Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Superintendent and serving as an integral member of the cabinet, the Executive Director of Finance (EDF) will be accountable for the financial health of this $125+ million school system. The EDF oversees the following functions: auditing, accounting, budget development, forecasting, revenue management, grants management, expenditure analysis, cash handling, purchasing/procurement, financial reporting, and financial systems improvement. The key responsibility will be the development and execution of Holyoke Public School¿s financial management strategy, in service of the HPS turnaround plan. The EDF is also charged with updating and streamlining financial policies and procedures. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with strong execution skills, a customer service orientation, high integrity, a continuous improvement mindset, and a deep desire to serve.

Responsibilities
Financial Strategy, Vision, and Leadership
Advise the Superintendent, other cabinet members, and principals on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, and policy matters
Establish a structure so that principals have the resources and information needed in order to develop and adhere to a strategic budget that advances their school¿s goals
Work with administration and principals to identify opportunities to reallocate resources to support the implementation of the turnaround plan
Serve as the financial liaison to the School Committee, City of Holyoke, and the State of MA; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at select meetings.
Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the Superintendent informed of all critical issues.
Performs other functions as requested by the Superintendent.

Financial Operations

Plan, coordinate and execute the annual budget process.
Upgrade and implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures.
Provide analytical support to HPS¿s internal management team including development of internal management reporting capabilities.
Improve administrative and operational accounting services such as grants payment processing, position control, accounts payable, and purchasing.  This will require coordination with the human resources team and City of Holyoke.
Manage risk by maintaining oversight of letters of agreement, contracts, leases, and other legal documents and agreements.
Partner with leaders to identify and monitor significant cost drivers, including salary and transportation.
Monitor all internal financial controls.

Qualifications
Please note, we are willing to invest in this person and this position.  Applicants do not need to fit every qualification, but must show a willingness to work hard and learn quickly.
Business, Finance or Accounting degree required, a master¿s in related field a plus.
School Business Administrator license (or ability to obtain within six months) required.
Deep knowledge of and expertise with integrated finance and human resources management systems, preferably MUNIS.
Minimum 3 years of experience in a management role ideally with both external audit and in-house financial management experience gained in a high-growth organization.
Must be familiar with public finance and accounting regulations.
Strong judgment and creative problem solving skills.
Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise.
Self-reliant, good problem solver, results oriented,  high integrity.
Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with cabinet, public officials and/or representatives, and staff.
Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker.
Commitment to high performance standards and belief in HPS values.
Be available outside traditional working hours.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus.