Director of Finance and Operations

About the role

The Grosse Pointe Academy is seeking a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) who is an experienced leader and strategic thinker who excels at facilitating collaboration and communicating clearly with stakeholders at all levels. The DFO will assume a strategic role in the overall management of the operations of the school and has the primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial and business activities of the school as well as leading the school’s daily operations.

The position reports to the Head of School, is a member of the Administrative team and supervises the Assistant Business Manager, Director of Facilities, Director of Operations, Director of Technology, Enrichment Coordinator, and the food service vendor.

Responsibilities

• Financial Planning
  Responsible for short and long term strategic financial planning and reporting including updates to the financial models to support the annual budgeting and strategic planning work of the Board of Trustees
  Prepares and reviews financial and budget statements, investment and capital project reports; makes regular presentations to the Head of School, Board of Trustees and committees
  Ensures that all expenditures are consistent with the approved budget
  Works with the Director of Facilities and Director of Operations to coordinate planning and financing major capital improvement or investment projects
  Oversees the investment of the endowment funds according to approved investment policies
• Accounting
  Establishes appropriate procedures and controls for all financial systems, in accordance with current standards
  Manages Business Office activities involving payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and banking
  Manages the annual year-end financial audit by preparing work papers, schedules, and documentation
• Human Resources
  Establishes appropriate employee benefit programs, implements changes as needed to enhance benefits and/or reduce costs, and supervises the administration of all benefit programs
  Ensures that the school’s personnel policies support its programs and that the school’s actions regarding hiring, compensation, training, promotion and separation conform to state and federal requirements
  Provides appropriate information to Head of School for salary comparisons, both internal and external, including preparing employment contracts
  Maintains and ensures security for the employee files
• Student Enrollment
  Manage all aspects of the accounts receivable process
  Manage financial aid from inquiry and application procedures and works with parents throughout the process
  In collaboration with the Financial Aid Committee, analyze, review, and approve individual financial aid awards
  Responsible for oversight and collection of aged accounts receivable
• Physical Plant and Grounds, Insurance and Risk Management
  Works with the Director of Facilities, Director of Operations, and Director of Technology, to coordinate plans for the preservation, safety, and renewal of the physical plant, network infrastructure, and school grounds
  Works with insurance advisors and brokers to provide appropriate and cost-effective liability, property, and workers compensation insurance coverage
  Serves as liaison with the school attorney
  Advise the Head of School of any situation which might have adverse legal consequences for the school
• Auxiliary Services
  Review, negotiate and approve vendor contracts
  Serve as the primary liaison with all banks and financial institutions
  Compiles and files all reports and applications necessary to maintain tax exempt, non-profit status
  Manages transportation contracts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business or comparable discipline
• CPA designation a plus
• Minimum of five years of related experience including supervisory responsibilities, preferably with a not-for-profit
• Experience in independent school setting a plus
• Accounting, specifically experience in Not-for-Profit Accounting (GAAP)
• Strong technical proficiency with Excel/Google Suite
• Financial analysis
• Contract negotiation
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of independent school operations preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to and work closely with diverse school constituencies while maintaining strict confidentiality