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Job Description
Job Title: Executive Director of Budget & Finance/CFO
This is an exciting time to join the Portland Public Schools in a critical leadership role for the district. Portland Public Schools is deep into the implementation of the Portland Promise, with a focus on Equity at the center of all we do. We are seeking an Executive Director of Budget & Finance/Chief Financial Officer who is aligned with the goals and values of the Portland Promise, who has deep expertise in financial management, fiscal operations and accounting, and who is an effective systems manager and leader.
The Executive Director of Budget & Finance directs all accounting, fiscal operations, payroll, and budgeting functions, and ensures compliance with local, state and federal fiscal rules, regulations and policies, including ME Department of Education laws. Serving as the principal advisor to the Portland Board of Public Education and the Superintendent on all financial matters, the Executive Director of Budget & Finance is responsible for strategic planning, and ensuring sound fiscal management and oversight of all local and grant funds. Directs and oversees financial services data and periodic reports for the Board, the Superintendent and agencies, as needed. This position has approximately 10 direct reports.
This year-round position includes a generous benefit package, including 25 vacation days per year and full health and dental benefits.
Job Duties:
Assumes a strategic and leadership role in the overall management of the District.
Responsible for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial-related activities of the District.
Establishes and maintains strong relationships with Board members, so as to identify their needs and seek a full range of business solutions.
Establishes and maintains strong relationships with the City Council.
Leads the annual budget development process and facilitates a wide range of internal and external stakeholder engagement, including public presentations.
Evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range planning results, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory actions, and recommends appropriate course of action.
Provides executive management with advice on the financial implications of business activities, including recommendations to enhance strategically financial performance opportunities.
Participates in policy development as a member of the senior management team.
Directs and oversees all aspects of the financial and accounting functions of the District.
Ensures maintenance of strong internal controls and financial procedures.
Assures that the accounting operation of PPS is in compliance with federal, state and local laws, as well as with generally accepted accounting principles.
Directs and provides oversight of federal, state and local grants, and accounting for the same.
Oversees, plans, develops, directs, coordinates and maintains integrated financial services and systems for PPS, which supports the Board’s and Superintendent’s commitment to an integrated financial services program.
Directs and provides oversight for the operation of the financial systems to ensure appropriate fiscal practices are followed and business processes are integrated across the district.
Oversees and directs budget management, including related monitoring and controlling of actual revenues and expenditures against budgets.
Develops, directs and oversees the preparation of forward-looking, predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the District’s operations and business plans.
Engages the Finance Committee of the School Board to develop short-, medium- and long-term financial plans and projections.
Directs and coordinates with the internal staff to identify any problem areas in financial accountability and corrective action for the same.
Maintains a close working relationship with financial management officials from other agencies, such as the Maine State Department of Education, other school districts, and local, state, and federal governments.
Provides advice on any impacts of federal, state or local legislation on PPS.
Maintains relations with external auditors and investigates their findings and recommendations; coordinates external audit of PPS.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies, regulations, and procedures relating to financial management, controls and budgeting.
Ability to quickly learn Portland Public Schools (PPS) financial policies, regulations and practices.
Considerable knowledge of management, budget, and financial management principles and practices.
Demonstrates ability to develop an integrated financial services program with responsibility for developing budget plans and controlling expenditures and related activities.
Demonstrates ability to analyze, identify and implement technology solutions in a complex setting.
Considerable knowledge of continuous improvement principles and practices, including customer service.
Demonstrates excellent management and organizational skills and ability to coordinate activities across several departments.
Ability to assess, develop, and manage effective performance among the Finance team.
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communications and human relations skills.
Education, Training and Experience:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in finance or a related field, including administration or public finance.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in a financial management position in a large public service organization preferred.
Education and experience cannot substitute for one another.
Certified Public Accountant preferred.
Certificate and License Requirements: Criminal History Records Check Physical Demands: N/A Special Requirements: Occasional extended work hours and attendance at evening meetings. Overtime Eligible: No
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.
Maine’s largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12 and about 4,700 adult learners.
The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city’s colleges and universities.
Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.
The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.
Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district – an estimated 100,000 hours per year.
Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country’s top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.
The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.
High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and “green” construction.
More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district’s enrollment. The district’s diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.
Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.
Most of Portland’s middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.
See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-- connecting the schools to the wider community—results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
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