About This Organization

The Portland Public Schools (PPS) serves approximately 6,500 students in 17 schools in pre-K through grade 12, about one-third of whom come from homes where a language other than English is spoken – for a total of more than 50 languages. The district serves an additional 4,000 students through Portland Adult Education. As the largest school system in Maine, the mission of Portland Public Schools is to ensure a challenging, relevant, and joyful education that empowers every learner to make a difference in the world. The district seeks an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead alongside a dynamic Superintendent and support the implementation of the new five year strategic plan. This is a hands-on CFO position which requires strategic leadership but also the ability to get into the weeds and proactively solve problems alongside a developing finance and accounting team.

About the Chief Financial Officer Role

Reporting directly to the Superintendent, the Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and leads the organization’s long-term financial strategy and oversees the day-to-day finance and accounting. The person is responsible for all aspects of financial management including but not limited to: budget planning, general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial controls and reporting, cash management, and compliance.  The CFO leads a team of 10 individuals and sets goals and objectives that direct the management of fiscal resources of approximately $160M. The CFO serves as the financial face of the organization, supporting the Superintendent in interactions with city, county, and state leaders.   

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

• Visionary and Strategic Leadership
• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and contribute to setting vision and strategic direction for the organization.
• Develop and maintain the annual budget and multi-year financial plans to ensure stability and sustainability in coordination with the Executive Leadership Team and Finance Committee.
• Lead and effectively communicate on long-term financial planning, forecasting and economic modeling; assess financial implications of potential strategic and growth alternatives.
• Understand relevant macro and micro trends that meaningfully impact the organization and enable the organization to benefit from emerging opportunities and mitigate emerging risks.
• Financial Leadership and Management
• Implement a clear and transparent budget process that aligns with the organization’s key priorities and initiatives.
• Facilitate the preparation and presentation of monthly budget reporting and annual projections for all aspects of the budget; collaborate with the team to ensure accuracy of analysis and reporting.
• Represent the organization, as needed, on budgetary matters in various venues, delivering written and oral presentations on the budget and fiscal matters and other financial concerns to the board members, city leaders, union leaders, school leaders, teachers, parents, and community groups.
• Prepare the Executive Leadership Team, and board members for effective decision-making conversations, anticipating and organizing key questions and data that support productive discussions to direct key fiscal priorities.
• Maintain productive working relationships with board and finance committee members, district team members, school leaders, city and state officials, auditors, lenders, bondholders, insurers and other financial institutions.
• Ensure compliance with the financial requirements of the city, and all other state and federal agencies and ensure accurate and timely preparation of audits and IRS forms.
• Build a service-oriented culture that is responsive to the employees, ensuring accuracy and accountability for processes and procedures.
• Systems, Training and Execution
• Provide project management oversight for priority short- and long-term initiatives; develop tools to track progress and monitor key performance goals.
• Implement adequate internal controls and ensure adequate accounting records to document compliance with local, state, and federal laws and ordinances.
• Serve as a critical thought-partner and support for department leaders on budgetary matters and build their capacity as fiscal stewards of the organization’s resources. 
• Assists department and school leaders with financial matters as necessary, including, but not limited to, answering inquiries and explaining policies and procedures, preparing budget estimates, and determining the cost of new, expanded, or reorganized programs.
• Create proactive systems that garner feedback from the district office and schools to inform the budget process, budget transparency, and fiscal stewardship.
• Ensure the successful implementation of the new payroll processing system. 
• Oversees the district’s process management system and develops tools to ensure coherence throughout the financial system.
• Safeguards the physical assets by implementing adequate internal controls and ensuring adequate accounting records to document compliance with local, state, and federal laws and ordinances.
• Assess the distribution of resources with a clear equity lens, ensuring allocations provide the best resources to equitably and effectively meet the needs of all students, families, and schools.  
• Talent Development and Management 
• Lead, coach and manage the performance and effectiveness of the finance team, aligned around a shared vision of operational excellence, performance goals, effective controls and monitoring of the budget, and excellent service to schools.
• Supervise and conduct personnel administration duties, including hiring and firing recommendations, evaluating, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and approving leave for all direct reports. 
• Build a service-oriented team culture that is responsive to the employees and the broader community.
• Update documentation and training materials to ensure proper compliance with financial procedures.

Benefits