Finance Director of Finance and Operations
Job Description
Report To: Executive Director
Job Type: Full Time, Exempt
Salary range: Starting at $8,333.33 – $9,583.33 (monthly) plus competitive performance bonus potential
LOCATION & TRAVEL
- The CSI Office is located in Downtown Denver.
- This position offers telecommute flexibility.
- Periodic statewide travel is required.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) is a statewide charter school authorizer whose mission is to foster high-quality public-school choices offered through charter schools, particularly schools that are focused on closing the achievement gap for at-risk students. Governed by a board of nine members appointed by the Governor and Commissioner of Education, CSI currently serves a diverse portfolio of 42 schools across the state of Colorado serving over 20,000 students. CSI is uniquely positioned to serve and promote charter school innovation in communities throughout Colorado and to be a leader in improvements in authorizer practices. CSI aspires to continue growing the quality and quantity of its portfolio of schools in Colorado in response to the need for high quality, innovative charter school options. Our organization is at an extraordinary point of opportunity and is poised to make additional systemic changes that will yield improvements within the portfolio’s overall student achievement.
Visit our website to learn more
Please note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OFFICIAL POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB: Please email your resume and cover letter to CSIEmployment@csi.state.co.us. The cover letter should detail how your experience meets the minimum experience requirements listed in the above position announcement.
POSITION SUMMARY
CSI is seeking energetic, client-oriented Director of Finance candidates to assist CSI in the next phase of its organizational growth and quality improvements. The Director of Finance will provide critical financial guidance, leadership, and strategic vision to CSI as the state’s model authorizer. In addition, this position will lead the provision of the financial oversight, guidance, and support that CSI provides its portfolio schools. Strong candidates will possess robust credentials in public school finance, a strong commitment to the principles of charter authorizing, excellent communication skills, and a desire to be part of a collaborate leadership team.
Please see below for a complete position description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: DIRECTOR-LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES (65%)
Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.
- Represent CSI with a variety of audiences, including schools, school leaders, school boards, the Colorado Department of Education, other charter authorizers, charter school support organizations and decision makers in public and high-stakes settings.
- Engage in CSI-wide strategic planning that sets the vision and direction of the organization.
- Oversee the professional development and coaching, technical assistance with, and compliance monitoring of state and federal statutory requirements and regulations.
- Use effective written and oral communication to present information accurately while adapting to various stakeholders and other audiences.
- Provide operational support for the Executive Director.
- Regularly engage with and report to the CSI Board and Board committees.
- In coordination with the Department of Legal and Policy, monitor schools’ compliance with regulations and required submissions while utilizing and implementing the CSI School Compliance Policy.
- Collaborate with other Directors to ensure coordination and alignment of work across departments, effective allocation of resources, opportunities to learn from the in-depth work of the team and inform broader organizational initiatives.
- Set the vision and direction for the department that aligns with, and advances, broader strategic objectives.
- Oversee the development and monitoring of annual goals, annual performance evaluations, and professional development of team members.
- Contribute to the development, update, and access to resources related to the CSI Performance Framework.
- Provide school performance and operational evaluation for inclusion in the CSI Annual Review of Schools.
- Participate in the review of all charter applications as a member of the CSI Review Team, including regularly update charter application materials and rubrics.
- Contribute to the development of contract conditions and milestones, risk assessments, and staff reports for recommendation to the Executive Director.
- Ensure work and decisions align with national best practices to maintain high standards for charter schools, uphold school autonomy, and protect student and public interests.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: ROLE-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES (35%)
Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.
- Develop and oversee internal CSI financial controls, ensure that all internal financial operations, accounting, financial activity, and procurement functions are complete, timely, and in accordance with GAAP, state statute, state fiscal and procurement rule, and federal regulations.
- Direct and complete the submission of required financial reports to the Colorado Department of Education, the Office of the State Controller, the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee.
- Act as the agency’s budget officer, overseeing the agency’s participation in the Governor’s Budget Development process, and acting as the agency liaison in interactions with the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB).
- In coordination with the Executive Director, lead the CSI internal budget process to engage all stakeholders in developing the CSI annual budget to best meet the needs of the organization and the organization’s schools.
- Obtain and maintain State Controller Delegation and serve as one of the agency’s controller delegates in contract execution, fulfilling all state controller obligations included in the delegation.
- Oversee CSI and CSI schools’ compliance with the Financial Transparency
- Oversee and support the collection, review, and feedback for required school submissions of financial reports including school level budgets, annual financial audits, quarterly and monthly reports, annual assurances for financial accreditation, and the financial data pipeline.
- In coordination with Human Resources, oversee the agency’s payroll processing to ensure all regulations are met, and employees are paid accurately and on time.
- Direct the organization’s response to CDE annual financial corrective action notices for CSI and CSI school
- Evaluates Assistance Fund applications, makes recommendations to the CSI finance committee and Board for use of the Emergency Assistance Fund.
- Oversee the annual reconciliation of amounts collected from and due to schools pursuant to statutory, grant, and federal requirements Oversee the fiscal note process for bills impacting the Institute or Institute schools. Lead CSI’s efforts on funding equity through CSI’s legislative priorities and advocacy with key stakeholders such as legislators, legislative and JBC staff, schools, and members of the Governor’s Office.
- Annually review and update financial reporting metrics and facilitate regular conversations with key stakeholders about financial frameworks and monitoring.
- In collaboration with the Director of Policy and Legal Initiatives, monitor and oversee compliance with financial and food services regulations, including revising CSI policies as necessary.
- Implement a system of differentiated support and monitoring for CSI schools according to financial outcomes and indicators of financial risk.
- Oversee and develop resources for CSI portfolio schools and non- CSI charter schools in Colorado, including online training modules, a database of funding opportunities, recommended vendor pools, and more.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the Colorado Charter School Institute (State of Colorado), you will have access to a variety of benefits to include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation and sick time, flexible scheduling, a work-life balance culture, no-cost life and disability insurance (with additional paid options), Flex Spending and Health Savings Account options, professional development opportunities, wellness offerings, a performance based bonus and membership in Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA).
INCLUSION STATEMENT
CSI recognizes that autonomy and diversity can drive innovation and improved outcomes, both in our schools and in our organization. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace as we believe that differences in perspective and experiences broaden our awareness, enrich our daily experiences, and contribute to our collective strength.
As a charter school authorizer with schools that serve a wide range of communities across the state, we prioritize recruiting a staff that shares the diversity of the students and communities our schools serve. CSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, color, religion or belief, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected class.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
At a minimum, we are looking for the following:
- BS or BA in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- Strong operational and finance experience in a senior leadership role for 3+ years
- Ability to monitor and maintain compliance in accordance with state and federal regulations
- Proven ability to work in a team environment that values collaboration, deliberation, healthy conflict, flexibility, high expectations, accountability, and a high level of trust among the entire leadership team.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills
- All final candidates must successfully pass a thorough criminal background check.
Ideal candidates will have some, or all, of the following education, skills, and abilities:
- MBA and/or CPA
- Demonstrated experience with, and commitment to, the application of the principles of charter school autonomy and accountability in an authorization environment
- Experience in government auditing, accounting, or budgeting
- Experience directing multiple team members
- Experience in Colorado state financial processes and procedures
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. The work environment includes a standard office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
