Job Description:

Job Description: Chief Financial Officer

Anticipated Start Date: Spring 2027 (Flexible)

Salary and Benefits: Compensation will be commensurate with experience and education.  The anticipated total compensation range for this position is $150,000 - $180,000. The Vail District offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, life insurance, disability, Arizona State Retirement System, and a robust paid time off package to include 4 weeks vacation, 12 days sick, and 16 paid holidays.

About the Vail Unified School District:

The Vail Unified School District is a nationally recognized leader in public education. Covering 425 square miles southeast of Tucson, our district supports 15,000+ students across 23 schools. Powered by a team of 2,300 dedicated employees, Vail stands as a pioneer of educational innovation, guiding school districts nationwide through our renowned Beyond Textbooks instructional model.

Our commitment to excellence shows:

• 5 National Blue Ribbon School Awards
• 47 A+ School Awards
• 10 Principals of the Year
• 2026 Public School Governing Board of the Year
• 2026 Large School District Superintendent of the Year
• 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year

While we are proud of our awards, our true heart lies in our culture. Guided by our ACT Statement and core values, we create safe, supportive, and inspiring school communities where students thrive. We live, work, and serve by these principles and deeply believe in our motto that Vail is a District “Where Education is a Community Effort.”

Located in beautiful Southern Arizona, Vail has year-round sunshine, open skies, and the iconic Sonoran Desert landscape. Nestled next to Saguaro National Park, the outdoors are built right into your daily life in Vail. Just 25 miles southeast of downtown Tucson, Vail offers a high-desert retreat with stunning views and mild winters. Combined with a close-knit community feel, and easy access to big-city amenities, Vail isn't just a place to work, it’s a place to live exceptionally well.

An Exceptional Leadership Opportunity

The Vail Unified School District is seeking an exceptional financial leader to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer.

We are seeking a CFO who brings outstanding professional expertise, exceptional integrity, and a genuine commitment to people and relationships. The successful candidate will be a trusted member of the District's executive leadership team and will play a critical role in ensuring Vail's continued success.

As a trailblazer in Arizona public education, the Vail School District offers an exceptional opportunity for an innovative financial executive to help shape the future of learning. In this role, you will lead the district’s long-term fiscal strategy, driving forward-thinking solutions alongside collaborative partners who are fiercely committed to student success.

About the Position

The Chief Financial Officer serves as a member of the Superintendent's executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership for the District's financial operations.

The CFO works closely with the Superintendent, Governing Board, principals, directors, and other District leaders to ensure financial resources are managed responsibly and aligned with the District's mission and priorities.

The position includes oversight of financial planning, budget development and management, accounting and reporting, financial compliance, and other assigned business operations.

The CFO will also play an important role in supporting the District's capital planning, facilities needs, and long-term financial sustainability.

The Leader We Are Seeking

Our next CFO must be more than an accomplished financial professional. We are looking for a leader who understands that the ultimate purpose of sound financial management is to support the schools, employees, students, and families we serve.

Vail Culture, Relationships, and Service

This is an especially important dimension of this leadership role.

Vail's success has been built upon strong relationships and a shared commitment to serving others. Our next CFO must understand, embrace, and contribute to this culture.

We seek someone who:

• Builds authentic, trusting relationships with principals, directors, District leadership, employees, and community.
• Views the Finance Department as a partner in supporting schools and helping others succeed.
• Is approachable, responsive, collaborative, innovative and solutions-oriented.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication and active listening skills, fostering open dialogue and seamless collaboration to resolve challenges constructively. 
• Understands and embraces Vail's values and traditions.
• Models the District's ACT Statement: “In the Vail Schools we: Are respectful and trustworthy. Care about each other. Take responsibility.”

Technical Expertise

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in financial management, budgeting, financial reporting, and long-range planning.
• Knowledge of public school finance, including Arizona state and federal funding, audits, procurement, and financial compliance.
• The ability to analyze complex financial information and communicate it clearly to educational leaders, the Governing Board, and the community.
• Experience developing financial strategies that support organizational priorities, responsible stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
• Knowledge of Arizona school finance, or the demonstrated ability to quickly develop expertise in Arizona's school funding and accountability systems.

Leadership Ability

We seek a leader who:

• Builds and leads strong, effective teams grounded in trust, accountability, and mutual respect.
• Develops the professional capacity of employees and invests in their continued growth.
• Encourages collaboration, shared problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Understands that effective leadership involves both high expectations and genuine care for people.
• Contributes to the success of the District's broader leadership team.

Integrity and Judgment

The CFO must demonstrate:

• Unquestioned personal and professional integrity.
• Exceptional judgment and the courage to provide honest, thoughtful counsel, including when conversations are difficult.
• Transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
• The ability to balance financial realities with organizational needs while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
• A commitment to earning and maintaining the trust of colleagues, the Governing Board, and the community.

What you bring:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.
• Experience: Minimum of (8) years of progressive finance experience including at least five (5) years in leadership roles.
• Strong communication, organizational leadership, and analytical skills.
• A record of professional integrity and sound judgment.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Experience in public school district financial leadership.
• Knowledge of Arizona public school finance and applicable financial regulations.
• Experience in a complex academic organization.
• Relevant professional credentials.

A Thoughtful Leadership Transition

Our current CFO will retire on June 30, 2027, following a distinguished period of service to the District.

Vail is conducting this search well in advance of that retirement to support a thoughtful and successful leadership transition.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity for a planned period of collaboration and knowledge transfer with the current CFO during the spring of 2027. The precise start date is flexible based on the selected candidate's circumstances and the District's needs.

Application and Inquiries:

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process.

Interested candidates should submit:

• A letter of interest explaining their qualifications and interest in serving the Vail Unified School District.
• A current résumé reflecting relevant professional and leadership experience.
• Professional references, including individuals familiar with the candidate's leadership, professional integrity, board relationships, and financial expertise.
• A completed District employment application.

Priority Application Deadline: November 25, 2026. Initial review of applications will begin as applications are received. Applications submitted by the priority deadline will receive full consideration. The position may remain open until filled.

Questions: Inquiries may be addressed to Laura Emslie, Director of Human Resources, at emsliel@vailschooldistrict.org, 520-879-2018.

The Vail Unified School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.