Director of Finance and Operations

WORK YEAR: 12-month position

Benefit eligible

EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT: Exempt/Non-aligned

ANNUAL SALARY: $155,000-$165,000

JOB GOAL: Provide strong leadership in the area of Finance and Operations

to ensure that WPS allocates and appropriates resources and funds so that all students are successful in the Watertown Public Schools.

REPORTS TO: The Superintendent of Schools

Why we want you to join our team:

Working for the Watertown Public Schools provides an exciting opportunity for anyone who is passionate about equity, excellence, and community.  Our five schools and the early childhood center are located within a vibrant, growing, and diverse community with the necessary resources to positively impact the lives of all of our students in our schools.  With net school spending at approximately 180% above the foundation budget, you will be able to help the district achieve its mission and vision over the next several years.  In addition, WPS recently opened two new construction net-zero elementary schools.  Our third elementary school will open this fall as a full renovation-addition project.  And construction is slated to begin on our new high school over the summer of 2023.  Watertown is a community on the rise, and we are looking for the best person possible to continue our forward progress.

The role of the Director of Finance and Operations is to lead all aspects of the district’s financial and operations functions, including budget, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing and procurement, transportation, school nutrition, and technology and security.  The Director of Finance & Operations supervises and evaluates the Assistant Director of Finance and Operations, Information Technology Manager, and School Nutrition Director.  Additionally, the successful candidate will supervise and evaluate the strong business office team, which includes the Purchasing & Accounts Payable Coordinator, Payroll Manager & Revenue Accountant, Grants and Operations Manager, and the confidential administrative assistant.

For more information about Watertown’s administrative structure, please see our organization chart.

What you will be responsible for in your role:

Coordinate and facilitate the development of the annual budget including preparing and disseminating budget guidelines, providing training to and assisting administrators in preparation of department and school budgets, and supporting the budget presentation to key stakeholders along with the Superintendent.
Act as advisor to the Superintendent concerning financial and administrative affairs and matters of general importance to the educational program.
Collaborate with all principals, directors, and the six-person Central Administration Team in all matters pertaining to the business aspects of the school system; Contribute thoughts and ideas to the larger leadership team through your lens and experiences.
Establish and supervise a modern program of accounting and reporting for the financial affairs of the district, including controls for the transfer of funds, and submit periodic reports to the School Committee detailing the status of the budget appropriation.
Serve as fiscal agent for all state and federal grant programs; review and approve grant applications; coordinate grant submissions including requests for payments, amendments, and final reports.
Prepare financial reports as required by state and federal agencies and in conformance with all required audit procedures, ensure regular audits are performed as required, and implement audit suggestions in a timely fashion.
Monitor a district-wide plan for the management of special revenue funds, student activity, and school-based internal funds.
Monitor revenues, ensure proper internal controls, facilitate efficient and effective payment systems (including online payments), coordinate financial assistance programs, and ensure receipts are adequate to support budgetary requirements.
Direct the purchase, by competitive bidding, informal quotations, and negotiation, of items of supply, equipment, and contracted services necessary for the operation of the school district.
Supervise payroll and personnel staff to ensure tracking of staffing, salaries, and all other related data.
Prepare pertinent fiscal data for negotiations, including data relevant to benefit programs, and participate in all collective bargaining activities.
Establish procedures for record keeping and maintaining all records that audit and legal requirements demand.
Establish standard operating procedure manuals for the deployment of efficient work processes, effective workflow, and minimal paper processing.
Develop and implement all School Committee business and operations policies for the District.
Coordinate the student, workers’ compensation, liability, automotive, and property insurance and associated risk management and risk prevention strategies.
Participate as part of a team and/or the School Building Committee in making decisions related to construction planning and execution.
Provide day-to-day oversight for school construction, reconstruction, or renovation projects including procurement, financial monitoring and oversight, contractor oversight, reimbursement requests, and reporting requirements.
Coordinate with the Director of Public Buildings to ensure that school buildings and grounds are maintained to ensure the effective implementation of the educational program.
Oversee all school nutrition operations and/or contracts in conjunction with the School Nutrition Director
Oversee all information technology operations and/or contracts in conjunction with the Information Technology Manager.
Serve on the District Critical Incident Team (CIT) in conjunction with the CIT Coordinator; Coordinate emergency management planning and crisis response protocols; Provide incident command leadership and communications during emergency and crisis situations; Coordinate school building security protocols and systems.
Keep abreast of issues and trends in the areas of school business administration through literature, participation in school business officials associations, and attendance at approved workshops and seminars.
Perform such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as the Superintendent may assign from time to time.
To be successful in this position, you should possess the following skills and qualifications:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration required; Master’s Degree preferred.
Licensed or eligible for licensure as a School Business Administrator by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
MCPPO certification preferred.
Prior experience as a School Business Administrator or other School District Administrator.
Assistant Superintendent licensure/experience will be considered.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience and demonstrated leadership in school or municipal financial management.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents, students, and the general public.
SPECIFIC SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Strong analytical, computer, and communication skills to support database and spreadsheet management, forecasting, cost-benefit analyses, and decision-making activities.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, local, and school committee laws, policies, regulations, and procedures relating to finance, budgeting, and employment.
Knowledge of sound management, budget planning, and financial management principles and practices, including zero-based budgeting.
Excellent organizational, management, oral and written communication, and human relations skills.
The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The information contained in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Preferred start date is July 1, 2023.