Chief Investment Officer

⚠ IMPORTANT — Please Read Before Applying

This is a strategic advisory and financial leadership role — NOT a mortgage brokerage position. The CIO will not act as a mortgage broker, solicit borrowers for lenders, or negotiate financing on behalf of third parties for commission. All mortgage brokerage activity will be handled by separately engaged, state-licensed Florida professionals. Applicants who hold or intend to hold a mortgage broker license in connection with this engagement should disclose this upfront.

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Organizational Description

ISSTA is a planned K-12 private school campus in Lake Nona, Florida — one of the most forward-thinking education communities in the United States. Opening in September 2029, ISSTA will serve 630 students in Year 1, growing to 1,734 students by Year 6, including a boarding program for high school students from around the world.

ISSTA is built on three pillars: academic excellence (AP, Cambridge IGCSE/A Level, and IB Diploma pathways), AI integration as core curriculum, and one of the most comprehensive CTE programs offered by any K-12 school in Florida.

The campus spans two lots in Lake Nona and is designed to LEED Silver standards. We are currently in the pre-financing stage with a construction start targeted for September 2027 and school opening September 2029.

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Position Description:

ISSTA is seeking an experienced Chief Investment Officer (CIO) to lead the financial strategy for one of the most ambitious K-12 school development projects in Florida. The CIO will serve as ISSTA's senior financial advisor — responsible for designing, structuring, and overseeing the execution of two major construction and permanent financing transactions totaling approximately $143 million.

This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the financial architecture of an institution that will serve students and families for generations.

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The Relationship Advantage — Why This Matters

The ideal CIO brings an established network of Florida-based construction lenders, permanent mortgage lenders, and licensed mortgage brokers. These relationships are not a bonus — they are the core mechanism through which ISSTA financing strategy comes to fruition. A CIO who can make one call and get the right lender in the room is worth more than any financial model alone. Given ISSTA timeline — Loan 1 permanent financing targeting December 2029 and Loan 2 targeting April 2030 — building the right lender relationships from day one is critical. The relationship network with mortgage brokers and lenders is not a nice-to-have — it is the core deliverable.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Capital Formation & Financing Strategy

• Design and lead ISSTA's overall capital structure strategy for Loan 1, Loan 2, and long-term permanent financing
• Develop and maintain the financial model, pro-forma, and capital stack analysis supporting all lender presentations
• Identify and evaluate financing structures — construction loans, permanent mortgages, and refinancing scenarios
• Coordinate with properly licensed mortgage brokers, investment bankers, and legal counsel on all regulated financing activity
• Lead lender communications at the strategic level — presenting ISSTA's financial case, responding to lender inquiries, and managing relationships
• Structure the refinancing strategy for Loan 1 (~$82M permanent mortgage, December 2029) and Loan 2 (~$61M, April 2030)

2. Financial Modeling & Decision Support

• Review, refine, and maintain ISSTA's multi-year financial forecast and startup budget
• Build scenario analyses, sensitivity models, and KPI dashboards supporting Board-level decisions
• Ensure financial model reflects phased construction, enrollment ramp, boarding revenue, and debt service requirements
• Collaborate with ISSTA's external CPA on accounting, compliance, and financial reporting matters

3. Board & Governance Support

• Participate in selected Board meetings to present financial strategy, forecasts, and lender updates
• Prepare financial talking points, decision memos, and investment summaries for ISSTA leadership
• Support the CEO in all capital markets communications and investor relations

4. Advisor Coordination

• Serve as the strategic financial lead — coordinating with ISSTA's external CPA, legal counsel, real estate professionals, and architect
• Ensure all financing activities are executed by properly licensed professionals in compliance with Florida law
• Manage the timeline and milestones for both financing transactions from preparation through closing

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Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in real estate finance, construction finance, or institutional capital markets
• Demonstrated track record of successfully closing construction loans and/or permanent mortgage financing for institutional real estate or educational facilities
• Deep knowledge of Florida real estate finance markets, lender relationships, and capital stack structures
• Strong financial modeling skills — advanced Excel, pro-forma analysis, debt service modeling
• Experience presenting to lenders, institutional investors, and Board-level audiences
• Understanding of Florida mortgage brokerage laws and the distinction between advisory and brokerage roles
• MBA, CFA, or equivalent financial credentials preferred
• Established relationships with Florida-based construction lenders — commercial banks, credit unions, CDFIs, and institutional lenders who finance educational or institutional facilities
• Established relationships with permanent mortgage lenders familiar with K-12, higher education, or healthcare facility financing
• Established relationships with licensed Florida mortgage brokers who specialize in institutional or educational facility financing

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Preferred Qualifications:

• Active professional network of Florida lenders, brokers, and institutional financiers who can be engaged immediately upon start date
• Experience financing K-12, higher education, or healthcare facilities
• Existing relationships with Florida-based construction lenders, permanent mortgage lenders, or educational facility financiers
• Experience working alongside licensed mortgage brokers in a co-advisory capacity
• Familiarity with LEED-certified construction financing and green building incentives
• Experience with ground lease structures and leasehold mortgage financing

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In compliance with Florida law, the CIO will NOT:

• Act as a mortgage broker or engage in any mortgage brokerage activity
• Solicit borrowers for lenders or negotiate loan terms on behalf of third parties for compensation
• Replace or duplicate the role of a licensed mortgage broker — all regulated brokerage activity will be handled by separately engaged, state-licensed Florida professionals

All mortgage brokerage activity will be handled by separately engaged, state-licensed Florida professionals. The CIO leads strategy — licensed professionals execute the regulated transactions.

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How to Apply

Note: This is a syndicated job post. Fractional Jobs found it on the web, but we are not working with the client directly, so we don't have control over or knowledge of the application process. To apply, click on the "View Application" button and follow the application's instructions. Let us know how it goes!