DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL Concord, California
VI CE PR ESIDENT FO R FINANC E Position Begins: July 2022
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MISSION De La Salle High School is a Roman Catholic educational community where students are loved, instructed, and guided according to the traditions of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the charism of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Founder of the Brothers and Patron of Teachers.
De La Salle High School provides a Lasallian Catholic education rooted in a liberal arts tradition which prepares young people for life and college. The School seeks to educate students spiritually, academically, physically and socially through the promotion of a vital faith life, sponsorship of strong academic programs, a wide range of student activities, and the witness of a concerned and dedicated faculty, administration and staff. De La Salle High School recognizes and promotes the dignity of each student by providing an environment that is moral, caring, and joyful. Within such a setting, the School seeks to challenge its students to serve others, especially the poor, and deepen a sense of responsibility for humanity's future. De La Salle High School seeks to serve and embrace students with varied academic needs and diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. It does so in partnership with families and all those who are committed to living the Lasallian heritage.
POSITION DESCRIPTION As a member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President for Finance is a strategic thought partner to the President and other Vice Presidents. The Vice President for Finance has primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial-related activities of the School, including direct responsibility for accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning execution, budgeting, legal, human resources, and risk management. The Business Office includes an Accounting Clerk, Controller, and Director of Human Resources. The Vice President for Finance also oversees the operations of Facilities, Technology, the Bookstore, and the Cafeteria. DLSHS.org
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POSITION OBJECTIVES This position is responsible for strategically managing De La Salle’s financial strategy and contributes to the creation of the organization’s strategic goals. De La Salle is in a solid financial position, and is looking for a leader who will make us even stronger. In addition to the strategic components, the Vice President for Finance is charged with creating and implementing policies and procedures both in the finance and general operational realms. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with operational experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join a high-growth, missiondriven organization.
In particular, the Vice President for Finance should consider how s/he would: • Be able to balance the day-to-day needs of the School while at the same time being a strategic, long-range thinker • Be a strong mentor and coach to various teams with diverse levels of expertise and experience • Devise actionable and effective strategic directions to ensure the School’s financial sustainability and use the School’s strong financial position to capitalize on future growth • Provide strong, dynamic, administrative leadership and foster a collegial environment with multiple constituents such as colleagues, Board members, the Finance Committee, the District of San Francisco New Orleans, and the Diocese of Oakland • Lead process improvement and service excellence across departments, ensure effective coordination and consultation with appropriate school parties, and work collaboratively with other leaders on initiatives that advance the mission and strategic priorities of De La Salle • Launch and lead various initiatives which result from the Strategic Plan, Campus Master Plan, the recommendations made in the accreditation process, and the Lasallian Catholic Assessment Process DLSHS.org
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PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES The Vice President for Finance needs to be a dynamic and visionary leader with outstanding communication skills, a collaborative work style, and a servant leader heart. A strong candidate can demonstrate and evidence:
• Business degree required; MBA, CMA, or CPA preferred • Five (5) years experience in a senior management role ideally with roles in financial and business management and leadership in a non-profit or for profit organization • Experience in a Catholic or independent school’s fiscal management preferred • Experience in preparation of financial statements and other financial reports • Experience in human resources management, employee benefit programs, personnel policy creation, and administration • Experience reviewing and executing legal contracts • Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within an organization • Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills, result oriented, and self-reliant • Strong mentoring and coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise; superior management skills • Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask • Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives. • Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, De La Salle Trustees and donors, and staff • Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as a strategic thinker • Passion for the Lasallian Catholic mission of De La Salle High School, and all-boys education DLSHS.org
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PROGRAMS AND PERSONNEL OVERSEEN BY THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE The Vice President for Finance provides leadership and oversight for the financial and operational needs of the school. While the emphasis of this role is finance, it includes responsibilities for managing a breadth of staff functions and requires an individual who is both strategic and tactical. The Vice President for Finance is responsible for ensuring the short and long-term financial objectives of De La Salle are fulfilled and the School’s financial position continues to strengthen. • Cafeteria • Campus Bookstore • Campus Safety and Security • Facilities • Technology
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THE STUDENTS OF DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL De La Salle High School students come from 49 zip codes, and four different counties. De La Salle students are ethnically diverse, with 50 percent of students selfreporting to be a person of color. Nearly 40 percent of our student body receives some amount of tuition assistance with the average award covering half of tuition. On average, 99 percent of students matriculate to college annually, the average being 86 percent to a four-year institution and 13 precent to a two-year institution.
