Director of Finance and Operations
Please download the opportunity statement, which contains information about Crane Country Day School and the position, as well as required application materials to prepare in advance. All applications must be submitted online. Please review the How to Apply section below for further application instructions.
SUMMARY
Founded in 1928, Crane Country Day School is an independent kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8) day school in Santa Barbara, California, where approximately 275 students and 60 “Staffulty” (a term many schools use for teachers and administrators working together as one team) share a 12-acre campus. Guided by a mission to thrive as a community that builds character and confidence while celebrating the joy in learning, Crane offers an innovative, rigorous, and experiential program in which students’ social and emotional growth matters as much as their academic progress.
Crane seeks a Director of Finance and Operations to provide strategic financial stewardship and lead the operational functions that support the school each day. Reporting to the Head of School and partnering closely with the Board’s Finance Committee Chair, the Director will supervise four direct reports: the Controller, Accounts Manager, Director of Facilities, and Campus Safety Officer. The Director also works in close partnership with the school’s part-time Human Resources (HR) Lead, who reports to the Head of School, on matters where finance, operations, and people intersect.
The ideal candidate is calm, responsive, organized, and ready to act; someone who knows what is urgent, what can be delegated, and what can wait; and who is energized by improving systems rather than simply maintaining them. Leaders from a broad range of educational, nonprofit, and business sectors who are drawn to Crane’s mission are encouraged to apply.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Priority Deadline: December 2, 2026
Application Review Period: December–January
On-site Final Round: Late January 2027
Decision Announced: Early February 2027
Start Date: First or second quarter of 2027; later start dates may be considered, but no later than July 1, 2027
Reports To: Head of School
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Annual Salary Range: $200,000–$220,000
We invite you to watch our video interview with Joel Weiss, Head of School at Crane, who shares insights into his background, Crane’s close-knit community, and the collaborative partnership he hopes to build with the next director of finance and operations.
We invite you to watch our video interview with Joel Weiss, Head of School at Crane, who shares insights into his background, Crane’s close-knit community, and the collaborative partnership he hopes to build with the next director of finance and operations.
How to Apply
- If you have not done so already, download the opportunity statement.
- Prepare your application materials, which are described on the last page of the opportunity statement.
- Click on Apply Now, which will take you to our application portal, where all applications will be processed.
- Follow the instructions on that application portal to upload your documents.
- Applications received on or before December 2 will receive priority review.