Job Description

Job Details:
TITLE: Chief Operations and Finance Officer (COFO)
LOCATION: Central Office
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.
With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic, 24% African American, 9% White, and 6% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,800 teachers.
JOB GOAL:
The Chief Operations and Finance Officer (COFO) serves as the senior executive responsible for all operational and financial functions of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS), reporting directly to the Superintendent. The COFO is a key strategic partner in shaping and implementing the district's vision and ensuring long-term fiscal and operational sustainability.
This role integrates finance and operations to ensure alignment between financial strategy and educational goals. The COFO leads the Finance and Operations departments-including budgeting, payroll, procurement, benefits, construction, grants, and risk management-and develops a multi-year financial framework to support the district's mission. As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, the COFO is expected to engage with stakeholders including the Board of Education, school leaders, families, and the broader community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct leadership and strategic oversight of all financial and operational functions, ensuring the Superintendent is informed of key developments.
• Supervise and collaborate with the Executive Director of Finance Executive Director of Operations, Executive Director TIS & Data, Evaluation, Research, & Assessment, and Chief of Police to align departmental priorities with the district's strategic plan.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive financial model, including multi-year forecasts, cash flow management, and debt strategy.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of timely and accurate financial and operational reports for the Board of Education, Superintendent, auditors, and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the annual budget development process, ensuring transparency, stakeholder input, and alignment with educational priorities.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and successful audit outcomes across all fiscal operations.
• Oversee the management of all aspects of school district finance, including:

• Payroll
• Procurement
• Accounts payable/receivable
• Grant and federal/state/local fund accounting
• Risk and insurance programs
• Bond issuance and capital project financing
• Investment strategies
• Direct legal and contractual reviews for financial and operational agreements (e.g., leases, vendor contracts, MOUs).
• Oversee real estate acquisition, facility planning, and construction financials.
• Foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement within finance and operations teams.
• Serve as the district's primary liaison to lenders, bondholders, and financial institutions.
• Develop policies and systems that support strong financial stewardship and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate and implement financial technologies and systems to improve data integrity, reporting, and service delivery.
• Support fundraising and development efforts by establishing internal financial controls for contributed income.
• Serve as an ambassador of the district's fiscal and operational integrity to community partners and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or Education Administration required. MBA, CPA, or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years in a senior financial and/or operational leadership role (e.g., CFO, COO, Executive Director of Finance/Business).
• Demonstrated expertise in public sector or educational finance, including budget development, financial modeling, and compliance.
• Proven experience managing complex financial systems including municipal bonds, capital projects, grant funding, and debt instruments.
• Strong knowledge of school district governance, budgeting, and funding mechanisms.
• Experience working in or with organizations that have nonprofit (501c3) or hybrid structures is preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to effectively engage a wide range of stakeholders including the Board, leadership teams, community members, and financial partners.
• Proficient with financial and business software (Excel, Word, Outlook, ERP systems, financial databases).

COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATION: Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students. Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties. Performs other related work as required.
REASONING ABILITY: Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. Able to address complex issues where standard solutions may not apply.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students' safety, work output and well-being.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 261 days
SALARY: Compensation includes competitive salary and benefits package
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT
REPORT TO: Superintendent of KCKPS
EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy
Applications will be reviewed prior to the closing date for this position.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KCKPS is an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, sex/gender (to include orientation, identity, or expression), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.
For more information regarding Title IX please contact:
District Compliance Coordinator
2010 N. 59th Street
Kansas City, KS 66104
913-279-2262

Skills Required