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS AND IDENTITY
De La Salle High School provides a Lasallian Catholic education rooted in a liberal arts tradition which prepares young people for life and college. The School seeks to educate students spiritually, academically, physically, and socially through the promotion of a vital faith life, sponsorship of strong academic programs, a wide range of student activities, and the witness of a concerned and dedicated faculty, administration and staff. Athletics: Over 75 percent of students participate in one or more of the School’s 15 sports. The De La Salle athletic program teaches students leadership, teamwork, perseverance, confidence, and the competitive skills needed for success in all areas of life.
Bishop Cummins Program: The Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program is our comprehensive program to ensure that students from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds have the opportunity to experience educational excellence. The Cummins Scholarship Program provides significant tuition assistance, additional financial support for many incidentals, and a challenging and supportive learning environment. Bishop Cummins Scholars are offered the opportunity to succeed, and taught the skills and habits that make academic success possible. DLSHS.org
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Band Program: The functions of a performing musical ensemble are to provide the opportunity for every student to improve and expand upon their individual musical skills, to function successfully as a member of an ensemble, and to apply these acquired skills in performance situations outside the rehearsal environment. De La Salle currently offers students the opportunity to participate in Concert Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band. Company: De La Salle has a wonderful Theatre Arts program, which includes academic theater courses and the after school club Company, that jointly serves De La Salle and Carondelet High Schools. Traditionally, Company has two on-stage performance each school year, one in the fall and spring semesters, one of which is usually a musical play. Additionally, De La Salle and Carondelet students participate in the 24-Hour Plays at the end of the spring semester.
Fabrication Room: Over the past few years, De La Salle has been investing in the hands-on learning of students interested in the arts, robotics, and engineering. The new Fabrication Room is the culmination of this investment. With expanding interest in the robotics program, technical theater, sculpture, and engineering classes, we needed one room that was dedicated to the use of tools and machinery in all of these disciplines. Shared between theater set building, metal and wood sculpture making, and robotics, this room is a collaborative space for those interested in fabrication, woodworking, metal working and electronics. We are excited for the expanded opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration between disciplines this room provides to our students.
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Les Hommes de Foi: De La Salle has a phrase which captures its identity: Men of Faith. This is intended to capture what makes De La Salle unique from other schools, and as a Lasallian Catholic school it encompasses our five core principles: Faith in the Presence of God; Quality Education; Respect for All Persons; Concern for the Poor and Social Justice; and Inclusive Community. Mock Trial: This interdisciplinary course, which an experienced trial attorney teaches, is designed to allow students to acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop public speaking and debate skills, and have hands-on courtroom experience. Central to this course is the California Mock Trial Program.
Retreats, Immersions, and Ministry: Campus Ministry takes very seriously the Lasallian call to faith, service, and community. Through retreats, immersion programs, and opportunities for worship and prayer, the faith life of the community is enhanced. From Kairos to VENAVER opportunities, De La Salle students are called to put into action the mission statement’s words to serve and to lead. By providing opportunities to serve those less fortunate than ourselves, De La Salle High School responds to the Gospel’s call to service.
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HISTORY OF DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL De La Salle High School is a private Catholic high school for young men founded in 1965 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers of the District of San Francisco New Orleans. Our roots extend more than 300 years to 17th century France and our Founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, who had a very simple vision of education: the graduates of his Christian schools would be mature, responsible members of society and the Church. De La Salle, which can accommodate 1,050 students, is located 30 miles east of San Francisco, and primarily serves students of Contra Costa County, on nearly 20-acres.
As a part of the Diocese of Oakland, De La Salle is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). De La Salle serves a variety of students from Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda Counties. DLSHS.org
FAST FACTS Founding Year 1965
Total Enrollment in 2021-22 1,028 Zip Codes Served 49
Tuition Assistance Awarded for 2021-22 $4.1 million Tuition Assistance # and % 379 students; 37% of students Size of Campus 20 acres
Tuition 2021-22 $21,060
Operating Budget $22.7 million Endowment $29 million
Accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) Lasallian Catholic Heritage Lasallian District of San Francisco New Orleans and the Diocese of Oakland 9
TO APPLY Interested and qualified candidates should apply online, and include the following materials: • A thoughtful cover letter expressing interest in this particular position; • A current résumé; • A statement about any financial initiatives you have introduced and led and/or how you would approach the position of Vice President for Finance at a Lasallian Catholic school; • A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established and not without the candidate’s permission).
SEARCH TIMELINE Initial Review of Applications - Beginning in March First and Second Round Interviews - March - April Selection - April - May DLSHS.org
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