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www.spencerstuart.com |
Punahou School
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Position and Candidate Specification
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
At the heart of Punahou School’s (the School’s) mission is the desire to nurture individuals with the curiosity, talent, and drive to improve the world around them. Punahou traces its founding in 1841 to the historical and cultural engagement of Native Hawaiians and Congregationalist missionaries and the rich educational heritage that evolved over time with the arrival of peoples from around the globe who attended, supported, and found a home at the School. Today, Punahou stands as one of the world’s leading independent K-12 institutions.
Along the way, Punahou has made history. Though the largest independent K-12 school in the United States on a single campus—with 3,770 students, 777 full-time employees and a global community of nearly 30,000 alumni—a Punahou education is intimate, guided by a philosophy of learning that emphasizes each student’s personal journey of exploration and self-discovery. In the words of U.S. President Barack Obama ’79: “There was something about this school that embraced me, gave me support and encouragement, and allowed me to grow and prosper.”
Punahou’s tradition of innovation is committed to realizing the full potential of each child through continual instructional renewal that reflects the changing times. Punahou students are not only accomplished academically; they pursue their curiosities and passions. They are guided by values of social responsibility and moral leadership, ultimately using their talents to lead purposeful lives that help to improve the human condition. Punahou graduates have gone on to become a U.S. President; Senators; decorated generals; Olympic medalists; Pulitzer, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award winners; global business leaders and entrepreneurs; educational pioneers; inventors; healers; presidential appointees; and more. Their achievements represent a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, social, and political life of our country and demonstrate how one institution’s educational vision and values can impact the world.
PEOPLE
People are Punahou’s greatest strength. From its talented students and passionate faculty and staff to its loyal alumni, families, and friends, the Punahou family is one of Hawai’i’s most enduring and vibrant communities of learning.
Every Punahou graduate remembers a teacher who changed their life. A healthy school attracts exceptional teachers and cultivates their intellectual curiosity, creativity, innovation, and collaboration—qualities that they, in turn, nurture and inspire in their students. Punahou is committed to sustaining a vibrant culture of professional renewal among faculty and staff while seeking new ways to engage a global community of educators, with whom they will reinvent the art of teaching.
A student body that is ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse enables children to question their own assumptions, gain new perspectives, and develop a creative, critical, and compassionate understanding of the world around them. Punahou attracts and admits bright, motivated, and talented students, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances, who will take full advantage of Punahou’s opportunities and who will enhance the School community.
PLACE
Few schools have a sense of place like Punahou. Sheltered by Honolulu’s Manoa Valley and nourished by the water of Ka Punahou, the New Spring, the breathtaking campus, is a gift, treasured by generations of students and adults for nearly two centuries. The lands of Punahou sustain a timeless connection to Hawai’i and the School’s own history. At the same time, Punahou’s island home in the midst of the Pacific Ocean and equidistant from four continents presents a unique opportunity to embrace a global perspective on shared problems and solutions.
Context is one of the conditions that make a transformative education possible. The diverse learning environments—from open spaces that develop a deep connection to nature, to historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities—are a physical expression of the School’s educational philosophy. Guided by its Campus Master Plan and supported by ambitious fundraising, Punahou has reimagined its 76 acres, inspired by the opportunities of a 21st-century education and anchored by a deeply rooted sense of place, with Ka Punahou at its center.
PURPOSE
Punahou’s mission has always been to prepare children not simply for college, but for life. Through a wide array of curricular and co-curricular choices that encompass world-class academics, arts, athletics, and innovative, real-world, interdisciplinary applications, Punahou’s remarkable breadth and depth help each child develop their potential.
A Punahou education develops values and character as much as it does intellectual or physical ability, preparing children for a lifetime of authenticity and meaning. Diverse in personality and interest, Punahou students also embody the core values central to their institutional culture: empathy, collaboration, creativity, resilience, innovation, social responsibility, global awareness, and moral leadership. The attentive cultivation of these values is what sets them apart in the world and what inspires Punahou graduates to a lifelong sense of personal and public purpose.
AT A GLANCE
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· Founded: 1841 · Grades: K-12 · Total Enrollment: 3,770 · Campus Acreage: 76 · Physical Plant: 64 buildings; over 1 million square feet · Total Full-Time Staff: 417 · Total Faculty: 360 · Annual Budget: $170 million · Endowment: $490 million · 2026-2027 Tuition: $34,230 · Students Receiving Financial Aid: 24%
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POSITION SUMMARY
A key member of the President’s leadership team, the Vice President (VP) of Finance and Operations (Vice President) serves as a critical strategic partner and trusted adviser to President Michael Latham, the senior leadership team, and the Punahou Board of Trustees.
The VP is the chief financial, business, and administrative officer of the School and provides guidance and leadership to ensure the efficient and effective stewardship of Punahou's financial, physical, and human resources in alignment with and support of the strategic goals and objectives of the School. This individual oversees all finance functions, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, long-range financial planning, asset management, liability management, and risk management. The VP is also responsible for a range of non-finance functions, including information technology (IT), facilities planning, development, operations, and grounds maintenance, human resources (HR), food services, the health center, campus security, and parent volunteer initiatives and legacy events to ensure alignment with the School’s mission.
