Posting Date: March 11, 2025

Closed: Until Filled

Position Opening

Director of Finance and Operations

Start Date: June 1, 2025

 

The Director of Finance & Operations is the chief financial executive of the school district and as such serves as the principal advisor to the Superintendent of Schools in matters related to finance, budget, and procurement. The Director of Finance & Operations provides leadership for the following: financial management, facilities, administrative management of office systems and procedures, food service management, administrative technology management, and transportation management. As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Finance & Operations provides information and services as a resource to others, especially regarding all changes to the laws and regulations pertaining to school finance.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a finance related field required; however, a Master's Degree in an accounting/finance field is preferred
• Must have a Massachusetts School Business Administrator License and a minimum of five years of experience in an accounting/finance-related field
• Computer skills with the ability to manage and create Excel spreadsheets/charts, and multi-use financial applications
• Experience and a working knowledge of MUNIS financial software desired

 

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILL:

• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
• Strong budget planning skills
• Knowledge of collective bargaining principles and practices
• Advanced skills in business fund and payroll accounting
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of financial software
• Ability to perform accounting procedures required of a governmental agency
• Management and supervisory skills
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
• Understanding of the organization and operational needs of a public school system
• Knowledge of and experience in personnel administration, municipal finance, public school food services, school transportation, and building operations
• Understanding of Massachusetts General Laws relating to school business practices, school personnel, school building assistance, and the Massachusetts procurement laws

REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools

 

SUPERVISES: Supervises and evaluates Business Office Staff, including payroll, benefits, purchasing, accounts payable, Director of Facilities, and shared responsibility for supervision and evaluation of technology staff

 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Directs all aspects of the school department's fiscal operations including budget development and entry, creation and management of the general ledger chart of accounts, fiscal analysis and reporting (local, state and federal)
• Annually creates all grant and special funds/accounts in the MUNIS financial software system
• Supervises and monitors payroll records, develops payroll forecasts, and payroll disbursement
• Monitors and signs all purchase orders to determine correctness of information, available funds and account information
• Approves and initials all invoices for payment
• Assumes responsibility for the internal management and administration of the District's finances, including budgeting, budget transfers and adjustments, purchasing, accounting and payroll functions, in accordance with School Committee policy, state and federal laws and regulations
• Develops, in conjunction with the Superintendent, building administrators and department managers, the annual operational budget for the District, and participates in presenting the annual budget to the School Committee and the public
• Works directly with the school principals and central office administrators in all matters pertaining to the business aspects of the school system
• Holds school principals accountable for school site budgets
• Supports the Superintendent in advising and/or monitoring collective bargaining negotiations and contracts with respect to estimated costs and budget implications
• Advises the Superintendent on the development of district goals to address budget and related financial/business operations
• Provides the School Committee, Superintendent and other management staff with appropriate financial information to assist in the decision-making process, including collective bargaining
• Ensures the District's compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations governing budgeting, finance and accounting
• Assists in recruiting, hiring and training all business office personnel
• Attends all School Committee meetings, Town Meetings and other meetings as requested
• Serves as the district's procurement officer
• Serves as interdepartmental liaison to the town departments on financial and budgetary matters, including taking all documentation to Town Hall (payroll, accounts payable and fund turnovers)
• Assists and responds to District auditors during periodic and comprehensive fiscal audits
• Supervises fiscal management control and auditing of all federal and state grants, revolving accounts, gift accounts and student activity accounts
• Performs all financial reporting requirements with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) officials regarding End of Year Report data
• Collaborates with the district administrators in the development of local, state and federal grants; monitors all expenditures and completes all financial reports related to all grants

 

OPERATION FUNCTIONS:

• Manages the food service program contract and works with the Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to provide breakfast and school lunch that is consistent with federal and state laws and policies of the district
• Completes all DESE audits and financial requirements for the School Nutrition Program
• Assists in the coordination of the district's use of facilities program
• Develops and supports energy saving ideas and projects to maximize the efficient use of resources
• Works with the Director of Facilities to coordinate facility management and provide support related to school operations, including facility and capital improvement projects
• Supervises all aspects of procurement, including: all bid documents, notice and instructions to bidders, specification development, analysis and recommendations for bid awards and contracts under M.G.L., Chapter 30B
• Supervises the student transportation program and contract in accordance with federal, state and local regulations and policies

 

OTHER:

• Works with the Superintendent to initiate programs and activities that increase services and efficiency to the school district
• Prepares financial reports to support School Committee decision making
• Makes presentations and interprets budget/financial matters to the professional staff, administrative team, School Committee and the community
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
• Adheres to the adopted policies of the Winchendon School District
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools

 

Contact Information

Human Resources

HR@winchendonk12.org