Job Description

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a critical member of the Regional Leadership Team and spearheads KIPP Metro Atlanta’s financial strategy to manage fiscal resources that fuel our progress toward impact, sustainability, and scale for our organization of 5,300+ scholars; 800+ employees and a $125MM+ budget. The CFO is a strategic thought partner and advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and the Regional Leadership Team and is responsible for all aspects of financial management, including but not limited to strategic planning, finance team management, real estate acquisition, financing, and development, budgeting, accounting, financial controls and reporting, cash management, treasury management, payroll, and compliance. The Chief Financial Officer will execute KIPP Metro Atlanta School’s financial strategy, with the primary goal of ensuring long-term financial health while supporting the prioritization of resources to support scholar outcomes. The person in this role must be an experienced and accomplished finance and accounting professional and a key advisor and collaborator with internal and external stakeholders in support of the organization's strategic priorities and growth plans.

This job description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

Strategic Finance Leadership

• Manage a $125MM+ operating budget for the charter school network of 14 organizational entities and design a budget allocation methodology that ensures that resources support the organization’s priorities
• Oversee the organization’s financial performance and ensure KIPP Metro Atlanta achieves short-term and long-term financial goals
• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership team and provide strategic advice to the CEO
• Design and execute revenue maximization strategies to capture all available state/local, federal, and private dollars designated for our scholars
• Ensure KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools Board of Directors is informed and appropriately engaged by planning for and leading Board and committee meetings and identifying opportunities to engage board members on strategic issues and follow-up with members as appropriate
• Oversee the implementation of the organization’s finance philosophy and curate a culture of disciplined financial management in collaboration with the CEO
• Design a complex, long-term financial model for both steady state and growth scenarios including facilities solutions, and lead the ongoing evaluation and update of the financial model, inclusive of an enrollment and staffing model
• Design and implement strategies and systems to improve processes and create efficiencies in finance operations across the entire organization and multiple stakeholders
• Lead and oversee financial compliance for the schools, school districts, and other government agencies, Georgia Departments of Education and Revenue, the public, KIPP Foundation, and other entities as needed
• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes by leveraging the organization’s budgeting solution, Vena, resulting in an annual budget aligned to the organization’s strategic plans and priorities
• Coordinate annual board approval of the budget and the approval of budget amendments, as needed
• Proactively coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies related to financial issues to ensure that KIPP Metro Atlanta receives all per-student revenue earned
• Maintain ultimate responsibility for accurate and timely collection of funds, payments and reimbursements, and payroll
• Assess KIPP Metro Atlanta’s capital requirements and capabilities; develop long-term financing structure and debt strategies; maintain debt-related compliance
• Execute New Markets Tax Credits transactions and compliance to secure funding for capital projects, requiring complex entity, legal, tax, and process execution
• Oversee the development of management reports to analyze monthly financial results, operating results, and key metrics and lead executives through results analysis and action planning
• Serve as the key Finance leader for the organization including researching and implementing best practices, increasing technical knowledge, and driving innovation where relevant
• Create and execute a treasury management strategy and investment plans
• Manage partner relationships with banking institutions and vendors

Team Management and Leadership

• Effectively manage direct reports by providing leadership for the vision, goals, and strategy for each function, establishing clear expectations, promoting rigorous use of data, and fostering a culture of accountability across the team
• Hold high standards for performance while empowering others to proactively and creatively problem-solve, and model versatility and collaboration for the organization
• Lead as a consistent champion and proud member of their team, and seek feedback and ideas from team members at all levels in operating as a leader
• Recruits, mentors, and supports a diverse and exceptional team of professionals, diligently seeks opportunities for professional development, acts as a coach and sounding board, and serves as an organizational role model in cultivating a culture of high expectations and support
• Thoughtfully considers the impact of decisions, facilitates resolutions that protect the organization’s interests, and prioritizes scholar outcomes when conflict or disagreements arise
• Serve as a critical thought partner, and collaborator to the regional leadership team, and board
• Serve as the key finance liaison to the KIPP Foundation, our national organization that partners with KIPP regions to provide strategic oversight as well as tools, resources, and training for excellent outcomes in teaching and learning
• Develop and support implementation of structures to support cultural competence, equity and racial justice across the region

Compliance and Risk Management

• Maintain a comprehensive, accurate, and well-documented system of accounting policies, internal controls, and procedures that comply with applicable state, federal, and local regulatory laws as well as rules for financial, payroll, and tax reporting
• Lead the organization to ensure local, federal, and state compliance, understanding KIPP’s funding is dependent on meeting these requirements
• Evaluate and research best-in-class policies to recommend revisions and updates to the Chief Executive Officer, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors regularly and through the lens of equity
• Ensure adherence to the fiscal policies and procedures of KIPP Metro Atlanta
• Ensure a sustainable organization with appropriately standardized and centralized processes where applicable and implement systematic solutions across functions
• Ensure the organization’s assets are safeguarded and that strong asset management controls exist and are adhered to across the region
• Support the Controller in completing the annual financial audit and the annual tax filings.
• Monitor adherence to internal controls as a measure of checks and balances to ensure proper expenditure of funds
• Ensure that KIPP Metro Atlanta receives a clean audit each year

Grants Management & Administration

• Provide schools with support in the management of public funds including Title I, Title II, CSP, and state facility grants
• Support the Impact Team with development strategy, grant management, and reporting
• Monitor spending against restricted grants and design systems to ensure maximum benefit and appropriate expenses

Cash Management

• Manage cash flow of operating and capital funds and ensure compliance with organizational goals
• Update and maintain a 12-month cash flow projection
• Ensure cash management procedures and policies are adhered to across the organization
• Monitor endowment funds
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree; MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred
• At least ten years of relevant work experience and leadership in finance (as senior finance leader, Controller or equivalent)
• Thorough understanding of accounting industry standards and requirements
• Proficiency in utilizing and managing accounting software and reporting; Intacct and Vena experience is preferred
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent follow-up and follow-through
• Exceptional organizational skills; effective and efficient in developing systems, managing projects and processes
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial environment; flexible, willing to learn and take on new responsibilities; ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
• Exceptional work ethic and high level of professional integrity
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team; previous experience leading and developing teams and individuals
• Committed to the mission of preparing educationally underserved children for excellent high schools, colleges, careers and beyond

Additional Information

Compensation:

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. A competitive benefits package will also be offered including

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental)
• Life and Long-term Disability
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Insurance
• Enrollment in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (mandatory for all employees)

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

KIPP Metro Atlanta is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying. KIPP Metro Atlanta does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.