Director of Finance and Operations | Job Description 2022-23
Elm City Montessori School, launched in August 2014, is New Haven’s first public Montessori school. We currently serve approximately 300 students between the ages of 3 and 13. New Haven, Connecticut is a thriving arts, cultural, and education hub, located in the center of a growing community of public Montessori schools.
The Director of Finance & Operations provides leadership for and manages all operational functions, including all human resources, finance, IT, and facilities and is responsible for ensuring that the school complies with all relevant state/local/federal rules and regulations. The Director of Finance & Operations reports to the Principal and is a key member of the school’s leadership team and will play an important role in ensuring the school’s short- and long-term success. This is a 12-month position.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Human Resources Management
Develops and manages human resources policies and programs for the entire school; conducts a continuing study of all human resources policies, programs, and practices
Supervises ECMS staff hiring and onboarding
Identifies and ensures compliance with legal requirements and government reporting/regulations affecting human resources (e.g., OSHA, EEO, ERISA, Wage and Hour)
Monitors human resources exposure of the organization
Leads decision-making on employee benefits programs
Directs the preparation and maintenance of files and reports that are necessary to carry out human resources responsibilities
Supervises and evaluates the Business Manager and Facilities & Operations Manager
Finances and Purchasing
Manages school finances as outlined in the ECMS Financial Policies & Procedures and reviews/updates policies annually and coordinates board review/approval
Develops and manages the school’s annual budget
Submits and manages all state and federal grants
Coordinates with accountant and manages the school’s annual audit process
Supervises the purchasing and leasing of materials, services, supplies, and equipment
Prepares requests for proposals, issues and receives bid requests and interviews vendors regarding the purchase of materials, services, supplies, and equipment in accordance with the school’s charter and state regulations
Facilities
Leads leasing negotiations, facilities alteration and refurbishment
Plans and manages short- and long-range facilities projects
Negotiates contracts and supervises the work of cleaning, maintenance, and external contractors and staff
Ensures that the interior and exterior of the school facility are clean, healthy, and safe (aligned with our ‘care for the environment’ values).
Data and Information
Supervises the input and retrieval of all data and information pertaining to essential records and files, including personnel records, student academic and health records, fire and safety records, and central files
Maintains and guides the potential purchasing of information systems software to ensure the effective and efficient maintenance of school data and records
Supervises the inventory and maintenance of school property
Supervises and/or prepares reports to the CSDE, NHPS, funders, and other agencies as required
Correspondence, Communication, and Technology
Supervises the preparation and dissemination of external school correspondence
Ensures the messages in school’s voicemail, website, and other social media are current and appropriate
Approves the purchase and/or lease of all office and instructional equipment and supervises the maintenance of all office and instructional equipment
Ensures the appropriate backup and storage of computer files
Supervises and performs when necessary operational and office tasks
Other Responsibilities
Coordinates Finance and Capital Planning Committee meetings and presents regular reports to the Board of Trustees
Manages partnerships with the New Haven Public School business and facilities departments and the City of New Haven Parks & Public Works departments
Coordinates MOU negotiations with New Haven Public Schools
Directs special projects, as needed
Required Skills and Experience
A successful candidate:
Possesses a Connecticut School Business Administrator certification (085) or equivalent, or a Master’s degree in accounting, business/finance or non-profit management
Has a minimum of five years of top level administrative experience, preferably in a public/charter school or public agency setting
Is proficient in basic office computer skills, including, but not limited to Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and Google Suite
Demonstrates the capacity for independent work, flexibility, the capacity to handle multiple demands and effective prioritization
Has a firm commitment to upholding the school’s mission
Compensation: $95,000-$105,000 based on education and experience. Medical, vision and dental benefits available.
Interested applicants may fill out ECMS Employment Application:
https://docs.google.com/forms
Interviews scheduled to begin in January 2023
Revised: November 2022
