Posting of Vacancy

Director of Finance and Operations

July 2023

The Director of Finance and Operations serves as the principal advisor to the Superintendent in matters related to finance, procurement, and budget. 

Summary Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Finance and Operations (“Director”) is responsible for all financial, and operational functions of the Falmouth Public Schools. The Director shall provide leadership and oversight in the areas of budget development, financial forecasting and planning, accounting, purchasing, bidding, and contracting, building maintenance and custodial oversight, transportation, nutrition, facilities use, safety, technology services, The Coalition for Children, and the Falmouth Community School. The Director is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective and efficient practices in all financial and operational divisions of the organization. The Director shall evaluate all operational department heads and business office personnel and build the necessary support systems to promote effective financial and operational management within each school. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree in a finance related field required; Master's Degree in an accounting/finance field preferred
2. Must have a Massachusetts School Business Administrator License and a minimum of three years of experience in an accounting/finance-related field
3. Computer skills with the ability to manage and create Excel or Google spreadsheets/charts, and multi-use financial applications
4. Experience and a working knowledge of online financial software
5. Strong analytical, computer, and communication skills to support database management, forecasting, cost-benefit analysis and decision-making activities
6. Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, school committee policies, and district procedures relating to finance, budgeting, and employment
7. Knowledge of sound management, budget planning and financial management principles and practices; labor relations and negotiations; public construction; municipal finance; contract vendors, and town charter and by-laws of a public school system
8. Personnel supervision experience
9. Excellent organizational, management, oral and written communications, and human relations skills
10. Such other alternatives as the Superintendent may deem acceptable and appropriate

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILL:

• Strong budget planning skills
• Knowledge of collective bargaining principles and practices
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Understanding of public school food services, school transportation, and building operations
• Understanding of Massachusetts General Laws relating to school business practices, school building assistance, and the Massachusetts procurement laws

SUPERVISES: Supervises and evaluates Business Office Staff, including payroll, benefits, purchasing, accounts payable, Transportation Director, Food Service Director, Director of IT & The Coordinator of Coalition for Children, and the Coordinator Falmouth Community School & After School Programs

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP: 

• Serve as a member of the district’s executive team and district leadership team, provide support to strategic planning efforts, and ensure that district resources are allocated in alignment with district and school strategic and improvement plan objectives. 
• Work collaboratively with the leadership team members to develop and advocate for the instructional and non-instructional priorities of the district. 
• Establish and maintain operational practices and procedures in all areas for which he/she has oversight and responsibility.
• Serve as a resource to the Superintendent and the School Committee to construct recommendations for budget-related issues and long-range financial forecasting. 
• Serve as the school department’s liaison to relevant Town of Falmouth financial and operational departments.

• Attend School Committee meetings and other meetings as assigned by the Superintendent.

• Provide support to Principals and other administrators as they carry out their budget, finance and operation. 
• Participate in MASBO and other professional development. 
• Perform other job-related duties as determined by the Superintendent of Schools. 

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS: 

• In collaboration with the Superintendent, Central Office Team, and Building Principals, develop a comprehensive annual budget document that displays proposed expenditures in a way that is understandable and easy to read, consistent with the district’s strategic plan and state and federal mandates. 
• Communicate and make accessible the district’s strategic financial plan to town officials and members of the community at large. 
• Maintain data systems and perform analyses as needed for projecting needs such as enrollment, historical financial data, and as required for special projections, negotiations with bargaining unities, and meetings. 
• Report regularly to the Superintendent and School Committee on matters relating to budget.
• Conduct, record, and provide financial information for the district’s annual and special audits. 
• Identify potential cost-saving measures within the financial and operational aspects of the district.
• Oversee all federal and state grant expenditures. 
• Oversee preparation of the end of the year report. 
• Prepare comparative district and state financial data to foster effective data-driven policy and program decisions, including financial projection based on various state and federal level funding proposals. 
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate the development of financial procedures that will assure a high degree of fiscal responsibility among principals and directors. 
• Project state aid and adjustments in state funding based on an in-depth understanding of the state's funding formula, relevant state laws and regulations, and proposed legislation. 
• Supervise, manage, train and evaluate all members of the business office, and assist in the supervision, management, training and evaluation of clerical staff involved in financial matters throughout the district. 

PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT:

• Administer purchasing and procurement of all materials and services in the district and ensure compliance with MGL Chapter 30B (Procurement Law) and auditing. 
• Supervise the approval of all purchase orders, in terms of internal accounting controls and propriety. 
• Review all bids and RFPs related to school district activities, supplies and construction projects prior to submission for the Town Purchasing department for processing. 
• Review and make recommendations on all contracts entered into by the school district. 
• Supervise the review and approve all payroll and accounts payable expenditures prior to signing by the School Committee & monitors school district revolving accounts and student activity accounts.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: 

• Assist the Town of Falmouth, School Committee and the Superintendent in long-range planning for the effective utilization of buildings and of building space.
• Facilitate communication among Town and School officials by effectively working with the city departments in long-range planning. 
• Supervise the development of and communicate and advocate for the school department's annual submission for the capital improvement plan. 
• Oversee custodial, maintenance and capital improvement of the schools and program facilities. 
• Work with the Director of Facilities to assess utility costs and pursue energy conservation efforts. Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations in all areas of operations. 
• Acts as Central Office liaison to all school building construction projects, including MSBA and locally-funding projects; provides leadership for the development of statements of interest, feasibility studies, and other MSBA process requirements; and works with MSBA on approved building projects. 
• Conduct regular inspections of the schools and oversees building rental/usage requests received from external users.

TRANSPORTATION, FOOD SERVICE, , AND OTHER OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Oversee delivery of transportation services, including routing, scheduling, contracts, and the collection of transportation fees when applicable. 
• Supervise, manage, train and evaluate support staff. 
• Oversee the management of nutrition services. 
• Supervise, manage, train and evaluate the Director of Food Services, and ensure effective management of food service staff. 
• Oversee the management of the services. 
• Provide leadership for the District Health and Safety Committee, including coordinating school and district security and emergency management planning with Information Technology, Facilities, the Police Department, and the Fire Department, and other relevant Town and School departments.

PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION: 

• Provide direction and leadership in all areas of Payroll Administration. 
• Partner with schools and district leaders to foster a culture of inclusiveness and achieve district

diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and objectives. 

• Ensure alignment and coordination between district and town Payroll functions to manage position control, personnel costs, and appropriate allocations. 
• Ensure payroll records are up to date and that payroll changes are processed in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Develop systems to improve the efficacy and efficiency of payroll information processes.
• Supervise, manage, train, and evaluate the payroll and benefits staff. 

REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  12 month position

SALARY: commensurate with experience 

Apply until filled to:

https://falmouth.tedk12.com/hire/Index.aspx

_{#FinOpDir24-1} Lori Duerr, Ed.D. Superintendent

EOE: