Location: Boston,MA, USA
This position is an anticipated vacancy and is expected to be vacant by 11/12/2024. The current incumbent may rescind their retirement, leave, or resignation until the expected vacancy date. Confirmation of hire will occur only after the position is vacated.
Reports to: Executive Director of Facilities
Work Location: Campbell Resource Center, 1216 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02125
General Description of PositionBoston Public Schools (BPS) is the largest school district in Massachusetts, serving approximately 43,000 students with a $1.2 billion budget. The Office of Facilities Management is one of the district's largest departments, overseeing an annual budget of approximately $90 million, which is about 10% of total spending. Daily, our employees clean and maintain around 125 school facilities covering 11 million sq. ft. and serving 43,000 students in the Boston area. We are also involved in the Long Term Facilities Plan and the Mayor's initiative for capital upgrades across the district.
In 2016, BPS released a Long Term Financial Plan aimed at enhancing financial sustainability and generating savings to reinvest in classrooms. The Facilities department processes hundreds of vendor contracts and thousands of work orders/purchase orders, and is currently managing a new work order/asset management system.
ResponsibilitiesThe Assistant Director will have critical responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Financial Analysis and Budgeting:
Develop annual budget projections based on historical spending patterns.
Create spending models to understand departmental costs better.
Implement strategies to contain and reduce cost growth.
Prepare and present monthly operational efficacy and spending reports to the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Collaborate with Operations and Finance to estimate the financial impact of potential policy changes explored by the School Committee, District Leadership, or the City of Boston.
Oversee the Procurement, Accounts Payable and Data staff and other staff as needed.
Operations Support:
Analyze data from Facilities databases for insights.
Support negotiations of collective bargaining agreements.
Manage the District's permits and SchoolDude systems.
This position is vital for ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the department and, by extension, Boston Public Schools.
Qualifications - Required:Bachelor's degree
3-5 years of experience in auditing, general business, or related fields
Extensive experience managing complex projects in a fast-paced environment with a proven ability to manage high-level relationships with contractors and school communities
Extreme proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Gmail, Google Sheets/Docs)
Knowledge of basic financial management principles
Willingness to learn and adapt, demonstrating a drive for continuous improvement
Ability to design and execute sophisticated financial analyses
Strong understanding of detailed information while being able to explain it clearly to senior district or city leadership.
Candidates must have authorization to work in the U.S. by their first day of employment
Qualifications - Preferred:
Master's Degree in accounting, finance, management, or related fields; secondary priority in public policy, education, or urban planning.
Multiple years of experience in auditing, budgeting, accounting, or financial management, preferably in a public/government setting.
Excellent public speaking skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in public forums and demonstrate sensitivity to a diverse student and employee population.
Knowledge of Massachusetts Procurement Laws (Ch 30-39M, Ch 149, Ch 30B, Ch 7C & Ch 44 E).
MCPPO Certified or willing to complete training within the first 6 months of employment.
Experience in Leases, License, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) & Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Terms: Managerial, D62. Evening & Weekend Availability RequiredThe Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate based on race, color, age, criminal record, disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, or military status. We do not tolerate retaliation or bias-based intimidation that undermines individual dignity or ability to learn or work.