Position Summary
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the District’s senior executive responsible for financial strategy, stewardship, operations, and assurance. Reporting directly to the Superintendent and serving as a key member of the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet, the CFO advises the Superintendent and Board of Directors on the District’s financial condition, long-range outlook, risks, opportunities, and the financial implications of strategic and operational decisions.
The CFO leads the Financial Services division and is accountable for accurate, timely, transparent, and compliant financial operations. The role aligns resources with the District’s Strategic Framework and educational priorities; builds organizational financial capacity; develops a high-performing, service-oriented team; and advances systems and practices that strengthen fiscal sustainability, operational excellence, and public trust.
Lake Washington School District is committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all students and staff. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life experiences who share our commitment to educational excellence and equity. We especially encourage applications from individuals who have been historically
Executive Leadership Expectations
The CFO is expected to bring both technical depth and executive judgment. The successful leader will:
Strategic Framework Alignment
The CFO will translate the District’s values and strategic commitments into financial leadership and daily practice:
Equitable & Just Systems
Use accurate fiscal analysis and transparent resource-allocation processes to identify barriers, support equitable and consistent access and opportunity, and clearly explain the impacts of significant decisions. Bring integrity, curiosity, and inclusive engagement to the evaluation of needs, options, and outcomes.
Inclusive & Rigorous Learning
Connect financial plans and investments to student learning, whole-student development, future readiness, and the capacity of schools and staff to provide inclusive, rigorous experiences. Engage instructional and operational partners in understanding priorities, tradeoffs, and results.
Integrated Sustainability
Balance immediate needs with long-term financial health, responsible stewardship of public resources, workforce and organizational capacity, lifecycle costs, and the sustainability of District programs, facilities, systems, and commitments. Advance resource conservation management and environmental sustainability by evaluating proposed updates and modifications for environmental benefit, cost-effectiveness, lifecycle performance, and a responsible return on investment.
Operational Excellence
Establish reliable and responsive financial services through clear expectations, strong internal controls, accurate and accessible reporting, effective technology, collaborative problem-solving, and continuous improvement. Model accountability, innovation, learning, and follow-through.
Leadership Characteristics
Strategic and Systems-Minded
Connects financial decisions to teaching, learning, operations, workforce, facilities, technology, and long-term organizational health.
Curious and Learning-Oriented
Seeks context, studies unfamiliar issues, asks insightful questions, and updates thinking when evidence changes.
Courageous and Constructive
Raises concerns directly and respectfully, offers alternatives, and does not allow avoidable risks or weak assumptions to go unexamined.
Aligned and Dependable
Understands the distinction between debate and decision; once a decision is final, communicates and implements it consistently and effectively.
Precise and Thorough
Maintains high standards for accuracy, documentation, controls, analysis, and follow-through.
Transparent and Accessible
Makes complex matters understandable, distinguishes known facts from assumptions, and communicates uncertainty honestly.
Collaborative and Inclusive
Listens to understand, honors differing expertise and perspectives, and builds shared ownership across the organization.
Accountable and Ethical
Acts with integrity, safeguards public resources, protects confidentiality, owns outcomes, and models responsible stewardship.
Composed and Adaptive
Maintains perspective and sound judgment under pressure, adjusts to changing conditions, and helps others navigate ambiguity.
Service-Oriented
Designs Financial Services to be responsive, consistent, solution-focused, and supportive of schools and departments.
