Chief Financial Officer

Propel Schools - Pittsburgh, PA

Full-time - Executive

Pittsburgh, PA

11-50 employees

About the position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Propel Schools will play a pivotal role in delivering on the organization's mission by leading financial strategy and ensuring fiscal responsibility and integrity for both Propel Schools and the Propel Schools Foundation. This executive-level position requires a strong leader who can collaborate with the leadership team to align financial strategies with organizational growth targets and goals. The CFO will be responsible for implementing innovative, competitive, and cost-effective financial strategies that meet the organization's objectives while developing and maintaining a network of relationships with other Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) and local school districts. In this role, the CFO will oversee the development and maintenance of a technologically up-to-date fiscal accounting system, utilizing data to inform decisions and make recommendations to the Board, Finance Committee, and CEO. The CFO will also be tasked with developing forward-looking predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insights into the organization's operations and business plans. A key responsibility will be to monitor systems designed to preserve assets and report accurate financial results, while maintaining positive relationships at all levels of the organization, including the Board, CEO, and employees. The CFO will represent Propel to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, foundation executives, auditors, and public officials. Engaging with the finance committee of the board of directors, the CFO will develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections, oversee the preparation and communication of financial statements, and ensure compliance with all internal and external contracts, agreements, and grants. Additionally, the CFO will lead budgeting and forecasting processes, maximize state and federal aids, and explore alternative revenue sources to support the organization’s financial health. This position requires a commitment to ensuring the timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial reporting for federal and state funders, the Foundation, and Propel's Board of Trustees.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Propel's leadership team on key organizational strategies, ensuring alignment with financial growth targets/goals.
• Implement innovative, competitive, and cost-effective financial strategies to meet organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain a network of relationships with other CMOs nationwide and local School Districts.
• Develop and maintain a technologically up-to-date and accurate fiscal accounting system.
• Use data to inform decisions and make recommendations to the Board, Finance Committee, and CEO.
• Develop and utilize forward-looking, predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization's operations and business plans.
• Monitor systems designed to preserve assets and report accurate financial results.
• Maintain positive relationships at all levels of the organization (Board, CEO, Leaders and Employees of the Administrative Office, Foundation, and Schools).
• Represent Propel to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.
• Engage the finance committee of the board of directors to develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections.
• Oversee the preparation and communication of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Attend all board meetings, finance committee meetings, and other meetings as requested by the CEO/Superintendent.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with all internal and external contracts, agreements, and grants.
• Oversee all members of Propel's accounting team, and lead through the Controller to ensure proper supervision of all accounting team employees.
• Ensure the organization complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee cash flow planning, investments, asset management, and banking relationships.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Recognize and forecast the major sources of revenue available to public schools from local, state, and federal levels of government.
• Maximize state and federal aids, and explore alternative and innovative revenue sources.
• Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for Federal and State funders, Foundation, and Propel's Board of Trustees.
• Coordinate audits and proper filing of tax returns.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO/Superintendent.

Requirements

• B.S. in Business Management, Finance, or related field required; Master's Degree in Business Administration or equivalent preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• Minimum five years (10+ years preferred) of experience in CFO role, or equivalent, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting with a budget of $75M+.
• Experience in a senior leadership role, partnering with executive staff, resulting in the development and implementation of creative financial strategies.
• Significant experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate performance to assure high-quality programs and services.
• Significant experience in or knowledge of ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Experience working with a variety of media, technology, and software.
• Proven ability to analyze a variety of business reports and make action plans to improve metrics.
• Track record of building trusting relationships and developing a high-performing team.
• Strong sense of social justice, relentless work ethic, and unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.
• Current driver's license and access to reliable transportation; ability and willingness to travel when necessary.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in educational finance or charter school finance is a plus.
• Familiarity with state and federal funding sources for education.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution.

Benefits

• Competitive salary for executive level positions.
• Relocation allowance for new hires moving from 60 miles away or further.
• Health insurance options including medical, dental, and vision at a low cost.
• Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan with automatic contributions and matching.
• Paid leave including 16-19 paid holidays, 2 paid wellness days, 5 sick days, and 10 personal days.
• Tuition assistance reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually for eligible coursework.
• Wellness benefit reimbursement of $20 per month for wellness activities and potential earnings of up to $300 for participation in a wellness program.
• Professional development support for staff growth and leadership opportunities.