Amidst large growth, the School sought to appoint a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With a strategic focus on financial planning, risk management and operational efficiency, including the development and implementation of long-term financial strategies
The Brief
A leading independent school engaged Future Leadership to lead the executive search for a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The school had grown from around 1200 students to around 1700 students in 7 years. Amidst this growth, the School sought to appoint a CFO with a strategic focus on financial planning, risk management and operational efficiency, including the development and implementation of long-term financial strategies, the remit of the CFO was to also ensure a consistent and coordinated school-wide approach to planning and financial risk management.
Independent schools have complex funding arrangements and carry significant risk. The Board sought to appoint a CFO who would bring strong commercial acumen to navigate this and who would innovate and introduce new processes with good governance. It was important that the CFO had a humanistic approach as they would sometimes be managing difficult financial situations with families.
Candidate net Promote Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Senior Women Appointed since 2002
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
The Process
A detailed briefing with the school’s senior leadership team provided Future Leadership with clear and comprehensive insights into the scope of the role, as well as the background and experience desired in the ideal candidate. Future Leadership undertook a robust proactive search, across multiple industries, that focussed on individuals with proven experience developing and executing complex financial management and planning initiatives.
Applications were assessed against the selection criteria, followed by behavioural interviews with a Future Leadership consultant. Shortlisted candidates completed psychometric assessments, with a debrief on the results provided at the shortlist meeting by a Future Leadership Organisational Psychologist. The first round of panel interviews were held at the offices of Future Leadership. Following this, Future Leadership arranged for the preferred candidate to visit the College for further discussions with various Executives and Board Members. Future Leadership completed full reference and probity checks to the final appointment.
Emerging Capabilities
Emotional Awareness
Understands own emotions and drivers and how they impact self and others. Manages self in challenging or high stress situations. Adjusts behaviour to respond to difference in others to achieve effective outcomes.
Sustainability, Ethics and Integrity
Prioritises the environment in making decisions and leading others. Operates with integrity and aligns self to a high standard of social, cultural and professional standards of conduct. . Adheres to moral and ethical principles. Draws on values to inform behaviour.
Communication and Influence
Articulates messages with clarity and impact to build understanding, inspire action, persuade others and enable information exchange. Considers the audience and draws on different styles to create impact.
Innovation and Creativity
Demonstrates curiosity through challenging the status quo, expected norms, and workplace paradigms. Contributes new ideas, solutions, and perspectives to current challenges and thinking practices. Creates new products, solutions and opportunities and identifies opportunities for improvements.
Strategy and Purpose
Develops and leads strategy for the function /organisation, taking a broad and long-term perspective. Understands and considers context. Communicates and gains buy-in to the function/organisation goals, direction and vision, promoting change initiatives.
Commercial Acumen
Provides a deep understanding of relevant industry, marketplace and business drivers as applicable to the organisation. Leverages the application of commercial tools and frameworks to manage opportunities, conflicts and trade-offs.
The Outcome
The successful candidate appointed to the CFO role commenced in January 2025. They presented as a CA with extensive finance and business partnering experience in Australia and the UK. The incumbent joined the College after having worked at Jetstar and Qantas Group for several years, and prior to that in Professional Services and Media. Throughout their career, they gained a strong understanding of operational and commercial objectives and has delivered to ambiguous and at times competing strategic objectives.
