| Location | Kent, OH |
1
Position Description
TITLE: Executive Director, Finance REPORTS TO: Senior Executive Director
COMMUNITY: Finance and Operations CLASSIFICATION: Management
FLSA: E x e m p t WORK YEAR: 260 Days
ISSUED: October 19, 2026 SALARY: Non-Represented Administrator Salary Schedule
BASIC FUNCTION:
Provides management and leadership to the bu siness and finance operations of the Kent School District (KSD) including but not limited to al l matters associated with budget management, purchasing, accounting and payroll.
The duties include but are not limited to, superv ising departmental administrators and assigned staff; working cooperatively with and supporting coll eagues districtwide to ensure fiscal stability, solvency, and responsibility; assisting in achieving established district goals under the district's strategic plan; supporting labor management relat ions, collective bargaining, and negotiations; regularly interacting with federal and state re gulatory agencies, the Board of Directors, superintendent, executive cabinet, district and school administrators, other district staff, community leaders, families, and vendors.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
Incumbent may perform any combination of the es sential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.
E = ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
2 c. Interact with local and state government sta ff in preparation of local revenue budget, answer inquiries from the public and media concerning budget matters and advise program managers and principals in budget and financial related matters.
Lead the purchasing and procurement function. (E) a. Direct district purchasing and procurement activities, including competitive solicitations, contracts, purchasing processes, and vendor relationships. b. Ensure procurement activities comply with a pplicable district policies and state and federal requirements. c. Support departments and schools in effect ive, efficient, and responsible purchasing practices.
Lead assigned financial reporting requirements for the district. (E) a. Direct the preparation of all financial repo rts, both internal and external, including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). b. Direct the year-end close out and audit prep aration process and functions as the liaison for the outside audit, ensure compliance with stat e and federal financial reporting requirements including expenditures reporting, federal an d state grants, and ensure compliance with accounting standards and reporting requirements.
Lead the capital projects accounting function. (E) a. Direct the financial reporting of all capital project funds and projects and prepare the annual and multi-year budget for capital projects.
Lead the grant accounting function. (E) a. Direct the review and mana gement of all special revenue and general fund grants for compliance with state and federal law and procedures.
Lead the position control function. (E) a. Develop and direct effective position cont rol measures, including position and job code assignment in accordance with state requirements. b. Regularly meet with Human Resources administr ation concerning all issues relating to staff allocations, positions, assumptions, and the efficient use of resources underlying budget forecasts.
Lead the integration of the financial accounting and reporting requirements for the district. (E) a. Manage coordination with other departments to ensure proper integration with financial reporting/general ledger and budget functions.
Lead the banking, cash management, and investment function. (E)
Provide leadership, direction, and continuous quality improvement to the overall budget and finance operations. (E) a. Coordinate new programs and process improvements for the district. b. Direct department-wide leadership development. c. Coordinate the development and monitoring of annual departmental Operation Management Plans (OMPs). d. Coordinate the development and monitoring of department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 3
Lead the print shop function. (E) a. Direct district print shop operations, in cluding production, service delivery, equipment, supplies, and workflow. b. Ensure print services effectively support district and school operational needs while promoting efficient use of district resources.
Lead the payroll and benefits function. (E) a. Direct district payroll and benefits administr ation to ensure accurate and timely processing, reporting and reconciliation. b. Ensure compliance with applicable requir ements related to compensation, benefits, deductions, leave, retirement, and payroll reporting. c. Adherence to collective bargaining agreements. d. Coordinate with Human Resources and othe r departments to ensure accurate employee information and implementation of compensation and benefit changes. e. All other matters related to payroll that are not mentioned above.
