Description

Job Summary 

The Chief Operations and Financial Officer serves as a member of the Superintendent’s executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership, oversight, and management of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s financial and operational functions.  This position is responsible for developing and implementing the district budget, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship, strengthening operational systems, and aligning district resources with the strategic priorities of the Board of Education and Superintendent.

The position oversees financial planning, accounting, revenue management, procurement, facilities, transportation, nutrition services, information technology, risk management, and related operational functions. The Chief Operations and Financial Officer ensures compliance with Board policy, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Essential Job Functions 

Leads the development, implementation, monitoring, and communication of the district’s annual budget, including long-range financial planning, enrollment projections, revenue forecasting, expenditure analysis, and financial sustainability planning.

Oversees accounting, financial reporting, revenue collection, budget controls, auditing, grant and contract budgeting, and fiscal compliance activities.

Develops, recommends, and implements sound financial, budgeting, accounting, procurement, and operational policies, procedures, and systems.

Establishes and maintains strong internal controls to safeguard district assets, ensure accurate financial reporting, and support responsible stewardship of public funds.

Ensures accurate and timely financial reporting, analysis, monitoring, and communication to the Superintendent, Board of Education, district leadership, funding agencies, and other stakeholders.

Provides oversight for district revenue collection, cashiering, deposits, financial assets, procurement systems, and related safeguards.

Establishes and monitors internal control structures for school-based and district-level funds, including petty cash and other assigned accounts.

Provides financial analysis and operational support related to collective bargaining, labor relations, workforce planning, and other district initiatives, as assigned.

Provides strategic leadership for the district’s business and operational functions to ensure effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable use of public resources.

Provides executive oversight and coordination for district operational departments, including accounting services, business services, purchasing and warehousing, facilities management, information technology, nutrition services, pupil transportation, risk management, and related functions.

Identifies operational efficiencies, evaluates systems and practices, and leads continuous improvement efforts to improve service delivery, reduce costs where appropriate, and maximize resources in support of student learning.

Utilizes financial, operational, and performance data to evaluate effectiveness, inform decision-making, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Participates in districtwide strategic planning and organizational improvement efforts to ensure financial and operational resources support district priorities and student achievement.

Promotes a culture of collaboration, service, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across district operations.

Advises the Superintendent, Board of Education, school administrators, and department leaders on financial, budgetary, operational, policy, and compliance matters.

Leads the development and implementation of district business and operational policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policy, and professional standards.

Monitors federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, funding requirements, and compliance obligations related to school finance, public administration, procurement, risk management, and district operations.

Represents the district with government agencies, funding agencies, auditors, employee organizations, community partners, vendors, media, and the public.

Supports Board of Education decision-making through financial analysis, operational reporting, recommendations, and strategic planning information.

Requirements

Job Qualifications 

The following are required:

1.    Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, educational leadership, or a related field.

2.    Ten (10 ) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance, operations, public administration, school business management, or a closely related field.

3.    Demonstrated experience with organizational leadership, management systems, public-sector operations, and business administration.

4.    Experience with public entity finance, budgeting, accounting, procurement, and financial reporting.

5.    Knowledge of school funding mechanisms and fiscal compliance requirements for federal, state, and local education programs.

6.    Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements.

7.    Thorough understanding of internal controls, audit processes, financial reporting, budget development, procurement requirements, and risk management practices.

8.    Experience using automated enterprise resource planning or accounting systems.

9.    Recent and extensive experience using spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, and financial management software.

10.  Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations, contracts, legal documents, Board policies, and authoritative guidance related to school district operations.

11.  Ability to organize, prioritize, coordinate, and manage multiple complex projects and responsibilities with changing deadlines and priorities.

12.  Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, courteously, and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

13.  Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound independent judgment

The following are preferred: 

1.    Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, educational leadership, or a related field.

2.    Experience in school district finance or operations.

3.    Experience working with elected boards, employee organizations, public agencies, auditors, and community stakeholders.

4.    Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams, improving systems, and implementing operational efficiencies in a public-sector or educational setting.