Executive Director of Financial Service

Function / Position Summary

To develop, implement and maintain business systems, processes and procedures and enhance staff efficiency to effectively manage District fiscal resources and ensure integrity of detailed financial data. Provide supervision, training and support for accounting, grants management, payroll, procurement and accounts payable staff and work collaboratively with Operations and Human Resources staff.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Assess expenditure trend information and identify potential options for required adjustments.
• Develop fund analysis and revenue projections.
• Assist Deputy Superintendent and Comptroller with budget analysis to facilitate budget development process.
• Ensure grant funding is managed and expended appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Provide guidance and oversite to the procurement team as it relates to bidding, RFP’s and RFQ’s
• Ensure risk management plan is developed and adhered to by all staff
• Advise Cabinet members and department heads regarding budget trends, scenarios and likely impacts of changing in funding and/or expenditure levels.
• Manage compensation budget including developing negotiation costing model and assumptions.
• Advise on design of budget monitoring reports and process.
• Oversee preparation of information in support of regular and year financial reports (e.g.Board, external partners, annual, CAFR).
• Review and approve all reporting to funding sources or other third parties.
• Resolve budget compliance issues and make adjustments to financial management processes and communicate concerns regarding potential budget issue areas.
• Manage cash flow and assist COO to proactively manage budget.
• Provide direction and accountability for financial and related processing (i.e. payroll, payables, receivables, accounting) and systems to ensure integrity of data, and efficiency and responsiveness of the fiscal management process.
• Develop reconciliation procedures and reports to verify accurate and timely disbursement of vendor and payroll liabilities.
• Conduct critical financial oversight tasks (i.e. approve bank reconciliations, approve journal entries, payroll authorization backup).
• Assess process improvement opportunities and innovatively use technology to enhance controls, efficiency and responsiveness of processes including enhancement of self-service options for staff and parents.
• Facilitate collaborative efforts between financial functions and finance and other departments to ensure efficient processes.
• Develop cost allocation methodologies and fee setting approaches for internal services and services to the District students and parents.
• Design internal audit programs for student accounts, accounts payable, general accounting, procurement and payroll functions and coordinate third party financial audits at year end.
• Identify and resolve issues relative to noncompliance by schools and other departments relative to financial processes (e.g. procurement, accounts payable).
• Oversee preparation of the annual TRS reports and supplementary reports.
• Act as contract manager for third-party agreements for outsourced fiscal processes.
• Coordinate distributions of funds by third-party administrators for medical/dental and flexible benefit plans.
• Assist/participate in bargaining unit negotiations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent of Operations.

Education

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field strongly preferred
• IL Professional Educator’s License with Chief School Business Office endorsement required or obtainable within one year
• The knowledge, skills and abilities listed above are typically acquired through the levels of education and experience listed. However, any equivalent combination of education and/or experience, which provide an applicant with the listed knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position may be acceptable.

Experience / Knowledge

• Five years financial experience within an education setting strongly preferred.
• Five years supervisory experience within an education setting strongly preferred
• Thorough knowledge of government and/or school fund accounting.
• Extensive experience with public sector accounting and school or related business operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects and tasks under strict deadlines.
• Outstanding integrity and ability to claim a high level of previous fiduciary responsibility and demonstration of sound professional ethics.
• Excellent interpersonal and strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated performance in cross department collaboration and problem solving.
• Hands-on orientation, strong organizational skills, and an extremely strong attention to detail balanced with the ability to see the big picture.
• Ability to provide direction and fulfill supervisory responsibilities for a medium scope operation.
• Ability to set goals and establish methods for achieving them.
• Able to accept rapid changes and interruptions on a daily basis.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and follow project through to completion.
• Able to handle sensitive employee data and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Proficiency in navigating critical financial applications.
• Aptitude to translate technology application functionality into process efficiencies and improvements.
• Proven ability with effective process design and improvement, and interdepartmental.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a fast paced and stressful environment.
• Ability to work on a computer over a major portion of the work day.

Terms of Employment

• This is a 12-month work year position. Salary and benefits as established by the Board of Education.
• The full salary range for this position is $137,808.00 - $206,700.00. Our typical practice is to hire in between the minimum and midpoint.