Jobs

Position Description: Director of Finance and Operations (Full-time, On-site)

Location: Providence, RI

Start date: Flexible Start Date

Mission Statement:

The San Miguel School, a Lasallian middle school, provides a high quality, holistic education for boys from diverse and challenging backgrounds.

In a caring, safe, and structured environment, we foster a spirit of mutual respect and brotherhood among all students. We walk with our students and their families throughout their educational journey at San Miguel and beyond.

Inspired by the pillars of faith, service, and community, each “Miguel Man” is encouraged to learn, to serve, and to grow to reach his full potential.

State of the School: It’s an exciting time to join San Miguel. Now in our 33rd year, we are an all-boys’ middle school serving 64 students in grades 5-8 in a mission-driven environment where each student is celebrated for who he is. Providing continued support and services to our 450 graduates in high school and beyond, our success is the result of a student-centered and fully-committed staff, a talented board of directors, and hundreds of donors and volunteers. The year ahead holds the promise of an exciting strategic planning process that will engage multiple stakeholders in our re-accreditation, potential programmatic expansion to reflect the educational needs in our community, and an increased focus on life skills and career exploration. The DFO plays a critical, hands-on role in both the daily operations of the school and the strategic-level planning and execution of the school’s important mission.

For more information about our school, please visit www.sanmiguelprov.org

Position Summary:

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) will be a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director (ED), to whom the role reports, as well as a hands-on and participative manager leading and/or collaborating with an internal team across finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources, building management, and IT. Partnering closely with the senior leadership team on strategic decision-making and operations, the DFO will play a critical role as SMS continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity. This position will have the opportunity to help shape a comprehensive strategic plan renewal, including programmatic expansion, as well as continue to improve the productivity and efficiency of systems and processes in the business office.

Direct Reports/Recurring Contracted Vendors include: Bookkeeper, Maintenance Manager, School Bus Driver, Food Service Specialist, Dining Services, and Cleaning Services.

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, lead the development of policies and procedures that advance San Miguel’s mission and safeguard the well-being of the school and its employees;
• Engage in cooperative decision making with the Leadership Team and Board, serve as liaison to the Board’s Finance Committee, Investment Committee and Facilities Committee;
• Provide vision, direction and motivation to direct reports to ensure resources are allocated in the manner most consistent with the mission;
• Attend all Board meetings and provide reports as requested;
• By example, demonstrate the school’s commitment to mission, service and community

Financial Management

After thirty-three years of prudent financial management and exceptional donor commitment, SMS boasts a debt-free balance sheet with $18M in net assets. The DFO will ensure the sustainability and growth of SMS by effectively managing a $3M annual operating budget. (98% of revenues are provided through fundraising efforts and approximately 70% of expenses are attributed to salaries and benefits.)

Key responsibilities include:

• Analyze and present financial reports accurately and in a timely manner; clearly communicate quarterly and annual financial statements; oversee all financial, project/program, and grants accounting.
• Lead the annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the Executive Director; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes, and keep senior leadership informed of the organization’s financial status.
• Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
• With the assistance of a part-time bookkeeper, manage the daily operations of the business office, including payroll, payables, revenue recognition, and bank reconciliations.
• Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; ensure compliance with annual filings and certifications, including E-Rate, RIDE, RI Gov, and Christian Brothers organizations.
• In partnership with the Chairs of the Finance and Investment Committees, report financial and operational matters to the Board.
• Report on endowment accounts and facilitate Investment Committee meetings in partnership with the Investment Manager.
• Collaborate with the Development Team to track donor giving, prepare grant applications, and assist with donor stewardship.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process and the filing of Form 990.

Human Resources, Technology and Administration

As a school, our most important resources are our 25–30 employees and permanent contractors. The DFO is an integral leadership partner in creating an employee retention culture. The DFO is focused on ensuring fair, equitable, and up-to-date employment practices, policies, and programs. The DFO must also exemplify emotional intelligence and confidentiality, and be a steady presence in supporting staff wellness, retention, and school culture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Analyze and manage appropriate compensation, benefit, and retirement plan models.
• Manage personnel issues in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Partner with the Leadership Team on staff recruitment and retention; serve as a resource on HR best practices.
• Manage IT infrastructure and equipment deployment to all staff in partnership with the IT consulting/help desk company; work with the STEAM Program Manager to manage EdTech resources.
• Work closely and transparently with all external partners, including third-party vendors and consultants, in managing the services they provide to the school.

Facilities

SMS owns and operates out of one 35,000 sq ft. building, built in 1967, in the north end of Providence. In partnership with the Facilities Committee, the DFO will ensure the capital improvement master plan meets the needs of the program and staff.

Key responsibilities include:

• With the help of the Maintenance Manager, ensure the building is open, running, and safe.
• Continually plan capital improvements and scheduled maintenance to minimize reactive troubleshooting; manage all security and energy aspects of the building.
• Manage the food service program, with a focus on providing healthy meals, by partnering with the school’s food vendor and supervising the Food Service Specialist.
• Manage the school-owned bus and driver.

Qualifications:

• B.A. required; MBA, CPA, or related advanced degree preferred
• At least 5 years of professional experience, ideally including 3+ years in a nonprofit and/or educational setting
• Proven track record of final responsibility for financial data, reporting, and audit coordination for a division or significant program area; experience overseeing an HR function preferred
• Ability to translate financial concepts for, and collaborate effectively with, program and fundraising colleagues without finance backgrounds
• Tech-savvy, with experience selecting and overseeing software systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of setting priorities and implementing solutions
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Comfortable multitasking and engaging in all aspects of school life.
• Integrity, credibility, and genuine dedication to the mission of San Miguel School

Compensation and benefits:

This is a full-time, twelve-month exempt position.

The salary range for this position is $85K – $95K. SMS offers a competitive employee benefit package.

How to apply:

Please send cover letter and resume to: DFOsearch@sanmiguelprov.org