CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER

About the Role

Bellflower Unified is seeking a Chief Business Officer to direct fiscal strategy, operations, and risk management in support of every student. Under administrative direction, this role provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of the District's fiscal, business, and operational services, including facilities, maintenance and operations, transportation, technology, food services, and risk management functions. This position ensures alignment with District programs, goals, and fiscal solvency through subordinate director-level classifications.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Chief Business Officer is responsible for the District-wide administrative oversight of fiscal integrity and operational infrastructure, exercised through subordinate directors. This role is distinct from the Superintendent, who oversees the entire educational program and organizational performance. Unlike director-level roles (e.g., Director of Fiscal Services, Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation), the Chief Business Officer integrates and allocates resources across multiple functional areas and holds final administrative accountability for their combined performance.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives administrative direction from the Superintendent and serves on the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet. Supervises managerial, professional, technical, and clerical staff through subordinate directors, including the Director of Fiscal Services, the Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation, the Director of Technology, and the Director of Food Services.

Responsibilities

• Directs the District's fiscal, business, and operational services, aligning departmental goals, staffing, and resources with District-wide priorities and performance objectives.
• Directs and evaluates the performance of subordinate directors and assigned managerial staff; establishes goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures; interviews and selects employees; recommends disciplinary actions; and arranges for training and development.
• Advises the Superintendent on resource use, priorities, program opportunities, and methods to enhance program and support service delivery; serves as the Superintendent's designee for fiscal, business, and operational matters.
• Directs financial and strategic planning, budget development, and fund allocation, including fiscal alignment of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) with Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) requirements; conducts financial and statistical studies to project, upgrade, or evaluate programs and services.
• Directs the preparation and certification of the annual budget, interim financial reports, and multiyear financial projections in accordance with state fiscal accountability and oversight requirements; oversees attendance and enrollment reporting to ensure accuracy of apportionment claims; and prepares required public disclosures of collective bargaining agreement costs.
• Directs enrollment forecasting and long-range fiscal planning; analyzes fiscal impacts of enrollment, attendance, and revenue trends and the encroachment of restricted programs on unrestricted resources; develops resource allocation, expenditure reduction, and organizational realignment strategies to maintain long-term fiscal solvency.
• Directs District fiscal services, including fiscal reporting, revenue collection and disbursement, cash management, accounting, payroll and retirement systems, categorical and grant program compliance, auditing programs, and warrant issuance and commercial claims processing.
• Directs the annual independent audit, including preparation of financial statements, response to audit findings, and implementation of corrective actions; oversees student body, student activity, and other agency fund accounting and control.
• Directs the administration, implementation, and conversion of the District's enterprise resource planning (ERP) and integrated financial, budget, payroll, and human capital management systems, including coordination with the County Office of Education.
• Establishes and oversees systems of internal control across assigned functions; evaluates adherence to statutory requirements, legal mandates, and District regulatory protocols.
• Directs facilities master planning and capital programs, including needs assessment, project prioritization, capital improvement, construction, and modernization projects aligned with District enrollment and budgetary priorities.
• Directs capital and long-term financing, including general obligation bond programs, debt issuance and administration, developer fees, and state facilities funding applications; oversees expenditure tracking, performance and financial audits, and support to the citizens' bond oversight committee.
• Directs the management of District real property, including surplus property evaluation and disposition, joint-use and lease agreements, and property-related revenue.
• Directs operational services, including maintenance and operations, pupil transportation, information technology (infrastructure, enterprise systems, and data security), and food services (operations, fund solvency, and compliance with state and federal child nutrition requirements).
• Directs contract administration and purchasing services, including competitive bidding, contract review and negotiation, vendor administration, warehouse and distribution operations, and inventory control, ensuring compliance with public contracting laws and Board policy.
• Directs the District's risk management program, including property, liability, and workers' compensation coverage and claims administration; evaluates and recommends insurance and self-insurance strategies; coordinates with third-party administrators, legal counsel, and joint powers authorities; and monitors claims experience, reserves, and loss trends.
• Oversees District loss prevention and occupational safety programs, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, safety training, and compliance with Cal/OSHA and environmental regulatory requirements.
• Reports to the Board of Education on District fiscal, business, and operational matters, including the annual budget, budget status, and program performance.
• Participates in District collective bargaining and advises on the fiscal impacts of proposals.
• Represents the District with the County Office of Education, other public agencies, professional associations, and community groups; responds to inquiries and escalations related to audits and reporting; and makes presentations on school business and financial management.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration, executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning.
• Public sector finance, budgeting, accounting, procurement, contracts, and resource management.
• Enrollment forecasting, demographic analysis, and long-range fiscal planning, including expenditure reduction and resource realignment strategies.
• Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques and internal control systems.
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and integrated financial, budget, payroll, and human capital management systems, including implementation, conversion, and end-user training.
• Facilities planning, capital projects, and construction and modernization funding, including bonds, federal special funding programs, and grants.
• Principles and practices of facilities maintenance and operations, pupil transportation, information technology, and food services administration.
• Principles and practices of risk management, including property, liability, and workers' compensation programs, claims administration, self-insurance, loss prevention, and occupational safety.
• Principles and practices of collective bargaining, labor relations, and human resources administration.
• Principles and practices of supervision, staff development, and performance management.
• Modern office practices and procedures, including enterprise software, infrastructure management, and cybersecurity.
• Governmental accounting standards, the California School Accounting Manual, and the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS).
• Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) apportionment, Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) fiscal requirements, and categorical and restricted funding compliance.
• Fundamental concepts of employment laws, codes, and regulations, including EEO, FLSA, FMLA, and Cal/OSHA, and applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements.

Abilities:

• Plan, direct, and integrate complex business, operational, and financial planning, budgeting, and District programs.
• Manage organizational change and design organizational structures to maximize effectiveness.
• Direct the implementation and conversion of enterprise financial and human capital management systems, including planning, resource allocation, staff training, and change management.
• Direct multiple functional areas through subordinate management staff and hold them accountable for results.
• Plan, track, and evaluate projects to ensure timely completion and alignment with long-range District objectives.
• Analyze, interpret, and prepare financial statements, forecasts, and reports.
• Analyze demographic, enrollment, and revenue trends and develop long-range plans to sustain fiscal solvency.
• Evaluate organizational risk exposure and recommend insurance, self-insurance, and loss prevention strategies.
• Prepare and present complex information and recommendations to District administration, the Board of Education, and external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and training to a diverse workforce; guide and motivate others toward common goals.
• Resolve conflicts and handle sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Collaborate effectively with school administrators, staff, and external agencies.
• Work independently while managing competing priorities.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Utilize accounting software, financial management systems, and standard office applications.
• Model communications and interactions that respect and include all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions, and cultures.

Qualifications

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in business and financial management within a public agency is required, including at least three (3) years of administrative management experience with supervisory responsibility over multiple departments. Experience in a K-12 school district educational setting is preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.