Managing Consultant, School Finance Initiatives

Are you passionate about improving educational outcomes through smarter financial management?

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is seeking a Managing Consultant, School Finance Initiatives to lead strategic programs supporting K-12 school districts and community colleges. In this role, you will serve as a subject matter expert, program leader, consultant, researcher, and educator, helping finance professionals address today's most pressing challenges while advancing best practices in school finance.

This position will lead GFOA's Alliance for Excellence in Smarter School Spending
, a growing network of school finance leaders dedicated to improving student outcomes through effective resource allocation and budgeting practices.

This position is based in GFOA's Chicago office with hybrid work flexibility. Some travel is required to support consulting engagements, conferences, trainings, and member events.

GFOA offers a generous benefits package, including retirement matching, medical, dental, and vision coverage. We are committed to fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. GFOA is an equal opportunity employer.

• Lead and expand GFOA's affinity group for school finance leaders across K-12 school districts and community colleges and foster other networking and collaboration opportunities for school finance practitioners, researchers, and academic professionals.

• Lead consulting engagements focused on analysis and subsequent recommendations for policy development, operational improvement, modernization efforts, and technology adoption.

• Design, develop, and deliver educational programs, courses, and training seminars for school finance professionals including resources related to budgeting and other core public finance topics.

• Lead and contribute to research initiatives focused on emerging issues and trends in school finance and development educational materials that advance best practice in financial management.

• Support GFOA advocacy efforts related to federal programs, legislation, and regulations affecting school finance professionals.

• Deep knowledge of school finance, particularly budgeting within K-12 school districts and/or community colleges as well as financial management best practices in educational institutions.
• Knowledge of public sector finance and awareness of challenges facing educational institutions and local governments.
• Ability to analyze complex information, interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.

• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives, managing multiple priorities, and delivering high-quality results using organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with both internal and external stakeholders.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to effectively engage diverse audiences, including finance officers, administrators, policymakers, and educators.

Ability to move about the office and operate standard office equipment. Must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Established in 1906, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is dedicated to advancing excellence in state and local government financial management to help build thriving communities. Our 35,000+ members throughout the United States and Canada rely on GFOA for practical education, timely resources, professional networking, and industry-leading best practices.

Through research, training, consulting, and advocacy, GFOA empowers public finance professionals to make informed decisions that strengthen government operations and improve outcomes for the communities they serve.