The client is seeking a Deputy Chief Financial Officer to oversee all financial activities for a school district. The role will support the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) by helping develop financial and operational strategy aligned with the district’s strategic priorities, and by providing strategic recommendations based on detailed analysis and projections to strengthen financial health and performance.
Key responsibilities include supporting cash management, audit support, risk management, procurement and logistics, and grants and budget development. The position will refine financial infrastructure through long-term forecasting and budgeting, cash flow management, grant and contract management, and compliance, and will help manage district debt activities such as bond and capital financing, debt service scheduling, and coordination with external advisors. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will also support financial compliance for federal education programs, ensure adherence to required federal standards and reporting practices, develop and automate processes for procurement, grant tracking, general ledger, and financial reporting, and support the refinement of a school-based budgeting approach intended to give principals greater budget control while maintaining accountability.
The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree and will typically have a master’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a related field. The role is expected to require at least seven (7+) years of experience, including three (3) or more years in a senior finance and/or operations function in a K-12 environment, with experience overseeing large budgets preferred, and experience implementing systems and processes for an urban school district. Experience with PeopleSoft or a similar ERP system is expected; the role will also require hands-on management of the finance team, ongoing communication of financial health and critical decisions to leadership, and the ability to serve as acting CFO as needed.