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Director of Finance

School Name: Catalyst Schools

Deadline: July 3, 2009

Website: www.catalystschools.org

Full Description:

Reports to: Operations Officer

Background: Catalyst Schools Chicago is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to transforming inner-city communities by developing highly educated, concerned, committed citizens of character. Since 2006, Catalyst has operated public schools committed to providing a quality educational choice for students and families in low-income communities of Chicago. Catalyst is searching for a financial director to strengthen its financial planning and management and to work as part of a management team focused on successfully growing a two campus operator into a multi-campus charter network. Catalyst is a small school network and currently operates two successful charter and contract schools in the Austin and North Lawndale communities, serving grades K-8. The organization expects 2009 enrollment of 600 students with the expansion of its Austin campus. Catalyst anticipates opening additional charter and/or contract schools over the next three years.

The Catalyst methodology is an educational model rooted in the Lasallian tradition and its core values. In addition to a rigorous academic program which focuses heavily on math and reading, Catalyst promotes the Character Counts curriculum through which students learn core ethics and important character traits. The Catalyst model incorporates an extended school day coupled with a rich program of extracurricular classes offered by community partners. As Catalyst Schools seeks to become an anchor as well as a change agent in its neighborhood, these community partners and student families are an integral part of the model, playing an active role in programming as volunteers, tutors and mentors. The organization also offers a graduate support program to prepare its 8th graders for a smooth transition into high school and to assist students through high school graduation. As part of Renaissance 2010, a Chicago initiative to create 100 high-performing schools in communities of need by the year 2010, Catalyst schools are held accountable for performance while being given autonomy to create innovative learning environments. In 2008, approximately 70% of Catalyst operating revenue is provided through government sources with the remainder generated from private and corporate donors. Catalyst schools are non-tuition based and open to the public.

Position:

This position, reporting to the Operations Officer, is responsible for managing all aspects of the organization's financial planning, accounting, reporting, and HR at both the individual school and network level. This includes: developing comprehensive annual budgets and multi-year financial projections; preparing financial reports and analyses for internal and external purposes; providing the organization's leadership and board comprehensive financial information to guide strategic and operational decisions; and overseeing day-to-day financial management.

Responsibilities:

Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Create both individual school and overall school network financial models
• Prepare annual budgets and five-year financial projections for individual schools, separate organizational components, and the consolidated school network
• Partner with leadership team and principals to ensure budget reflects organizational priorities
• Play key role, as management team member, in organizational strategic and operational planning processes and decisions
• Work with development office to develop and monitor grant budgets and recommend fundraising goals
• Serve as financial advisor on contracts and programmatic planning Financial Management

• Develop and implement key financial management systems, internal controls, and procedures, including policies that delineate CMO and school level financial decision-making authority
• Manage monthly cash flow and ensure all cash requirements are met
• Supervise payroll and accounts payable/receivable functions
• Manage accounts payable and receivables
• Manage debt and short- and long-term investments in accordance with Board-established policies and applicable law
• Manage financial implications and structures of facilities transactions and associated capital budgeting
• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, insurance, and investment managers
• Negotiate lines of credit and financing arrangements with lenders
• Supervise the maintenance of the inventory system of fixed assets
• Maintain adequate insurance coverage to protect agency's assets and negotiate contracts with insurance agents
• Advise risk management and crisis planning

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Supervise all accounting functions and personnel
• Prepare external financial reports for the school, CPS, and funders
• Prepare comprehensive financial reports and analyses for use by organizational management, individual school principals, and the organization's Board
• Oversee annual audit preparation
• Responsible for all financial-related compliance, record-keeping and reporting requirements.

Human Resources

• Ensure organization is operating in accordance with all state and federal employment laws.
• Develops, delivers and supervises training programs; coordinates leadership forums and supervises new employee orientation program.
• Supervises employee welfare plans such as retirement, life insurance, leaves of absence, disability benefits and other associate safety, health and wellness services.
• Administers wage and salary policies. Conduct benchmarking to ensure competitiveness.
• Develop and implement/deliver training programs and communication materials to ensure consistent and effective understanding and application of compensation and benefits programs through HR/Finance people and all levels of management
• Monitors and evaluates the company's benefits programs including: insurance programs, retirement plans, sick leave, time off and vacation policies o Negotiates coverage services and costs with brokers and carriers and present to administration
• Responsible for full administration of the 403(b) plan to include all testing and compliance
• Management of Open Enrollment of benefit plans
• Liasion with Insurance Broker and Carriers including Ameriflex (HSA, FSA, Cobra administration)

Required Qualifications: Certified Public Accountant Extensive experience developing and managing budgets of at least $3 million/year; Extensive experience developing clear, comprehensive financial reports for a range of audiences and purposes; Superior relationship management skills, including external and internal stakeholders/clients; Passion for education reform and a commitment to serving children in Chicago's underserved communities.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience operating in a charter school network or extensive knowledge of new schools; Experience with non-profit and public sector accounting and financing requirements

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Start Date: Position currently available

Application: Phone inquiries are not accepted. To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to HR@catalystschools.org - please include in the subject line 'Finance Director'.