2016 CAIS National Leaders Conference

The transition of the business officer at an independent school can be disruptive to the smooth operations of the school or it can lead to significant and important changes. This session will look at three key components in the business officer transition process: timing, succession planning, and the search process. Traditionally, business officers have been hired to start at the beginning of the fiscal year – July 1st in most cases. This session will look at case studies and evidence to suggest that this is not the optimum time for a new business officer to begin. Most business officers are hired externally – some from other independent schools, but most from outside the industry. Some school have been very successful with internal succession planning for this role. This must be a thoughtful and well executed strategy to be successful. The case studies presented will provide some guidance on best practices for the search process. Heads of Schools may not be in the best position to hire their next business officer. This is a position that they typically have little direct experience with the responsibilities. A search firm, or board members may bring value to this process.