Chief Financial Officer; CFO

Chief Financial Officer

The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's:
Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities. The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools, career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District's vision and mission. C.O.R.E.: C
- Children First:
The well-being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions. O
- One Chester Upland:
With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland. R
- Reimagining:
Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all. E
- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence:
We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.

Position Summary The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the district's senior financial and business operations executive and provides strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for all fiscal and business functions of the school district. The CFO is responsible for ensuring the district's financial resources are managed prudently, transparently, efficiently, and in alignment with the district's educational priorities, strategic plan, Board policies, applicable laws, and regulatory requirements.

The CFO will provide comprehensive leadership over Finance, Payroll, Facilities, Food Service, and Transportation, ensuring strong internal controls, sound fiscal practices, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and effective stewardship of public funds. This position requires an experienced financial leader who can balance long-term financial strategy with rigorous day-to-day fiscal oversight. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in public-sector finance, budgeting, financial forecasting, audit and compliance, procurement, labor-related financial matters, and operational management within a complex organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Fiscal Leadership & Financial Management Serve as the District's chief financial advisor to the Superintendent, Receiver and Board of School Directors. Develop, implement, and continuously monitor a comprehensive financial management strategy for the district. Direct all District financial operations and establish systems that promote fiscal integrity, accountability, transparency, and sustainability. Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts, financial models, and long-range fiscal plans.

Monitor revenues, expenditures, cash flow, fund balances, debt obligations, grants, and other financial commitments. Identify financial risks, emerging fiscal challenges, and opportunities for cost containment and operational efficiencies. Provide timely, accurate, and meaningful financial reports and analysis to the Superintendent, Board, and other appropriate stakeholders. Ensure financial decisions are data-driven and aligned with the district's educational mission and strategic priorities.

Establish appropriate financial controls, policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms to safeguard district resources. Oversee investment, banking, cash management, debt management, and other treasury-related functions as applicable. Ensure appropriate management of restricted, committed, assigned, and unrestricted funds. Evaluate the financial impact of collective bargaining agreements, staffing decisions, capital projects, contracts, and major operational initiatives. Budget Development & Oversight Lead the development of the district's annual operating and capital budgets.

Establish a rigorous, transparent, and participatory budget development process. Work collaboratively with the Superintendent and Cabinet to establish budget priorities and resource allocations. Present budget recommendations, financial projections, and supporting analysis to the Superintendent, Receiver and Board. Monitor budget-to-actual performance throughout the fiscal year and recommend corrective action when necessary. Develop and maintain multi-year budget projections and scenario analyses. Analyze enrollment trends, staffing levels, compensation costs, pension obligations, healthcare costs, transportation expenses, facility needs, and other significant cost drivers.

Ensure compliance with Pennsylvania budgetary, reporting, and financial requirements. Identify opportunities to maximize available local, state, and federal funding. Finance Department Provide direct leadership and oversight of the Finance Department. Establish clear expectations for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, cash management, financial reporting,…