Chief Financial Officer

Classification: Admin/Prof

Exemption Status/Test: Exempt/Executive

Job Grade: N/A

Department: Center for Finance and Business Services

Reports To: Chief of Finance and Business Strategy

Job Goal:

Serve as the senior executive operational leader responsible for the execution, integrity, integration, and continuous improvement of Region 4's financial, procurement, and external business support services. Provide executive leadership to ensure sound financial stewardship, efficient and customer-focused service delivery, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and the long-term sustainability of assigned programs and enterprise activities. Translate the strategic direction established by the Chief of Finance and Business Strategy into coordinated operational plans, systems, performance measures, and accountability structures that advance Region 4's mission and strengthen support for school districts and charter schools.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance, accounting, business services, operational administration, or related executive leadership roles
• At least five (5) years of supervisory experience leading multiple functional areas and professional staff
• Demonstrated experience leading complex financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, audit coordination, internal controls, and regulatory compliance
• Demonstrated experience overseeing enterprise funds, fee-for-service operations, shared services, or other self-supporting business activities
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional operations and implementing organizational process improvements
• Demonstrated experience providing consultative services, business support services, or customer-focused operational services to external organizations
• Demonstrated experience leading financial systems, reporting tools, ERP implementations, or large-scale operational improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing professional and leadership staff
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, governing boards, and external stakeholders

Preferred:

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA), Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO), or another relevant professional certification
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA), School Finance Officer (SFO), or other relevant professional certification
• Experience in a public-sector, educational service center, school district, governmental, or similarly regulated environment
• Experience overseeing procurement, business services, or other cross-functional administrative services
• Experience managing enterprise fund budgeting, cost recovery, pricing strategies, business planning, and long-term financial sustainability
• Experience leading ERP implementations, business systems modernization, data analytics initiatives, or enterprise reporting solutions
• Experience managing compliance in state and federally regulated programs
• Experience developing and delivering business support services, shared services, or consultative services to external customers
• Experience supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, new service development, or organizational growth strategies

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, forecasting, internal controls, and enterprise fund management
• Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and reporting requirements related to finance, procurement, grants, and business operations
• Knowledge of business systems, ERP platforms, financial reporting tools, data analytics, and data governance practices
• Knowledge of public-sector and educational business operations, including financial services, procurement, and external support services
• Ability to lead complex financial and business operations and analyze financial, operational, and organizational issues with a high degree of independence and accountability
• Ability to establish effective systems, processes, internal controls, and accountability structures across multiple functions
• Ability to supervise, develop, and mentor directors, managers, and professional staff and build high-performing teams
• Ability to communicate complex financial and operational information effectively to executive leadership, governing boards, staff, school districts, charter schools, and external stakeholders
• Ability to align financial, operational, and business support functions with organizational priorities and strategic objectives
• Skill in strategic problem-solving, project management, organizational change management, and continuous improvement
• Skill in developing collaborative relationships and delivering customer-focused business services and consultative support
• Skill in exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in sensitive or high-impact matters

Major Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership and Oversight

• Direct and oversee accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, forecasting, and other financial operations to ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial information.
• Lead development of the annual budget and provide ongoing financial monitoring and analysis.
• Monitor and mitigate financial and operational risk.
• Oversee enterprise fund planning, monitoring, cost recovery, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Support the development and implementation of business plans, financial models, and performance measures established by the Chief of Finance and Business Strategy.

Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Serve as the primary liaison for external audits and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Establish, maintain, and improve internal control systems and financial procedures.
• Implement corrective actions arising from audits and monitoring activities

Business Services

• Provide leadership and oversight for Procurement, including contract management, internal purchasing, and cooperative programs.
• Support operational leaders in planning, budgeting, performance improvement, and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Oversee the operational performance and financial sustainability of enterprise activities and fee-supported services.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Provide oversight of financial and business systems, including ERP and reporting platforms, and ensure data integrity, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Lead the implementation of new technologies, process improvements, and automation initiatives that strengthen service delivery, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

External Business Services and District Support

• Provide executive oversight of Region 4''s back-office support services and consultative business services provided to school districts and charter schools.
• Ensure effective delivery of financial, accounting, payroll, procurement, grants, and business operations support services and establish service standards and performance expectations.
• Develop operational processes and staffing models that support the growth and sustainability of external business services.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with district and charter school leaders and ensure high-quality, cross-functional support to external customers.
• Monitor customer satisfaction, recommend service improvements, and support the development and implementation of new service offerings and consultative business solutions.
• Assist the Chief of Finance and Business Strategy in evaluating opportunities to expand business services and entrepreneurial activities and represent Region 4 in matters related to financial and business support services.

Leadership and Staff Development

• Supervise directors, assistant directors, managers, and other assigned staff and establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and performance standards.
• Develop staff capacity, promote leadership development, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Ensure efficient and effective day-to-day operations across assigned functions and serve as the operational integrator across Finance and Business Services.

Strategic Execution

• Translate organizational strategy into actionable financial and operational plans and support the implementation of key initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Provide analysis, recommendations, and decision support to senior leadership regarding operational, financial, and business matters.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision/Personnel Management

• Select, train, evaluate, and supervise the staff of the Finance and Business Services Division, including completing evaluations per Region 4 policies.
• Develop and deliver training, support, and improvement plans to enhance the effectiveness of department operations.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/ Mental Demands:

Frequent use of standard office equipment; prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; repetitive hand motions (keyboarding and use of mouse); occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds); may work prolonged and irregular hours; occasional statewide travel; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure.