Director, Finance

Position Overview:

The Director of Finance is responsible for the management and support of the school’s financial activities, systems and processes to achieve planned financial results and to safeguard its assets. This includes the development and maintenance of effective policies and procedures that support internal controls, mitigate risk and ensure the accuracy of Blake’s financial records. The Director of Finance owns the school’s banking relationships, provides financial oversight for multimillion-dollar construction projects, executes all endowment transactions and makes frequent presentations to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees.

The Director of Finance leads a team consisting of an Assistant Controller, Student Billing - A/R Accountant and an A/P Coordinator. This position works closely with the CFOO, school administration and Board of Trustees to help Blake deliver on its mission.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage the accounting, financial planning and analysis activities, including the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports in accordance with GAAP
• Demonstrate effective team leadership by being a good listener, investing in people, setting clear expectations, providing training, conducting performance reviews and helping the team grow
• Collaborate with the CFOO in preparation of the annual budget and long-range financial plans
• Monitor income, expenses and cash flow throughout the year and recommend actions to improve cash/asset utilization and operating results
• Coordinate with Institutional Advancement to ensure all gifts and pledges are properly recorded and expenditures are consistent with donor intent
• Work closely with the school’s endowment consultant to execute multimillion-dollar endowment transactions
• Actively participate in the Finance and Investment Committee meetings, including making periodic presentations to the Head of School and the Finance Committee
• Ensure all federal, state and local tax requirements are met, including the preparation of IRS Form 990 and sales tax filing
• Perform biannual debt compliance review and prepare surveys, compliance reports and financial analyses
• Manage the annual audit with the school’s outside audit firm
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures and rigorous controls by communicating and implementing these policies throughout the school
• Support stakeholders with timely and accurate analysis and recommendations to improve efficiency and to achieve control and accountability in all departments
• Administer the financial accounting software (Veracross)

Experience and Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate brings strategic financial skills, technical accounting acumen, and strong leadership and cross-functional relationship building capacity. Qualified candidates will be able to function in a fast-paced, high-energy environment of rapidly changing priorities with an ability to collaborate with many constituencies while maintaining a professional attitude and a sense of humor.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business with strong working knowledge of GAAP
• 7 years of experience in finance and accounting fields and 3 years of supervisory experience
• Financial acumen to include overall budget analysis and development, expense controls, financial modeling and financial reporting
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and unwavering commitment to Blake’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will have, in partnership with the CFOO, the responsibility for the school’s finances
• Experience in nonprofit accounting
• Exemplary team leadership skills, including proven leadership of a high-functioning team and evidence of strong cross-departmental collaboration
• Advanced analytical skills and attention to detail
• Proven ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships throughout the organization as well as with key external stakeholders
• Strong desire to continuously implement organizational improvements and seek personal and professional development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels, including non-finance managers

Preferred:

• Experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Knowledge of endowments, charitable trust accounting, fund accounting and accounting for restricted charitable contributions
• Experience with Veracross financial software
• Finance and accounting experience in an educational setting

Salary Range: $147,000 to $162,000

This salary range includes the expected annual salary for this position. In making a salary determination, we consider professional experience, applicable qualifications and other job-related factors. Based on these factors, a candidate's salary offer could exceed this range.

Disclaimer:

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. The duties and responsibilities in this job description may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling 1,277 bright, talented students from nearly 56 Twin Cities-area communities. Founded in 1900, The Blake School has the advantage of facilities and campuses designed for specific developmental ages. Blake's mission is to engage students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and a common set of values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as community and global citizens. The school community is also guided by its Commitment to Pluralism and values.

The Blake School believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals and communities. Diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, geography, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and marital, parental or economic status forms the fabric of our society. As a result of these beliefs, The Blake School actively seeks students, families and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission. In doing so, we recognize our responsibility to help make each person's experience a success. EOE.