Chief Financial Officer

Employer San Antonio Independent School District

Location San Antonio, Texas

Reports to Superintendent of Schools

Position Full-time, exempt;
Non-Chapter 21 contract

Work year 230 days

Base salary $180,000-$225,000

Preferred start As soon as mutually agreeable

San Antonio ISD is seeking a strategic, hands-on Chief Financial Officer to join the Superintendent's cabinet and provide district wide financial leadership at a consequential moment for the school system. The CFO will partner closely with Superintendent Dr. Adrian Bustillos, the Board of Trustees, and senior leaders to translate the district's priorities into sustainable financial strategies that improve outcomes and opportunities for students.

Serving approximately 44,000 students across more than 80 schools, SAISD manages an annual operating budget exceeding $500 million and an active $1.3 billion bond program. This role offers the opportunity to lead financial strategy and daily operations at scale, strengthen long-range planning and transparency, and help the district direct resources toward its highest-impact priorities.

The successful candidate will combine deep Texas public-school finance knowledge with operational discipline, sound judgment, collaborative leadership, and the ability to communicate complex financial matters clearly to the Board, staff, families, and community.

The Chief Financial Officer serves as the district's senior financial executive and chief financial adviser to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees. The CFO provides strategic and operational leadership for financial planning, budgeting, accounting, treasury, investments, financial reporting, internal controls, and the district's financial responsibilities related to bonds and capital construction. The CFO leads assigned Financial Services departments and works across the organization to ensure that resources are managed lawfully, transparently, equitably, and in alignment with district priorities.

• Advise the Superintendent and Board. Serve as a trusted, candid adviser on the district's financial condition, major investments, operating decisions, risks, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead long-range planning. Develop multi-year financial forecasts and scenarios that account for enrollment, attendance, state funding, property values, compensation, facilities, and other material drivers.
• Align resources with priorities. Lead a transparent annual budget process that connects resource allocation to district goals, student needs, measurable outcomes, and financial sustainability.
• Identify opportunities and risks. Recommend responsible cost efficiencies, revenue strategies, and course corrections while protecting instructional quality and critical services.

• Oversee daily financial operations. Provide leadership and accountability for assigned functions, including budgeting, accounting, accounts payable, payroll, cash and treasury management, investments, financial reporting, grants and special revenue, and related activities.
• Maintain accurate, timely reporting. Ensure the integrity of the district's accounting records, financial statements, forecasts, budget reports, and required state and federal submissions.
• Strengthen systems and controls. Establish and continuously improve internal controls, policies, procedures, service standards, and financial systems that safeguard assets and support effective decision-making.
• Manage liquidity and investments. Oversee cash flow, investments, receipt and disbursement of funds, debt-service obligations, and compliance with applicable district policies and law.
• Support sound contracting. Review and provide financial recommendations concerning significant contracts, procurements, and commitments for goods and services.

• Steward the district's bond program. Lead the district's financial responsibilities associated with the active $1.3 billion bond program and related construction and technology investments.
• Oversee debt and financing. Coordinate debt issuance, debt-service planning, interest and sinking fund management, bond compliance, arbitrage and disclosure responsibilities, and financial analysis of capital-program decisions.
• Coordinate expert partners. Work effectively with Construction and Development Services, financial advisers, bond counsel, underwriters, auditors, rating agencies, and other external partners.
• Promote public accountability. Provide clear, accurate, and accessible reporting to the Board, bond oversight bodies, and community regarding the financial status of bond projects and commitments.

• Ensure regulatory compliance. Maintain compliance with Texas Education Agency requirements, the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), Governmental Accounting Standards Board standards,…