Director of Finance

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer the Director of Finance serves as KIPP Columbuss senior finance leader and is responsible for ensuring the organizations long-term financial health sustainability and operational excellence.

The Director of Finance oversees budgeting accounting financial reporting compliance grants management and long-range financial planning while partnering closely with organizational leaders to provide the financial insight necessary to support strategic decision-making. This role serves as a trusted advisor to school and departmental leaders helping translate complex financial information into practical recommendations that strengthen organizational performance.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative systems-oriented finance leader who enjoys building high-performing teams improving organizational effectiveness and creating financial systems that enable schools and students to thrive.

Responsibilities of KIPP Columbus Director of Finance include but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Lead the financial stewardship of KIPP Columbuss approximately $35 million operating budget.

• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts enrollment and staffing models and long-range financial plans that support organizational sustainability.

• Partner with the Chief Strategy Officer and organizational leaders to evaluate strategic initiatives organizational investments and financial risks.

• Provide financial analysis and recommendations that support organizational planning and informed decision-making.

• Partner with the Chief People Officer to develop long-term compensation models that support organizational sustainability and talent strategy.

Financial Operations & Reporting

• Oversee all accounting budgeting payroll cash management financial reporting and annual audit activities.

• Ensure timely accurate financial reporting for organizational leadership the Board of Directors authorizers and external stakeholders.

• Maintain strong internal controls financial policies and accounting procedures that support operational excellence and compliance.

• Develop financial models dashboards and reporting tools that improve forecasting scenario planning and organizational decision-making.

• Continuously evaluate financial allocation methodologies and resource planning practices to ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

Compliance Grants & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal state charter grant and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee grant budgeting reporting reimbursement monitoring and compliance processes.

• Lead organizational risk management efforts including insurance administration legal coordination and financial compliance.

• Develop maintain and continuously improve organizational financial policies and administrative procedures.

Strategic & Annual Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with school leaders and department leaders.

• Support the development of KIPP Columbuss multi-year strategic plans by ensuring financial alignment with organizational priorities.

• Establish systems to monitor organizational financial performance and progress toward strategic goals.

• Provide financial analysis and decision support to leaders across the organization.

Team Leadership

• Lead coach and develop members of the Finance team while fostering a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Build systems and processes that improve efficiency service and organizational effectiveness.

• Develop strong cross-functional partnerships with leaders across academics operations talent development and school leadership.    

Qualifications :

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking and sound financial judgment.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.

• The ability to build trust and influence across diverse stakeholders.

• Strong leadership coaching and team development skills.

• Excellent written verbal and presentation skills.

• A systems mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

• A commitment to equity and educational opportunity.

• The ability to translate complex financial information into actionable recommendations for non-financial leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Business Administration or a related field required.

• CPA MBA or Masters degree in a related field preferred.

• 810 years of progressively responsible finance leadership experience including budgeting financial reporting forecasting accounting operations and team leadership.

• Experience leading finance functions within a complex mission-driven organization; experience in K12 education charter schools nonprofit organizations or public sector organizations strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated success developing multi-year financial plans forecasting models and organizational budgets.

• Experience overseeing annual audits grants management financial compliance and internal controls.

• Experience presenting financial information to senior leadership governing boards or other executive stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of accounting principles financial systems and financial reporting best practices.

• Demonstrated success building systems improving processes and leading organizational change.

• Ability to negotiate contracts manage vendor relationships and oversee external service providers.

• Passion for KIPP Columbuss mission and a deep commitment to educational equity and expanding opportunities for students and families.

Additional Information :

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance as well as group term life insurance retirement plan and paid time off.

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission employment etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability gender nationality race or ethnicity religion sexual orientation or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time