Executive Director of Budget and Fiscal Oversight

Job Title:  Executive Director of Budget and Fiscal Oversight

Wage/Hour Status:  Exempt    

Paygrade: BU 9  

Reports to: Deputy Chief of Business and Finance                                                                                                                                         

Dept./School: Business, Finance & Administrative Services                    Initiated Date: September 2025            

WHO WE ARE

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year, legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district’s vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community. 

1. Customer Service
2. Trust & Transparency
3. High-Quality Instruction
4. Excellence in Leadership
5. Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit, schools as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

La Joya ISD seeks a results-oriented financial leader to serve as Executive Director of Budget and Fiscal oversight. The successful candidate provides strategic leadership over the district’s budget development, fiscal planning, grants compliance, and purchasing operations and will ensure the district’s budget process is rigorous, transparent, and strategically aligned to district priorities and goals.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a proven ability to lead complex budget processes and daily financial operations with accountability and accuracy.
• Brings expertise in Texas school finance, including state funding formulas and TEA requirements.
• Translates complex financial data into clear and actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Demonstrates strong stewardship of public funds, ensuring compliance and fiscal responsibility.
• Builds staff capacity, sets ambitious expectations, and supports continuous improvement within the finance team.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment, balancing short-term operational needs with long-term financial planning.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

La Joya Independent School District is more than a workplace—it’s a community grounded in pride, tradition, and purpose. Located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, La Joya ISD serves over 22,000 students across 30 campuses, with a steadfast commitment to Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student.

We are a district on the move—recognized across the state for our innovation in instructional leadership, nationally designated dual language programs, and award-winning extracurricular and athletic achievements. La Joya ISD continues to lead in progressive initiatives such as:

• Strategic use of financial forecasting, enrollment analysis, and budget modeling to anticipate challenges and support long-range planning.
• Streamlined business services that prioritize customer service, efficiency, and accuracy across budget, purchasing, and grants management.
• Ongoing commitment to strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance, and protecting district assets.
• Community-centered leadership that listens to stakeholders and reflects the culture, values, and aspirations of our families and staff.

As an anchor institution in the Rio Grande Valley, La Joya ISD offers leaders the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students' lives while helping shape the future of public education in Texas.

This is a place where high expectations meet strong support—and where transformational leaders thrive.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education/Certification
• Degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or related field (required).
• TASBO Certified School Business Official (CSBO) certification (preferred).
• Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of progressive financial leadership, including direct responsibility for budget management and financial reporting.
  • Experience in Texas public school finance or large, complex public-sector organizations preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in financial forecasting, compliance, and operational oversight.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of Texas Education Agency (TEA) standards for financial accounting, grant compliance, and purchasing regulations.
• Knowledge of TEA regulations, FASRG, and Texas Education Code (TEC) financial requirements
• Proficiency in federal/state grants management, EDGAR, and Uniform Guidance
• Deep understanding of school budgeting, fund accounting, and fiscal forecasting
• Familiarity with public procurement law (e.g., TEC §44.031)
• Skill in supervising teams, managing cross-functional projects, and fostering compliance
• Ability to interpret complex financial information for varied audiences
• Proficiency in financial systems.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Budget Development and Management

• Lead the development, administration, and monitoring of the district’s annual operating, capital, and grant budgets. 
• Lead the development and monitoring of revenue projections across all major fund sources, including state aid, federal revenue, and local tax collections.
• Monitor and adjust revenue estimates throughout the year based on enrollment trends, average daily attendance (ADA), property tax values, and legislative changes.
• Develop financial forecasts and multi-year budget models to support enrollment-driven staffing and long-term strategic planning.
• Oversee the administration of various funding sources to optimize resource allocation and support student achievement.
• Oversee the funding and position control process to ensure that every staffing action is tied to a properly authorized, budgeted position number, in coordination with Human Capital and Talent Development.
• Provide financial analysis and strategic recommendations to the Deputy Chief and Chief of Business and Finance.
• Monitor fund balance, budget amendments, and variance report to ensure fiscal integrity and compliance.

Grants Compliance and Monitoring

• Oversee the full lifecycle of federal, state, and local grants: application, budgeting, implementation, reporting, and close-out
• Ensure strict compliance with EDGAR, TEA, and federal funding guidance
• Track drawdowns, timelines, and allowability of expenditures across programs
• Oversee the coordination with program leaders to align funding with student achievement goals

Purchasing Oversight

• Oversee the overall strategy and compliance of the district’s procurement operations, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local regulations, including TEC §44.031 and the TEA Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG).

• Provide guidance and monitoring the execution of purchasing activities, including vendor management, bid solicitations, and internal controls.
• Oversee the development and coordination of RFPs, vendor relations, and cooperative purchasing strategies, ensuring alignment with budgetary goals and Board policies.
• Review and approve procurement recommendations, high-value contracts, and Board agenda items related to purchasing in collaboration with the Purchasing Supervisor.
• Promote consistency and transparency in procurement processes across departments and campuses by supporting training, documentation, and procedural updates.

Capital and Resource Planning

• Provide financial analysis and support for capital planning, including bond programs, facility projects, and long-term investments.
• Collaborate with district leaders to ensure enrollment trends and facility needs are supported by available resources.
• Monitor and report on capital budgets to ensure funds are used responsibly and as approved by voters.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor finance department staff, fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and service.
• Provide training and support to campus and department leaders on budget management and financial stewardship.
• Collaborate with district and campus leaders to ensure resources are effectively allocated to support student achievement.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Deputy Chief and Chief of Business and Finance.

Other Duties:  

• Collaborate with others in the Division to ensure alignment across budgeting, payroll, grants, and financial reporting operations.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Safety:

• Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment is in safe operating condition.
• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to supervisor.

 Supervisory Responsibilities

• Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.

 Personal Work Relationships

• All La Joya ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

 Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings, as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Position Working Days:
226 Days

NOTE:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities, and management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the job changes. Additionally, the minimum level of education notated as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) or license(s) as determined by the hiring manager.