Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the annual operating budget development process, including calendar creation, templates, assumptions, and consolidation.
• Partner with department heads to develop realistic and mission-aligned budgets.
• Conduct monthly budget-to-actual analysis, identify variances, and present clear explanations and recommendations.
• Prepare rolling forecasts and multi-year financial projections as requested.
• Partner with department leaders to develop mission-aligned, data-driven budgets.
• Perform monthly budget-to-actual analysis, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop dashboards and reports for senior leadership, Finance Committee, and Board presentations.
• Support enrollment-driven revenue modeling and staff-related financial analysis.
• Provide training and guidance on budget management and purchasing practices.
• Contributes to a school culture where community members are seen, safe, and valued.

Business Office Operations / Front-End Finance

• Oversee and optimize frontend financial operations, including:
• Accounts payable processes.
• Procurement and purchase request workflows.
• Corporate card and expense management systems (e.g., Ramp).
• Vendor onboarding and compliance documentation.
• Ensure adherence to budget controls, approval protocols, and purchasing policies.
• Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness, aligned with best practices (e.g., NAIS standards).
• Support year-end financial close and audit preparation as it relates to budget and expense data.
• Lead the design and implementation of automated reporting tools and dashboard solutions that integrate data across systems.
• Standardize reporting frameworks to ensure consistency, accuracy, and accessibility of monthly financial data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Advanced degree or professional certification (CPA, CFA, or equivalent preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial planning, budgeting, or financial analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with budget-to-actual reporting and variance analysis.
• Strong proficiency in Excel and financial modeling.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• Prior experience in an independent school, higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization preferred.
• Experience with expense management and procurement platforms (Ramp preferred).
• Familiarity with integrated financial systems and ERP environments.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly with non-financial stakeholders.
• Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.