What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Finance position at Gross Schechter Day School?
We are seeking an experienced Director of Finance. GSDS serves over 260 students from infancy through eighth grade, with an annual operating budget of approximately $6 million and a staff of about 80 full- and part-time professionals.
The ideal Candidate will be available no later than January 2027 and is well prepared and eager to fulfill the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
- Report to and work closely with the Head of School
- Liaison and interface with as well as report out to the Board Treasurer, Finance Committee and the full Board of Trustees.
- Liaison and interface with donors and Investment Committee members.
- Liaison, interface and assure compliance where applicable with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, The Jewish Education Center and all major donor constituencies.
- Provides HOS and Board of Directors with information vital to the decision-making process.
- Manage the school wide budgeting and ongoing management aligned to budget.
- Finance and Accounting Systems
- Responsible for communication with and requirements of the school’s insurers and policies.
- Coordinating activities of external auditors.
- Planning, directing and coordinating all accounting operational functions.
- Manage state funds and scholarships Managing the accumulation and consolidation of all financial data necessary for an accurate accounting of consolidated business results.
- Coordinating and preparing internal and external financial statements.
- Assessing current accounting operations, offering recommendations for improvement and implementing new processes.
- Evaluating accounting and internal control systems.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of accounting software and supporting databases as needed.
- Developing and monitoring business performance metrics.
- Overseeing regulatory reporting, frequently including tax planning and compliance.
- Human Resources:
- Liaison with teachers and staff in regards to all matters related to payroll.
- Managing the 403b process with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the frozen 403b Gross Schechter plan.
- Oversee and manage contractual relationships with fractional human resources firm, People Architects, and school nurse staffing firm, PSI.
- Business Office Management:
- Supervise and provide support to the finance team members and office manager.
- Provide customer service assistance and education to parents in regards to their tuition and financial assistance matters.
- Hiring, training and retaining skilled office, bookkeeping and accounting staff and contractors.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five years of relevant experience required.
- Experience in not for profit accounting.
- Experience in an independent school setting.
- Experience supervising and developing staff.
- Experience working closely with trustees, donors and key lay leaders.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
- Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or professional accreditation such as certified public accountant (CPA) preferred.