Benefits: Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, and 403(b) retirement savings + PERS plan. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join our Business and Operations team. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for leading a full spectrum of financial services for Portland Public Schools, including General Ledger Accounting, Grant Accounting, Treasury, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Budgeting, Payroll, Financial Systems, and Purchasing & Contracting. The Chief Financial Officer will guide the Finance team in building strong relationships and partnerships throughout the organization. With responsibility for ensuring district funds are managed effectively and are accurately reported, this position is a key leader to the successful operations of Portland Public Schools.
Essential Job Functions:
Serve as financial expert/consultant to the Superintendent and the Board of Education by providing counsel, expertise and guidance to the Superintendent, the Board of Education, District officials, administrators, and staff in financial services matters.
Engage with a broad spectrum of community members and media outlets through multiple forms of communication to clearly articulate how the District’s fiscal policies and practices support the achievement of the District’s strategic vision.
Lead and inspire the Financial Services team in the delivery of financial processes, developing cross functional partnerships, and providing innovative and reliable financial guidance and support throughout PPS. Direct staff in the performance and completion of analysis, measurement and reporting of financial and operational activities within the General Ledger Accounting, Grant Accounting, Treasury, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Budgeting, Planning & Analysis, Payroll, Financial Systems and Purchasing & Contracting teams.
Observe and ensure all quality standards and professional expectations of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and maintain excellence in financial reporting and positive ratings.
Oversee the development and preparation of the annual budget for the District, and how decisions about resource allocation equitably supports PPS's strategic priorities and efforts at improving student outcomes.
Provide strategic expertise and information regarding division activities and participate in the formulation of policies, procedures and programs; advise on trends or challenges and recommend appropriate courses of action, especially in a changing fiscal climate at the state and local level.
Prepare a wide variety of materials to document activities and issues, meet compliance requirements and provide supporting materials for requested actions; prepare GASB financial statements and footnotes for the purpose of showing compliance to the auditors.
Provide consultation for collective bargaining negotiations and advise District administration, and Board of Directors, regarding financially related issues and impacts.
Direct, forecast, oversee, and monitor financial and strategic planning to assure fiscal integrity and accountability for the District.
DUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Master’s Degree in Business, Finance or related field. Certification as a CPA, CMA, or CGFM is required.
Ten (10) or more years of Finance, Accounting, or Contract Management experience at least three of these years must have been in a senior administrative management capacity, overseeing multiple financial operations. A minimum of three (3) working in a large public sector environment or with a medium to large private sector employer (3,000+employees). Five (5) or more years leading and managing teams.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Experience working and/or consulting in a unionized environment
Proven ability to influence and develop strong working relationships with multiple partners, including leaders, peers, and external stakeholders
Commitment and demonstrated experiences of leading, coaching, and guiding organizational change to increase cultural and linguistic diversity within organizations and/or departments
Strategic thinking capability paired with the ability to motivate others
Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative teams and mentor personnel