Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer

Position Title: Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operations Officer

Immediate Supervisor: Superintendent

Summary: Directs, implements and maintains the District’s fiscal programs and services. Provides leadership in administering the school district operations, specifically in the areas of support services to include: Buildings and Grounds, Food Service, and Transportation. Advises the Superintendent and School Board on the financial, budgetary, and operational matters of the District.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Oversee the preparation and management of the annual budget in accordance with District financial goals.
• Guide the development of long-term capital projects and the appropriate financing methods.
• Ensure compliance with bond and debt related issues.
• Direct and monitor District financial operations to maintain, control and analyze full adherence of Board Policies and procedures.
• Direct the receipt, and management of investments and expenditures of the District’s funds to insure proper and maximum returns on these funds.
• Research financial information and related legal issues (e.g. discrepancies, current legislative trends, etc.) to evaluate compliance requirements and potential implication on District operations.
• Analyze a variety of financial information (e.g. budget formulas, legal guidelines, budget variance, cost projections, etc.) to provide required fiscal direction and support, make recommendations, maximizing use of funds, and/or ensuring overall operations are legally compliant and within budget parameters.
• Develop strategic (long and short range) plans (e.g. enrollment projections, bond/levy, policies, procedures, staffing, forms/materials, equipment, etc.) to ensure that organizational objectives are achieved in the most efficient and timely manner.
• Assists in developing goals, objectives and policies for the Buildings and Grounds, Food Service, and Transportation departments which facilitate and support improved learning and achievement for all students.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the Superintendent and make legal, actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Partner with the technology Director to procure IT systems that meet the needs of the District.
• Advise Superintendent on issues and/or problems to provide information for making knowledgeable decisions that are legally compliant.
• Provide information, advice, assistance and recommendations to the Superintendent and Board of Education.
• Assume leadership role on the Superintendent’s Cabinet with issues pertaining to long range strategic planning, policies and other activities.
• Assist members of Cabinet with financial matters as necessary, in preparing budget estimates and in determining cost for new, expanded or reorganized programs.
• Act as an advisor to the leadership team, evaluating and assisting with budgeting and economic modeling.
• Lead and engage the District finance/audit committee around issues, trends, and changes in the operating models and operational delivery. Assist in establishing yearly objectives and meeting objectives and selecting and engaging outside consultants (auditors, investment advisors, etc.).
• Facilitate meetings that may frequently involve a wide range of issues (e.g. financial procedures, regulatory requirements, community involvement, actions involving outside agencies, interdepartmental needs, etc.) to identify appropriate actions, develop recommendations, supporting other staff and serving as the District representative.
• Prepare and present a wide variety of materials in written, oral and electronic formats (e.g. annual budgets, budget overviews, accounting processes, financial statements, reports for the Board, Superintendent, department administrators, etc.) to document activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, and/or providing supporting materials for requested actions.
• Provide leadership for the development, maintenance, enhancements and continual improvement to the District’s business systems.
• Act as the District’s representative on statewide school finance committees. Provide advice to the District’s lobbyist on all school finance legislation.
• Direct the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and other reports as required by the Board of Education and state and federal agencies to assure compliance with the law.
• Provide costing and financial advice on the District’s negotiations with employee groups to allow negotiation settlements to be within budget. Serve on the District’s negotiation teams.
• Direct and implement an effective system of internal financial controls.
• Assist outside auditors in completion of annual audits.
• Oversee the implementation of grants and categorically funded projects.
• Manage tax levy rates for the District and provide timely projections regarding property valuations.
• Manage District real estate needs (locate/sell/buy).
• Coordinates, facilitates, and reports on District construction projects.
• Assists in developing standards for buildings, grounds and facility appearance, maintenance, and safety conditions that align with industry standards.
• Ensures the appropriate implementation of long-range plans for buildings, facilities, and grounds.
• Provides leadership, assistance and support for transportation route functions.
• Maintain liaison with appropriate city, county, and state officials as it relates to the fiscal operations of the District.
• Develop, review, and implement Board policies relating to the financial management of the District.
• Manage the District’s property/casualty insurance program to ensure appropriate insurance coverage for the District.
• Adhere to all school district and business office policies and procedures applicable to this position.
• Maintain all district financial records according to the record retention policies.
• Ensure district compliance with pertinent state and federal regulatory programs.
• Audit all district expenditures within established policies.
• Assist the district business office with special financial analysis and projects.
• Serve as Board Treasurer and purchasing agent.
• Serve as Board Secretary / attend all district Board of Education meetings.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the district finance and business functions.
• Reviews departmental staffing responsibilities and needs annually.
• Perform such other duties as may be required.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise business office personnel.
Manager of Buildings and Grounds, Manager of Transportation, Manager of Food Services, Manager of Aquatics.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in business related field.
Successful multi-year experience in fiscal management.
K-12 school district experience in business preferred.
Multi-year experience in a supervisory capacity preferred.

Licensure or Certification:
Iowa School Business Official Authorization with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, or ability to obtain.
CPA is desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Successful experience managing multiple priorities and directing activities of several levels of staff.
• Previous experience in budgeting techniques and preparation of certified and line-item budgets.
• Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles for governmental entities;
• Thorough understanding of, and ability to, apply these principles in the preparation of financial statements, such as the development of the district’s Certified Annual Report.
• Thorough understanding of, and ability to use, mainframe computer accounting systems, desktop computer applications, especially spreadsheet applications and computer presentation software.
• Thorough understanding of statutory requirements for Iowa school districts.

Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Must be able to hear, speak, and carry out duties required. Must have manual dexterity required to use the telephone, calculator, and computer keyboard/mouse.

Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Tobacco-free and drug-free; work and learning environment. Noise level is quiet to loud. Will include some evening work.