Chief Finance Officer (CFO)
: Job Details :

Position Type: Administration/Chief Finance Officer (CFO)Date Posted: 11/14/2024Location: Central OfficeClosing Date: 12/05/2024WORKFORCE DIVERSITY STATEMENT: The Newington Public Schools is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, growing and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community - to challenge student achievement and realize equity for all in our schools. To achieve this, we value and strive for the highest levels of:

• Family and Community Engagement;
• Culturally Relevant Organizational Practices;
• School Climate;
• Student-Centered Learning;
• Diverse Staff of Excellent Educators
• Equitable Student Access; and
• Fiscal Equity

We are interested in candidates who are passionate around these values; candidates who represent the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community; and candidates who will engage fully in our continuous improvement efforts to achieve equity for all. JOB DESCRIPTION: The Chief Finance Officer shall handle the business matters for the school system. The Chief Finance Officer shall coordinate the development and maintenance of the annual budget and long-range financial projections, including, but not limited to: financial planning, budgeting, purchasing, accounting, and cost analysis through program budgeting. The Chief Finance Officer shall also supervise and coordinate the in-house activities of the following departments: Facilities Maintenance, Food Service, Information Technology, Custodial Operations, Student Transportation, Central Supply, along with School Construction and Rehabilitation Projects (this includes both State of CT Grant Projects and District Initiatives). ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:The following statements of duties and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position.

• Responsible for budget development, administration and financial planning and budgeting for Newington Public Schools.
• Assist the Superintendent and staff to analyze financial and educational problems and develop solutions to problems which ultimately improve daily operations.
• Coordinate and administer all state and federal grant programs including school facility projects.
• Supervises the Following Departments: Business Office, Facilities Maintenance, Food Services, Custodial Operations, Transportation, Information Technology, and Central Supply.
• Oversees the district financial management systems including customized report development.
• Administers/manages Business Office functions, including payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, grants, employee benefit administration, and financial reporting..
• Manage District risk management and insurance programs (auto, property, liability, workers compensation, cyber liability, and student athletics).
• Construction project planning and management.
• Maintain appropriate records for annual audit of district accounts and state/federal reports.
• Provide for proper internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Maintain District records in compliance with records retention schedule.
• Regularly confers with building principals and administrators regarding problems/solutions related to district financial and other assigned operating areas.
• Works closely with other departments to align a common operational vision for the school district.
• Supports the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Board of Education in the Collective Bargaining and contract negotiation process.
• Attends Board meetings, and attends and presides over such other meetings as the superintendent designates.
• Prepares Board of Education items relating to areas of responsibility, submitting items in a timely and appropriate manner to the Superintendent for final review.
• Collaborate with regional and state organizations on local, state, national best practices.
• Ongoing Town/BOE Committee Assignments:

• Project Building Committees
• Union Contract Negotiations Committees
• Standing Insurance Committee (SIC)
• Employee Insurance and Pension Benefits Committee (EIPBC)

• Engages non-instructional personnel in professional learning opportunities as necessary.
• Other duties as requested by the Superintendent of Schools or the Board of Education.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Set high standards of performance for self and others.
• Exhibits confidence and commitment to the vision and mission of the district.
• Excellent organizational and adaptation skills.
• Able to comply with timelines.
• Capacity and ability to adapt to changing priorities, unexpected circumstances, and sudden changes in work assignments.
• Receptive to constructive criticism with self-discipline to implement recommendations for improvement.
• Compare, interpret, analyze and generate data and apply basic principles of statistics.
• Listen and communicate effectively in order to gather, convey or exchange information, including giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Respond appropriately to inquiries or complaints.
• Use tact and courtesy when working and dealing with the community.
• Read, comprehend, and prepare various kinds of communication and information including emails, correspondence, reports, articles, proposals, contracts, policies, charts, spreadsheets, curriculum documents, staff development plans, educational forms and data.
• Write using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Prepares and delivers presentations on educational initiatives and reform to appropriate groups and stakeholders.
• Apply principles of logical, critical, creative or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Deal with abstract and concrete variables.
• Interpret and carry out oral and/or written instructions.
• Demonstrate continued professional curiosity and growth.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of settings, verbally and in writing, using appropriate terminology.
• Carries out duties and responsibilities (both personal and professional) with credibility and integrity.
• Remains abreast of developments and innovations in the field by reading current literature and attending professional development activities.
• Interprets the district's program to lay and professional groups.
• Keeps community, professional and school staff informed on the various aspects of the school system.
• Constantly exhibits a high level of awareness of current research, practice, laws and precedents in the personnel area.
• Communicates high expectations to students, staff, and parents/guardians.
• Perform additional tasks and duties as requested.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to deal effectively with staff and the public.
• Ability to acquire a working knowledge of the functions and responsibilities of the school district.
• Ability to apply principles of office administration to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables, where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to compose clear and correct letters and reports.
• Ability to process paperwork accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to establish and maintain complex files and record systems.
• Ability to efficiently schedule and coordinate meetings and events.
• Ability to relate positively to those contacted.
• Ability to use computer equipment and related software programs.
• Ability to compile data as requested.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information as necessary.
• Ability to work effectively with other employees, elected officials and the general public in person and via the telephone.
• Knowledge of word processing, database, and spreadsheet software applications.
• Knowledge of environmental and indoor air quality regulations for school buildings
• Demonstrated competency with database development and reporting.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written form.
• Ability to learn new products and technologies as they become available.

REQUIRED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:(The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines and changing priorities and conditions.
• Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.
• Ability to attend to tasks / functions for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Ability to remember multiple tasks / assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
• Ability to move throughout the Town Hall and other Town buildings and sites.
• Works in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions.
• Exposure to video display terminals on a daily basis.
• Ability to hear normal sounds with some background noise and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to file letters, correspondence, reports, etc. in file cabinet drawers ranging from 1' to 5' from the floor.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The skills and knowledge required would generally be acquired with:

• Graduation from an accredited college with an advanced level degree with coursework in Business and/or Educational Administration and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible finance and/or administrative work; and any combination of training and experience which provides a demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Evidence of successful experience leading significant change management efforts, preferably in public schools or municipalities.
• Experience with Alio and Infinite Visions Accounting Software preferred.
• At least five years of senior-level experience working directly with chief executive officers, superintendents, boards of directors, non-profits, or community representatives.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE: Connecticut State Department of Education Endorsements required; Business Administration (085) or Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement 092) with appropriate experience and training. SALARY & TERMS:

• 12 month work year
• Minimum starting salary of $160,000; Salary is commensurate with experience and individual employment contract
• Benefits include competitive Anthem HDHP, Dental options, generous sick, personal and vacation leave

Note: The above is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.