Chief Financial Officer, Department of Finance (C126-2627

POSITION:
Chief Financial Officer, Department of Finance

REPORTS TO:

Superintendent of Schools and CEO SUPERVISES:
Department of Finance POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the Hartford Public Schools. The CFO will ensure fiscal stability, promote financial transparency, and drive strategic financial planning to support the district's educational mission and $450 million plus budget. Additionally, the CFO will perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Hartford Public schools’ policies and applicable laws.

The Chief Financial Officer will have a laser focus on accelerating equity and organizational excellence by achieving the overarching priorities of the Hartford Public Schools’ multi-year strategic plan and annual operating plan.

The Chief Financial Officer’s responsibilities will include but will not be limited to the following:

• Advises and counsels the Superintendent regarding district finances
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of key instructional activities and establishes and implements goals to maximize performance of non-instructional functions in support of the educational goals of the district
• Develops and implements short- and long-term budget plans based on the district’s strategic objectives
• Clearly and effectively communicates with, and presents information to, governing bodies, policy makers, federal and state law making bodies, local community districts, parental districts, news media, and other interested parties upon request of the Superintendent
• Develops and maintains positive working relations with local, state, and federal government and community partners
• Eliminates workflow bottlenecks and streamlines processes and protocols by serving as point person between leadership and departments
• Develops and institutes a customer-based approach to district’s financial operations to serve students in the most effective and cost-efficient manner
• Serves as strategic leader and thought partner for Superintendent and Superintendent’s Cabinet
• Supports Superintendent in driving district accountability and responsiveness to student, educator, and community needs
• Creates a culture of engagement and expectations with principals and other administrators
• Provides guidance and direction to managers toward their professional development to ensure and maintain a skilled department staff
• Assists in ensuring district compliance with local, state, and federal policies, laws, and regulations; analyzes and interprets government regulations and statutes
• Oversees compilation, preparation, and distribution of statistical and other data for federal, State Department of Education, and local reports
• Creates presentations as necessary when required by the Superintendent
• Ensures the implementation of district policies and procedures throughout the school system
• Along with Superintendent, leads the implementation of the annual budget process which includes a stakeholder engagement strategy
• Directs fund management, position management, accounts receivable, annual budget preparation and monitoring, procurement of equipment and supplies, and payroll within the boundaries established by the Superintendent and Board of Education
• Develops and maintains long-range financial forecasts of revenues and expenditures
• Participates, as needed, in collective bargaining and provides cost estimates of Board and union proposals
• Develops and implements procedures and processes for efficient management, use, monitoring, and reporting of expenditures for general and special funds
• Approves payments, requisitions, and budgetary transfers as needed
• Works with the Executive Director of Financial Planning and Grants Management to identify funding sources for unbudgeted items
• Assists in the production of the annual Educational Financial System (EFS) for the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the City of Hartford
• As needed, testifies before the Board of Education, City Council, Municipal Accountability Review…