The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible providing strategic vision and leadership for all financial operations including planning, execution, and financial reporting in accordance with laws, regulations and policies. The CFO collaborates with the Superintendent to lead the budget process and communicates with stakeholders to provide maximum support and contribution to the instructional program of the Fort Wayne Community Schools.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary functions may include the following duties, responsibilities, skills, abilities and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification.
Leadership
- Organize and direct District-wide financial and facilities operations and activities
- Assure the efficacy of all operations and financial transactions comply with established local, State and federal standards, requirements, laws, codes, rules, regulations, ordinances, policies and procedures
- Provide leadership in the development and implementation of financial and facilities activities, programs, plans, services, projects, standards, strategies, goals and objectives
- Assist the Superintendent with directing the day-to-day activities of the District
- Direct the development, preparation, review, revision and analysis of District budgets to assure proper allocations, fund disbursement, fiscal solvency, financial effectiveness, operational efficiency and compliance with legal requirements
- Direct the development and implementation of policies, procedures and programs to enhance the financial effectiveness and operational efficiency of financial and facilities operations and activities
- Develop and implement loss control strategies to protect assets and minimize risk and loss expenses by projecting potential losses to the District and determining appropriate response to identified risks
- Develop and monitor long-range financial plans for the Educational and Operational funds.
- Provide leadership for District-wide accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll functions
- Provide leadership and oversight of the district Nutrition Services operations and programs.
- Assure accuracy of related transactions including income and expenditures
- Assure adequate resources to meet District needs
- Develop and implement the District’s three-year capital projects plan
- Participate in collective bargaining negotiations as directed
- Project and determine fiscal impact of proposed contract items
- Analyze and recommend appropriate response to collective bargaining proposals, issues and conflicts
- Maintain current knowledge of laws, codes, ordinances, regulations and pending legislature related to financial and facilities operations and activities
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information
Communication and Support
- Coordinate and direct communications, information, strategic planning, personnel and resources to meet District needs and assure smooth and efficient activities
- Provide presentations and communications to the Board and community partners on budget and financial information.
- Provide technical information and assistance to the Superintendent regarding financial and facilities operations, issues, needs and activities
- Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s cabinet
- Collaborate with the Superintendent and other cabinet members in the development and implementation of plans, strategies, goals and objectives for the District
- Prepare or review materials and reports from the Business Division to the Superintendent for Board recommendations
- Provide consultation and technical expertise to administrators, personnel, outside agencies and others concerning financial and facilities operations and activities
- Coordinate, attend and conduct a variety of meetings, respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related laws, codes, standards, requirements, projects, accounts, budgets, objectives, rules, policies and procedures
- Investigate and assure proper and timely resolution of financial and facilities issues and conflicts of the District
- Direct and participate in the preparation and maintenance of various records and reports related to budgets, accounts, income, expenditures, accountability, facilities, maintenance, repairs, personnel, projects and assigned activities
- Assure mandated reports are submitted to appropriate State or federal agency in accordance with established timelines and requirements
- Coordinate State and national lobbying efforts to enhance political and governmental awareness of and support for the financial needs, issues and activities of the District
- Direct the modification of programs, functions and procedures to assure compliance with local, State and federal requirements as appropriate
Management of Resources
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel
- Interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions
- Coordinate subordinate work assignments and review work to assure compliance with established standards, requirements and procedures
- Control and authorize expenditures
- Monitor District budgets spending to assure compliance with established limitations;
- Direct the preparation, review and processing of purchase orders, reimbursements and invoices; assure proper collection and processing of revenue
- Organize and direct District-wide operations and activities involved in the inspection, cleaning, maintenance and repair of buildings, facilities, and equipment
- Identify construction needs and direct the planning, development, scheduling, design and implementation of construction and renovation projects and financing to meet the educational and operational needs of the District
- Direct operations and activities involved in the purchasing of supplies, services and equipment; oversee the negotiation and administration of contracts for goods and services.
- Prepare enrollment projections with assistance of Technology Department
- Prepare teacher allocations and collaborate with Human Resources and District leadership.
- Prepare cost estimates for major facilities projects
- Monitor progress of projects
- Inspect projects completed by personnel and contractors for accuracy, completeness and compliance with established standards, requirements and specifications
- Direct warehouse and related shipping, receiving and delivery functions
- Coordinate and oversee textbook rental functions and the checking in and out of related materials.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and practices of public school operations
- Knowledge of the development of a public school budget and understanding of the interaction of the various departments within a school district
- Knowledge of applicable policies, state statutes, and federal guidelines
- Knowledge of state-of-the art research and best practices in school finance
- Skilled with data analysis to solve problems and recommend solutions which are consistent with organizational objectives
- Skilled in reviewing and interpreting highly technical information
- Skilled in writing policies and procedures
- Skilled in budgeting procedures and financial and business operations for school districts
- Ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with school personnel, senior leadership, parents, government agencies, and members of the community
- Ability to apply federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing public school finance
- Ability to work collaboratively with others and facilitate groups to consensus
- Ability to motivate, lead, and challenge a team, and establish goals, objectives and action plans to achieve district goals
- Ability to use data-driven decision making to determine effectiveness of various programs and initiatives and develop strategies for improvement
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field from an accredited educational institution; Masters degree, preferred
- Experience in public school administration or leadership of other large, diverse organizations
- Five (5) years of supervisory experience with responsibilities related to the financial/business operations of a school district or comparable experience with substantial operating budgets
- Indiana driver’s license
- Valid certification as a Certified Public Accountant (recommended but not required)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Physical Demands – Must be able to push, pull, lift and carry over 25 pounds on occasion.
- Working Conditions – Generally acceptable working environment with limited exposure to disagreeable elements. Exposure to such conditions may make working environment disagreeable or cause discomfort occasionally but has minor impact on personal safety and/or mental well-being.
- Driving Requirement – This job description does not require the incumbent to drive; however, any employee who chooses or is asked to drive an FWCS vehicle for work related community business must receive written annual authorization to do so.
The physical demands described here are a 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.
Salary amounts listed are minimum and maximum STARTING salary range.