The VP of Finance and Operations plays a vital role in supporting the collaborative, innovative culture of Punahou and will serve as a thought partner to colleagues as they engage in a campus master planning process and pursue programs to strengthen the programs of the School. As a key institutional leader, the VP will encourage bold thinking, bring wise counsel, and have an unwavering commitment to and understanding of the value of the education Punahou offers.
The VP attends all meetings of the Punahou Board of Trustees and works closely with the Board on several standing committees, including the audit, risk, and human capital committee; finance; investment; and buildings and grounds committees.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
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Reports To |
Michael Latham, Punahou School President |
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Direct Reports
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Assistant Treasurer/Controller Carnival Coordinator Chief Human Resources Officer Chief Information and Technology Officer Director, Physical Plant Director, Food Service Director, Health Center Director, Campus Safety and Security Executive Assistant Coordinator, Parent Faculty Association
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Other Key Relationships |
Board of Trustees Faculty and staff, parents, students, and alumni Members of the senior leadership team (including Academy Principal, Junior School Principal and Vice President for Institutional Advancement) |
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished finance and operations leader with notable executive experience in the private, public, and/or nonprofit sectors. They will have had positive, sustained impact in complex environments, where collaboration and influence management were critical to success. Ideally, they will have significant experience with and knowledge of the academic environment. In addition, they will have a track record that includes the following:
Senior Finance and Operations Experience
10+ years of experience providing strategic financial and operational leadership at a complex organization. Experience in a K-12 or higher education institution is preferred.
Strategic Planning
Experience serving as a strategic partner and advisor to a leadership team. Demonstrated experience seeing the broad implications—financial, operational, and human—of institutional decisions, in both the short- and long-term.
Leadership/Management Experience
Track record of developing, managing, and retaining a high-performing team characterized by open communication, collaboration, and accountability.
Technical and Analytical Acumen
Data-driven, with strong analytical skills and technical savvy, including expertise with and experience implementing enterprise-wide financial and enterprise risk management systems. Proven track record of leaning into technology and leveraging tools to enhance operational efficiencies.
Mission Orientation
Experience working in and/or appreciation for the values of an academic setting and/or a nonprofit organization. A deep appreciation for “place-based” learning and the culture and history of Hawai’i.
Strong Credentials
Academic credentials, including an M.B.A. or related graduate degree.
CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES
Strategic Financial Acumen
In an institution committed to excellence and evolution, the next VP will:
· Develop and lead Punahou’s long-term financial strategy in close partnership with the President and senior leadership team, ensuring alignment with the School’s mission and objectives.
· Provide multiyear financial modeling, scenario planning, and forward-looking analysis to support decisions, including capital priorities, program investments, and operational strategies. Advise on the financial implications of new initiatives, organizational changes, and external developments, balancing ambition with sustainability and assuring that resources are aligned with mission and priorities.
· Provide strategic oversight of the endowment and investment portfolio, ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability and alignment with institutional goals.
· Ensure financial systems, processes, and reporting evolve alongside strategy, strengthening clarity, transparency, and accountability. Ensure timely, accurate reporting and financial policies and practices that support the School’s leadership team.
· Ensure an informed, transparent process for decision making and make sure that they align with the School’s resources and priorities.
Operational Leadership
The next VP has oversight of a broad range of operational functions within the School and will:
· Leverage technology and bring a metrics-driven lens and a fundamental commitment to excellence to the development and improvement of operational systems. Ensure that operations are culturally aligned with the spirit and goals of the School, and inculcate a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
· Effectively lead, manage, and supervise a talented, multidisciplinary team; set high standards and model integrity for finance and operational staff across the organization, demonstrating managerial courage when necessary.
· Ensure the business office and other collaborating operational functions maintain a collegial, customer service-oriented, and proactive work environment.
· Oversee and drive the implementation of a comprehensive enterprise risk management system. Monitor the changing legal and regulatory environment and ensure compliance in all functions reporting to the VP.
· Be globally minded and culturally agile, with the ability to build diversity and instill and support values relating to equity and inclusion.
Collaborating and Influencing
As one of the senior leaders within Punahou, the next VP will:
· Be a strong team player with exceptionally high EQ, making it a key priority to develop relationships with academic and operational leaders and understand the perspectives of faculty and staff at all levels of the School.
· Achieve trusted advisor status with the senior leadership team, academic leaders, the Board, and external agencies. Be a strong partner who inspires and positively motivates others into action in support of the School’s agenda.
· Communicate effectively to educate a wide range of constituencies regarding Punahou’s financial and operational strategies and initiatives; be a visible, engaged presence on campus.
· Be accessible and responsive and serve others through collaborative problem-solving and openness to new ideas.
· Attract, develop, manage, and mentor a strong team of financial and operational talent. Set high standards, assess performance, and establish a high bar of excellence.
THE SEARCH PROCESS
A Vice President of Finance and Operations search committee will advise the President on the selection of Punahou’s next Vice President. The members of the search committee are actively seeking to identify the best candidates. To that end, they welcome your comments, inquiries, applications, and nominations. The committee has retained Spencer Stuart to support the search. If you wish to submit your own application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next Vice President of Finance and Operations of Punahou, please send an email with supporting materials to PunahouCFO@spencerstuart.com.
Punahou School, in accordance with state and federal laws, does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or other grounds protected under state or federal equal employment opportunity laws or regulations.