Business Manager/CFO

Business Manager/CFO

About the Employer

Founded in 1976, Santa Barbara Middle School is a co-educational school that offers students in grades 6-9 a profound educational experience combining Academics, Creative Arts & Sports, Outdoor Education, and Community Involvement. Serving approximately 182 students, our educational environment facilitates academic achievement, while also bolstering all aspects of a child's well being. We challenge students to develop life skills in all areas, with the stability of a safe and nurturing community. Leadership, self-advocacy, creative problem solving, compassion for others, and global awareness are just a few of the traits that distinguish our graduates. Working at Santa Barbara Middle School is a challenging yet rewarding career. After-hours and weekend events and participation in the school's Outdoor Education program are integral and required aspects of this job

Job Summary

Santa Barbara Middle School (SBMS) is currently seeking candidates for the position of Business Manager/CFO S/he will work in close partnership with the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Facilities Manager and the Business Office Associate.

Founded in 1976, SBMS (sbms) is a co-educational day school that offers students in grades 6-9 a profound educational experience combining Academics, Creative Arts & Sports, Outdoor Education, and Community Involvement. Serving approximately 180 students, our educational environment facilitates academic achievement, while also bolstering all aspects of a child's well-being. We challenge students to develop life skills in all areas, with the stability of a safe and nurturing community. Our Outdoor Trip Program takes us out of the classroom for 26 days/year. Leadership, self-advocacy, creative problem solving, compassion for others, and global awareness are just a few of the traits that distinguish our graduates.

Working at SBMS is fun, challenging and rewarding. Our amazing mission and community of faculty, staff, students and families serve to create a strong retention rate amongst our employees. This position is year-round, with greater flexibility and a somewhat lighter schedule in the summer. There are occasionally required after-hours and weekend events throughout the school year. The expectation is to be on campus during school hours and participate in the school's Elective and Outdoor Education Program to the greatest extent possible.

Job Description / Essential Elements:

Job Responsibilities

Finance & Accounting:

Work with the Business Office associate on monthly, quarterly and annual financial close

Review and Approve:

Accounts Payable and Employee Reimbursements

Department Budget Spending

Monitor Accounts Receivable and follow up on delinquent accounts

Participate and complete industry surveys - DASL, NAIS, NBOA, & CAIS

Develop monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, Budget to Actual analysis, pertinent Dashboards, monthly Cash Flow projection , Department Budget updates

Report to the Finance Committee and the Board monthly

Working with Head of School, create annual budget and budget summary

Annual Audit oversight, including negotiating contract for auditor services, preparing materials for auditors, reviewing audit results with BOD Audit Committee for their approval

Review Annual Tax Return with Finance Committee and file

Oversee financial aid process, coordinating with internal team to determine awards that align with annual school budget, then working with families as needed

Work with the Board Investment Committee, create cash flow projections to invest school funds

Create RFPs for services such as auditors, investment advisors, other services of the school

Create Board Committee agendas and materials for Finance, Audit, Risk and Site Committees

Legal / Risk:

Attend Risk Committee meetings, reporting on current issues, including legal, safety, insurance, etc. as well as presenting insurance policies for renewal and approval

Coordination with attorneys (LCW) when necessary, reviewing legal issues, investigations and documentation

Monitor for school's compliance with legal guidelines and policies

Administer contracts & legal documents

Document retention/organization - paper and electronic in compliance with the document retention policy

Risk analysis, insurance procurement, processing insurance claims, work with insurance brokers to assess ongoing risk issues that occur

Human Resources:

Working with the school leadership team, participate in the annual performance review process, including staff outreach survey of intent to return, self-assessment form and performance reviews for select staff that report to this position

Oversee process of recruitment, hiring of new positions

Oversee annual staff training

Participate with leadership team and oversee process for terminations and disciplinary actions Update Employee Handbook, as needed

Provide space for employees/staff to check in, air grievances, as needed, working to develop good relationships with all staff

Oversee school retirement plan, work with 3rd party administrator to file 5500 return annually Monitor staffing for electives, diamond time and lunch periods to ensure adequate staffing and compliance with employee contracts

With Head of School, create and distribute annual employment letters to staff, stating compensation and any other details of employment that may be changing in the new academic year.

Oversee workers' compensation claims, as needed

Facilities:

Working with Facilities and Fleet Manager, oversee all site, facilities and fleet work. Review and track contracts and budgets for large improvement projects and ongoing department budget spending

Work with the Health and Safety Director to develop current and updated policies and procedures to ensure staff and student safety

General:

Office Administration Team Leader, analyzing functionality and implementing improvements in policy and procedure, as needed

N.I.C.E. (Not In Classroom Educators, i.e. non faculty staff), team leader, organizing regular meetings for team and morale building, as well as to improve efficiency through better connectivity.

Systems analysis: Analyze cost and efficiency and implement new systems/software

Electives and Trip Program participation/Student Connection: Sharing your passion, teach or assist in an elective and whenever possible, in the SBMS expeditions, find ways to connect with the student and staff population

Skills and Requirements

Education/Experience:

B.S. or Master's Degree in one or more of the following: Business, Accounting, Human Resources, Nonprofit or School Management

5-10 years' experience in Independent School or other Nonprofit management

Workplace Skills:

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Excel, Google Suite, Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Expensify, Bill

Understanding of independent school industry

Excellent knowledge of all areas: California Labor Laws, policies, benefits, compensation, onboarding, offboarding, retention, wellness, reviews

Ability to communicate and present complicated financial information to non-finance' audience

Personality:

Positive attitude

Overcomes obstacles, problem solver

Accepts correction, learns from mistakes

Gets along with a wide variety of personalities

Trusts, assumes the best in others

Tactful, service oriented and compassionate with all constituencies

Leadership & Management Style:

Can align with and accept both old guard and newer staff thinking

Ability to unify constituents, build teams, create efficiencies, etc.

Ability to plan, lead productive meetings

Mentors, coaches others to be their best

Delegates when appropriate

Leads by example

Strategizes for future: structures process, stays on schedule

Workstyle:

Can triage, pivot, adapt, as needed, in busy work environment

Aligns with strategic goals/planning

Self-starter/independent/works with very little oversight

Can meet deadline driven, complex and sometimes conflicting priorities

Analytical - always looking for ways to improve things

Inclusive/good communicator/efficient with others' time and their own

Other Requirements:

Everyone at SBMS is expected to participate, at some level, in the Outdoor Program of SBMS, which may include riding a bike, hiking, and swimming.

Must be able to sit at a desk and work at a computer for hours at a time

Must be able to pass background check with no criminal record

Requirements / Qualifications

Cover Letter, Resume, References upon request

Comments and Other Information

Apply at: Attn: Maida Smith at jobssbms

The EDJOIN online application is not being used with this posting. Please review the posting for instructions on how to apply or contact the Employer by emailing/calling the contact person listed with the posting information above.