Deputy CFO

About the role

This position drives financial strategy, large-scale execution, and cross-department coordination for a rapidly expanding public charter school network. The Deputy CFO enables the CFO to direct financial strategy and execution for a high-scale, mission-focused education organization.

Leaders set direction and build the conditions for their teams to succeed. They hire, coach, and hold people accountable. Leadership work spans strategy, communication, and decision making. Effective leaders give clear context and remove obstacles for the people who report to them. Leadership roles are measured by team outcomes, retention, and delivery. Most organizations expect leaders to be visible, predictable, and generous with context.

Key facts

What you'll do

Financial modeling and forecasting support decisions for new ventures, investments, and operational improvements across the network.

Charter school regulations, funding mechanisms, and reporting requirements are researched to build subject-matter expertise.

Project scope is defined, milestones are set, cross-functional resources are coordinated, and stakeholder progress is communicated.

Information for meetings is synthesized and thorough briefings are prepared so the CFO is fully informed on all relevant topics.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field is required; an MBA is preferred.

A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in finance, investment banking, strategy, or consulting is required, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.

Expert analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills are demonstrated, with expertise in financial modeling and data analysis for education organizations.

Change and execution are led in a fast-paced, dynamic public charter school environment through strong project management skills.

Effective influence and collaboration at all levels across schools and departments rely on exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Practical notes

Success Academy Charter Schools does not offer employment-based immigration sponsorship for this role.

The listed location is New York, with expansion work extending to Florida.

Typical interview steps

Leadership hiring usually includes a strategy case, a people scenario, and a values conversation. Candidates may be asked to turn around a struggling team or plan for growth. Past results are examined closely, especially how decisions were made. Interviewers dig into specific decisions you made and their consequences. Preparing two or three decision stories with numbers and lessons is the best use of time.

Good to know

This role focuses on strategic finance, capital raising, and large-scale initiative execution in a mission-driven public charter school network.

The Deputy CFO collaborates closely with the CFO, FP&A team, and cross-functional leaders to align finance with school operations.

Success Academy employs data-driven decision-making to guide investments in schools and operational efficiency.

The role demands comfort with ambiguity and hands-on execution within a fast-growing education organization.

Strong written and verbal communication is essential for interfacing with board members, executives, and school leaders.

Questions to ask

Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.

Career growth

Leadership careers move from manager to senior manager, director, and executive roles. Each step adds more scope and more responsibility for outcomes. The best leaders keep learning how to delegate, communicate, and decide. Leadership careers reward a record of building and developing people. The higher you go, the more your communication shapes the whole organization.