Assist with new projects as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS*:
¾ Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field. ¾ Minimum of five (5) years progressively re sponsible experience in business services, governmental accounting, budget, finance, internal controls, and supervisory management experience. ¾ Thorough knowledge of effective and innovative school and district fiscal/facility/maintenance/risk management planning; systems and process design; effective application of knowledge and abil ity to enhance district operations; and demonstrated success as an organizational leader. 4 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
¾ Masters degree in related field. ¾ Certified School Business Specialist, Certifie d School Business Official, Certified School Business Administrator, Certified Public Accountant, or related professional certification. ¾ Proven successful experience in serving as an executive cabinet-level administrator in urban public education. ¾ Experience in collective bargaining and labor relations. ¾ Experience implementing the OSPI Accounting Manual. ¾ Proven successful experience in implementing and directing a variety of large-scale financial and facility related programs and/or operations in a large urban school district. ¾ Proven successful experience in an ethnically diverse public school district.
Employment eligibility may include fingerprints, health (TB), and/or other employment clearance.
Must have valid driver's license and automobile available for use. Must be willing to attend evening and weekend meetings.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES*:
Knowledge of:
¾ Principles, practices, trends, goals, and objectives of public education. ¾ Effective principles and practices of management and supervisory methods. ¾ Philosophical, educational, fiscal, and legal aspects affecting areas of responsibility. ¾ Local, state, and federal rules and regulations rega rding fiscal regulatory requirements, facilities and construction management, nutrition services , risk management, bidding processes, sale of construction bonds, and transportation regulatory requirements. ¾ Research/theory, best practices, and technica l aspects of field of specialty and areas of responsibility. ¾ Investigation techniques and procedures. ¾ Research methods and report writing techniques. ¾ Record-keeping techniques. ¾ Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and case law related to assigned activities. ¾ District organization, operations, policies, and procedures. ¾ Educational and business technology programs, pr ocedures and methods, computer equipment, and computer software necessary to perform required duties. ¾ Budget preparation and control. ¾ Oral and written communication skills, including English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, composition, and skills in mathematics.
5
Ability to:
¾ Plan, organize, and administer assigned areas of responsibility. ¾ Administer budgets and allocate funds. ¾ Operate technology hardware and sof tware necessary to perform assigned duties/responsibilities. ¾ Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. ¾ Write/present in a clear and concise manner for broad public appeal and interpretation. ¾ Gain cooperation through disc ussion and persuasion; promote consensus in groups of individuals with diverse interests and values. ¾ Facilitate and promote collaborative decision-making; facilitate conflict resolution. ¾ Coordinate and supervise the work of others. ¾ Analyze complex situations and synthesize di verse information carefully and adopt an effective course of action. ¾ Interpret, apply, and explain administrative and board policies, laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements that pertain to areas of responsibility. ¾ Plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet mu ltiple schedules and deadlines, and manage simultaneous tasks, with many interruptions. ¾ Work independently with minimum direction and supervision; work under pressure. ¾ Understand, analyze, and prepare comprehensive, narrative and statistical reports. ¾ Use effective customer service skills to esta blish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with district personnel, community members, and external companies and agencies in the course of performing assigned duties. ¾ Exhibit cultural competency and sensitivity with the ability to communicate effectively with all cultural groups in the organization. ¾ Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff. (*Allowable Substitutions: Any combination of education, experience, and training which provide the incumbent/applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work, as determined by the district. Qualifying work expe rience, as identified by Human Resources, may substitute for the education preferences.) WORKING CONDITIONS: Environment
¾ District office environment and school sites. ¾ Demanding timelines. ¾ Subject to driving to a variety of locations to conduct work during day and evening hours. ¾ Subject to frequent interruptions and extensive contact with students, staff, parents, and the public. ¾ Indoor and outdoor environment.
Physical demands:
¾ Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching, an d reaching to retrieve and maintain files and records. ¾ Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally. 6 ¾ Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate st andard office equipment, computer keyboard, and other equipment necessary to complete the required duties. ¾ Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone. ¾ Visual ability to read, and to prepare/process documents and to monitor various services and personnel. ¾ Sitting for extended periods. ¾ Standing for extended periods. ¾ Walking over rough or uneven surfaces. ¾ Climbing, occasional use of stepladders. ¾ Physical activity may be required, which could include moderate lifting.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function s of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Hazards:
¾ Extended viewing of computer monitor. ¾ Working around and with office equipment having moving parts.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabiliti es Act, the Kent School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified indivi duals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with Human Resources.