Director of Business and Finance

Position Overview
The Director of Business and Finance reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools and is a key member of the district’s leadership team. This role is responsible for the effective implementation, supervision, and strategic direction of all financial and business operations, non-instructional support functions, and long-range facilities planning.

Areas of Responsibility
I. Fiscal Leadership & Strategic Planning
●     Budget Development: Plans, executes, and monitors the annual operating and capital budgets; assists the Superintendent in providing and presenting information to the School Committee and Town boards.

●     Requests & Formatting: Provides general supervision for budget development by collecting, collating, and formatting all requests from principals, directors, and department heads.

●     Financial Controls: Organizes and maintains effective budgetary control procedures, guaranteeing a balance in all categories between allotments and actual expenditures.

●     Long-Range Projections: Prepares multi-year financial projections addressing strategic efforts, including enrollment changes, system-wide goals, and facilities.

●     Trend Analysis: Continually analyzes cost patterns and trends; reports regularly to the School Committee on the status of all budgetary accounts.

●     Fiscal Systems: Institutes and maintains effective management procedures and accounting systems to ensure sound fiscal control and proper recording of receipts/expenditures per Commonwealth statutes.

●     Grant Management: Maintains financial controls for all revenue, including grants (Special Education and general), capital, and revolving accounts; investigates and processes applications for educational/construction grants from federal, state, and private sources.

●     Special Education Finance: Works closely with the Director of Student Services on the special education budget, including grants, expenditures, and out-of-district tuitions.

II. Reporting, Audits & Legal Compliance
●     Statutory Reporting: Collects, collates, and submits mandated state and federal reports, including the “October School System Summary Report” and the “End-of-the-Year Report.”

●     Audit Oversight: Provides information during annual financial audits and performs all recommended corrections.

●     Legal Application: Understands, communicates, and applies statutes from the State Department of Education, the Commonwealth, or the Town of Milton through cooperation with Town Hall.

●     Communication: Prepares statistical and narrative reports, including financial statements, for the Superintendent, School Committee, and stakeholders.

●     Policy Development: Participates in system-wide policy development and supports the Superintendent with special projects and committees.

III. Procurement & Contract Management
●     Chief Procurement Officer: Serves as the School Committee’s Chief Procurement Officer; develops and administers compliant procurement systems for supplies, services, and equipment.

●     Bidding & Awards: In conjunction with the Town CPO, prepares all necessary bid documents, specifications, and legal notices; conducts bid openings and recommends awards based on adherence to requirements.

●     Warrant Oversight: Oversees the School Committee’s approval of payroll and accounts payable batches/warrants.

●     Vendor & Supply Management: Manages contracts with all outside vendors; purchases items necessary for operations and maintains a current, efficient inventory system.

IV. Operations & Staff  Supervision
●     Personnel Management and Business Office Leadership: Supervises and manages Business Office staff, Community School Director, Food Service Director, and oversees Custodial staff by working closely with the Director of Consolidated Facilities; ensures appropriate training for staff.

●     Hiring Process: Advertises vacancies, reviews applications, and recommends qualified candidates to principals and the Superintendent.

●     Training Initiatives: In conjunction with Directors, plans and oversees pre-service and in-service activities for custodial and food service staff.

●     Labor Relations: Serves as a key member of contractual negotiating teams, providing financial data and forecasting for fiscal proposals.

●     Departmental Oversight: Provides program oversight to the Director of Consolidated Facilities (facilities/maintenance of all physical plant facilities) and the Director of Food Services (compliance with federal/state/local laws).

V. Transportation Systems
●     System Design: Assumes responsibility for a workable transportation system for the daily instructional program and extracurricular activities.

●     Contractual Prep: Prepares specifications for all contracts pertaining to transportation.

●     Route Logistics: Defines and directs the development of bus routes and assignments for all eligible students.

●     Special Needs Access: In conjunction with the Director of Student Services.  Monitors the budget for special education transportation by meeting with the Director of Student Services and the Superintendent on a regular basis.

●     Safety & Liaison: Recommends transportation rules and regulations; acts as direct liaison with parents/citizens on complaints; arranges safety standard meetings for drivers.

●     Insurance: Completes all reports for insurance and other purposes pertaining to school transportation.

VI. Building Programs & Capital Projects
●     Construction Management: Works in conjunction with building committees, architects, and contractors to expedite the construction, equipping, and completion of structures.

●     MSBA & Financial Certification: Assists the Town Accountant in filing notices, votes, contracts, invoices, and financial certification papers required for state reimbursement (MSBA).

●     Capital Coordination: Coordinates all capital expenditure projects and facilities for summer school and adult education.

VII. Pupil Accounting & District Administration
●     Census & Projections: Develops and supervises the annual School Census; provides student population projections.

●     Emergency Decision Making: In the absence of the Superintendent, makes decisions on emergency school closings and contacts appropriate agencies regarding storms or emergencies.

Required Knowledge & Skills
●     Technical Expertise: Knowledge of public educational institutional demands, personnel administration, and state/federal laws pertaining to schools and finance.

●     Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills; ability to explain complex information clearly to stakeholders including Milton School Committee, Select Board members, Finance Committees, and the public.

●     Character: Demonstrated high standards of ethics, honesty, integrity, and superior communication skills.

-Must be certified or certifiable as a School Business Administrator by the MA DESE.
-At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
-Master degree preferred.
-Citizenship, residency or work visa required