Posted: September 12, 2011

Leading Educators aims to develop the capacity of teacher-leaders in order to maximize student and faculty success through three primary objectives:

• Directly improve high-need schools by increasing the skillfulness of teacher-leaders
• Retain highly effective teachers in high-needs schools by articulating a career pathway from teaching to teacher leadership
• Create national networks aligned around investment in teacher leadership in order to close the achievement gap

In January of 2008, Leading Educators launched a pilot program in New Orleans as a partnership between FirstLine Schools and New Leaders for New Schools. To date Leading Educators has trained 47 teacher-leaders from 29 schools across the city. Building upon the New Orleans pilot and Teaching Leaders (UK), Leading Educators is now an independent 501c3 organization assembling an ambitious team to expand the program nationally. In partnership with Absolute Return for Kids, Teaching Leaders, New Leaders for New Schools, NewSchools Venture Fund and FirstLine Schools, our expansion model aims to serve 13 regions by 2016.

The Director of Finance is responsible for building out financial systems and functions for the national Leading Educators organization, including: finance, accounting, budgeting, contract management, legal compliance and strategic planning. The Director of Finance will play an important role in the internal leadership of the organization and will influence the strategic growth plan. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Finance will also liaise with the Board of Directors.

Joining an ambitious organization at a critical growth stage in its national expansion, the Director of Finance will have a founding senior management influence on shaping systems, cultivating talent, and providing strategic oversight for all financial and business operations. The role offers the unique opportunity to bring highly effective financial and business development practices into the education reform sector.

Responsibilities:

System Development and Strategy
• Start-up and drive high-functioning financial and fiscal management systems, financial plans, policies and strategy
• Inform selection of online platforms and financial management software/tools/products in consultation with Director of National Expansion’s overarching systems design
• Lead financial modeling and analysis to support development of long term strategic initiatives and business plans
• Lead Leading Educators financial strategy for sustainable service delivery and growth, optimal fiscal health and alignment of best practices from business and finance sectors

Expansion Sites and New Business
• Enhance and own the national expansion cost model, working closely with CEO and consultants on scenario modeling and financial strategies around growth and expansion to new sites, staffing timelines and new business initiatives

Financial/Accounting Management
• Direct day to day financial operations for the organization, including:
o accounting processes, personnel, monthly/quarterly/annual reporting and close
o all financial transactions including fund transfers, bank reconciliations, general ledger entries, invoicing, bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable
o payroll, onboarding and offboarding processes in conjunction with Director of Talent
• Lead executive team on strategy and projections for annual budget preparation and monthly review/variance analysis
• Manage audit process, Form 990 submission, legal compliance, and budget development
• Manage fundraising compliance and documentation in conjunction with CEO and Director of Development

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience, 3+ successfully managing the finance and administration unit of a an organization, non-profit strongly preferred
• Enjoy working to ambitious timelines for accelerated launch in a start-up, entrepreneurial environment through key phases of organizational growth
• Commitment to creating outstanding schools for social justice and educational equity
• Excel at financial and business development from vision to strategic implementation and continuous improvement
• Capacity for shaping a growing team and establishing systems
• Dynamic interpersonal and people management skills
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills
• Meticulous attention to detail within larger strategic goals
• Strong electronic and verbal presentation skills
• Fluency in financial management software
• Experience with Salesforce and scenario modeling software a plus

Craft a cover letter explaining your interest this position, and submit letter and resume to: careers@leadingeducators.org with “Director of Finance” in the subject line.

Leading Educators is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or natural origin.