Business Finance Director

About RSU #63

RSU #63 (serving Clifton, Eddington, and Holden) is a proud, community-centered school district dedicated to educational excellence. We are seeking a forward-thinking, highly collaborative Business Finance Director to lead our financial operations and champion the fiscal health of our district. If you want to make a tangible, positive impact on student services through strategic leadership and meticulous financial stewardship, we want to hear from you.

• Impactful Leadership:
  Serve as a core member of the District Leadership Team and the primary financial advisor to the Superintendent and School Board.
• Comprehensive Scope:
  Direct and shape the fiscal strategy, accounting, and operational systems of a dynamic public school system.
• Supportive Environment:
  Work alongside dedicated educators and administrative professionals who value transparency, integrity, and collaboration.

• Strategic Fiscal Management & Accounting
• Financial Integrity:
  Oversee all district revenues, expenditures, and daily business operations in full compliance with GAAP and governmental accounting standards.
• Evolving Standards:
  Proactively implement new or revised governmental accounting standards (e.g., GASB updates) affecting district financial reporting.
• Fund Stewardship:
  Supervise the collection, safekeeping, strategic investment, and distribution of all district funds.
• Payroll & Benefits Excellence:
  Oversee payroll processing, tax with holdings, and payroll-related insurance functions. Ensure flawless retirement reporting and compliance, including Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) filings, social security, IRS with holdings, and tax-sheltered annuities.
• Budget Development, Forecasting & Control
• Collaborative Planning:
  Partner closely with the Superintendent to design and build annual budgets, detailed financial forecasts, and long‑range fiscal plans.
• Fiscal Guardrails:
  Administer a strict budget control system across all departments to prevent unauthorized expenditures and provide proactive alerts on potential variances.
• Reporting & Analytics:
  Deliver accurate Statements of Operations to district administrators by the 15th of each month and supervise timely financial warrants submitted to member towns.
• Program Optimization:
  Monitor, analyze, and provide strategic recommendations for the Food Services department's financial operations.
• Compliance, Auditing &
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Lead and coordinate the annual external audit process, ensuring all records are precise and audit-ready.
• Regulatory Reporting:
  Ensure the timely, accurate submission of all financial reports required by the School Board, Maine DOE, and federal entities.
• Asset Management:
  Maintain and optimize the district’s Fixed Asset Inventory System for proper valuation and tracking.
• Labor & Contract Compliance:
  Maintain strict compliance with all financial obligations outlined in collective bargaining agreements and individual employment contracts.
• Administrative Support:
  Assist administrators with the financial processing and documentation of workers' compensation and work injury claims.
• Leadership, Mentorship & Communication:
  Translate complex financial data, reports, and formulas into clear, accessible information for the School Board, staff, administration, and community members.
• Team Development:
  Directly supervise, mentor, and conduct formal annual performance evaluations for the Bookkeeper and designated finance/food service staff to foster professional growth.
• Board Engagement:
  Attend and actively participate in School Board meetings, Budget and Finance Committee meetings, and other district assemblies.

Education & Experience

• Preferred Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field (commensurate professional experience will be fully considered).
• Advanced Credentials:
  An MBA or a degree/certification in Educational Leadership is a strong plus.
• Proven Track Record:
  Solid experience successfully managing the financial affairs of a public school system or an organization of similar scale and complexity.

Specialized Knowledge & Skills

• Deep understanding of Maine school finance, state funding formulas, and Maine school law.
• Familiarity with public sector collective bargaining, labor relations, and employment contracts.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present technical fiscal metrics seamlessly to public audiences.
• A proven ability to lead independently while thriving as a collaborative member of a leadership team.

Physical Requirements

• Standard office environment tasks, including typing, filing, reaching, and the ability to safely lift up to 15 lbs.

Position Terms & Evaluation

• Employment Type:
  
  Full‑time, 12‑month position.
• Compensation:
  Salary, benefits, and work schedule to be established by the School Board and the Superintendent. Flexibility is required to attend mandatory monthly evening School Board meetings.
• Evaluation:
  Performance evaluated annually by the…