Reading Public Schools proudly serves 4,000 students throughout nine schools. We are committed to meeting the needs of our learners and ensuring each has meaningful learning experiences in academics, health and wellness, the arts, community service, co-curricular activities, and athletics. We strive to instill a joy of learning by inspiring, engaging and supporting our youth to become the innovative leaders of tomorrow.
We are seeking a Director of Finance and Operations to lead school finance operations, including budget, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and purchasing. In addition, the Director of Finance and Operations supervises and evaluates the School Nutrition Director, School Business Analyst, and Administrative Assistant connected to that department.
**Applications must be received by April 27th**
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are illustrations of the type of work that is performed and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for by this position. Other duties may be assigned.
Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the District\xe2\x80\x99s fiscal function and performance.
• Plan, coordinate and direct the District\xe2\x80\x99s budget development activities and budget administration process.
• Continually improve the budgeting process through education of building and District management on financial issues impacting budgets.
• Coordinate development and implementation of the annual budget development calendar.
• Assist building principals in developing building-based budgets and provide regular counsel on fiscal and operational areas.
• Prepare and submit the annual school budget and the audited annual financial report in compliance with the state requirements.
• Prepare multi-year projections of revenues and expenditures.
• Review Business Office Performance with respect to overall financial condition.
• Oversee implementation of all grants from a financial perspective.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, and execution of District\xe2\x80\x99s Revolving Accounts in concert with other District administration
• Accounting and Finance Systems
• Prepare quarterly financial reports for all program administrators and the School Committee and highlight any permanent variances expenditures.
• Investigate pertinent areas of operation through appropriate use of the internal audit process.
• Establish controls for transfer of budgeted funds, as necessary.
• Monitor Circuit Breaker amounts for integration into the annual budgets.
• Monitor a District-wide plan for the management of student activity and school-based internal funds.
• Arrange and coordinate the preparation of the annual financial audit and any internal audit assignments requested by the Superintendent or the School Committee
• Work closely and cooperatively with State and/or independent auditors.

Purchasing and Supply Management

• Ensure that the process operates in an economical manner and in accordance with budget limitations, School Committee policy, and the state laws.
• Ensure accurate and timely payments of all legitimate accounts payable items.
• Monitor the bid and request for proposal process, act as the final negotiator for all supplier contracts, complete all purchase orders and all contract requirements.
• Work with other administrators and architects in planning construction and contracting.
• Develop a fixed asset inventory for insurance and control purposes

Payroll

• Ensure that payroll checks are issued to all District employees on a timely basis.
• Plan and coordinate the development of statistical, financial and management information related to employee relations.
• Assist with salary recommendations for budget purposes
• Provide information as requested to represent the District\xe2\x80\x99s interest in property, casualty, and liability insurance programs.
• Represent the District\xe2\x80\x99s interests in student accident insurance programs.

Community Relations

• Prepare enrollment projections and assist the Superintendent in projecting staff requirements.
• Participate in local, regional, state, and national professional/educational organizations to stay abreast of school finance and related issues.
• Regularly confer with building principals and administrators regarding problems/solutions related to District operations.
• Approve all applicable contracts related to school department business and operations.

Food Service

• Supervise the School Nutrition Director for in-house contract service provider food service programs.
• Monitor the general operations and financial procedure of the food service program

Office Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the District finances and business operations.
• Act as advisor to the Superintendent concerning financial affairs and matters of general importance to the educational program.
• Provide necessary business services in cooperation with the instructional activities of the school District.
• Participate in decision-making and policy development processes within the system.
• Establish programs of orientation and staff development for assignment staff.
• Supervise administrative office services dealing with telephone, postage, and office equipment operation, general mail receipt and distribution, including courier service for interschool mail and centralized copying/duplicating services
• Performs other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises Food Services, Budget and Finance, and Payroll. Evaluates School Nutrition Director, School Business Analyst, and the Accounting Assistant.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong analytical, computer and communication skills to support data base management, forecasting, cost-benefit analyses and decision-making activities.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, local and school committee laws, policies, regulations, and procedures relating to finance, budgeting, and employment.
• Knowledge of sound management, budget planning and financial management principles and practices.
• Labor relations and negotiations, public construction, municipal finance and town charter and by-laws.
• Excellent organizational, management, oral and written communications, and human relations skills.
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in a specific field.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, municipal staff and the community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all District requirements and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education\xe2\x80\x99s policies.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient knowledge of MUNIS or similar accounting system.
• Excellent budgetary knowledge and analytical skills.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Master\xe2\x80\x99s Degree is preferred. Prior experience as a School Business Administrator or other District level finance position.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education SBO (School Business Officer) License required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the workday. Must be able to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). Must be able to communicate with other intra-company personnel. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. The employee will occasionally frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk while performing the duties of this job. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with other staff members in person and on the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in this environment is usually quiet to moderate. The employee must be able to work safely and efficiently in public areas. The employee interacts with other staff members, students, and the public. Upon consultation with the Superintendent, the Director of Finance may be asked to attend occasional to semi-regular night meetings in support of the District.
The physical demands and 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. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
Position: Director of Finance and Operations Department: District-wide Reports to: Superintendent FLSA Classification: Exempt Approved by: Thomas Milaschewski, Ed.D. Revision Date: April 6, 2023