Anticipated Vacancy
Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations
1.0 FTE Probationary Position
Reports To: Superintendent of Schools
Classification: Cabinet-Level Administrator
Work Year: 12 Months
Compensation: $150,000-$180,000/yr (min), commensurate with experience outlined below
District Administrators (DLST) Benefits Booklet
POSITION SUMMARY
The Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations serves as the District’s chief financial and operational officer and a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet. The position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for the District’s financial management and major non-instructional operational functions.
The Assistant Superintendent is responsible for ensuring the long-term fiscal health of the District; developing and implementing sound financial strategies; maintaining effective internal controls and regulatory compliance; overseeing major operational systems; and ensuring that District resources, facilities, and services effectively support the educational mission of the Shenendehowa Central School District.
As a member of the executive leadership team, the Assistant Superintendent serves as a principal advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education on financial, operational, capital, and resource-allocation matters and works collaboratively with District leadership to translate organizational priorities into sustainable financial and operational plans.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Leadership and Districtwide Strategy
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Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and participates in the development and implementation of Districtwide goals, priorities, policies, and strategic initiatives.
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Serves as the Superintendent’s principal advisor regarding the District’s financial condition, fiscal strategy, capital needs, and assigned operational functions.
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Provides the Board of Education and executive leadership with financial and operational analysis, projections, recommendations, and information necessary for informed decision-making.
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Ensures financial and operational resources are strategically aligned with the District’s instructional mission, organizational priorities, enrollment, staffing needs, and long-range plans.
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Evaluates the financial and operational implications of significant District initiatives and recommends sustainable approaches to implementation.
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Provides leadership in identifying opportunities for organizational efficiency, cost containment, improved service delivery, and responsible use of District resources.
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Represents the District with governmental agencies, financial institutions, auditors, legal counsel, financial advisors, architects, engineers, contractors, vendors, community organizations, and other external partners.
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Provides executive leadership during significant operational issues, emergencies, and other matters requiring coordinated Districtwide response.
Budget Development and Long-Range Financial Planning
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Provides executive leadership for the development, administration, monitoring, and evaluation of the District’s annual operating budget.
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Develops and maintains multi-year financial projections to evaluate revenues, expenditures, state aid, staffing costs, contractual obligations, reserves, fund balance, debt service, capital needs, and other factors affecting the District’s long-term financial position.
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Develops budget assumptions and recommendations for consideration by the Superintendent and Board of Education.
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Coordinates the development of departmental and program budgets and establishes expectations for responsible budget management throughout the District.
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Monitors revenues and expenditures throughout the fiscal year and recommends corrective action when necessary.
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Develops strategies to maintain the District’s long-term financial stability while supporting educational programs and services.
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Monitors federal and New York State legislative, regulatory, economic, and state-aid developments and assesses their potential financial and operational impact on the District.
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Oversees preparation of budget presentations, financial reports, public budget materials, and information presented during Board meetings, budget workshops, public hearings, and the annual budget process.
Financial Management, Accounting and Internal Controls
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Provides executive oversight of the District’s accounting, financial reporting, and fiscal management systems.
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Ensures compliance with applicable federal and New York State laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting principles, Board policies, and District procedures.
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Oversees systems associated with accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, investments, revenue accounting, payroll-related financial operations, grants, debt service, and other fiscal functions.
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Ensures appropriate internal controls, separation of duties, financial procedures, and safeguards are maintained throughout District financial operations.
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Oversees preparation and submission of required state and federal financial reports, claims, filings, and reimbursement requests.
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Coordinates the annual external audit process and works collaboratively with internal and external auditors to address findings and continuously strengthen District controls and procedures.
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Provides executive oversight of the District’s cash-flow management and investment practices.
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Works with the District Treasurer, financial advisors, bond counsel, and other professionals regarding borrowing, debt issuance, debt management, and other financial matters.
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Develops recommendations regarding reserves, fund balance, and other long-term fiscal strategies.
Purchasing, Procurement and Contract Administration
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Provides executive oversight of District purchasing and procurement operations.
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Ensures compliance with New York State General Municipal Law, competitive bidding requirements, Board policy, and District purchasing procedures.
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Oversees systems for competitive bids, requests for proposals, cooperative purchasing, professional services, vendor relationships, and contract administration.
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Promotes procurement practices that achieve appropriate quality, value, service, transparency, competition, and regulatory compliance.
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Reviews and provides financial and operational analysis of significant contracts, purchases, and vendor arrangements.
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Establishes effective systems for contract monitoring, purchasing controls, and accountability.
Capital Planning, Facilities and Infrastructure
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Provides executive leadership for the District’s long-range facilities and capital planning.
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Develops financial and operational strategies to address the District’s short- and long-term facility and infrastructure needs.
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Provides executive oversight of capital improvement projects, construction, renovations, major repairs, infrastructure improvements, and significant equipment replacement.
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Coordinates with architects, engineers, construction managers, legal counsel, financial advisors, contractors, NYSED, and other professionals involved in capital planning and construction.
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Oversees capital project budgets, financing, financial reporting, timelines, and related regulatory requirements.
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Ensures that capital and facilities planning considers enrollment, educational programming, safety, accessibility, sustainability, operational efficiency, asset preservation, and long-term District needs.
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Provides executive oversight of facilities maintenance and operations and works with departmental leadership to ensure District buildings and grounds are maintained safely, effectively, and efficiently.
Transportation and Operational Services
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Provides executive oversight and strategic direction for District transportation operations.
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Works with Transportation leadership to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and fiscally responsible transportation services.
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Evaluates transportation costs, staffing, fleet needs, routing, contracts, service levels, and other operational factors to identify opportunities for efficiency and improvement.
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Provides executive oversight of the District’s food service program and other assigned non-instructional operational functions.
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Establishes expectations and performance measures for assigned operational departments and works with department leaders to address challenges, improve service delivery, and ensure accountability.
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Promotes coordination among operational departments to support efficient Districtwide operations.
Risk Management and Insurance
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Provides executive oversight of the District’s risk-management and insurance programs.
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Identifies significant financial and operational risks and recommends strategies to appropriately mitigate exposure.
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Coordinates with insurance carriers, brokers, legal counsel, consultants, administrators, and other professionals regarding coverage, claims, liability, property protection, and related matters.
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Evaluates insurance programs and risk-management strategies to ensure appropriate protection of District assets and resources.
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Participates in District emergency preparedness, business continuity, and organizational risk-management planning within areas of responsibility.
Labor Relations, Staffing and Personnel Cost Analysis
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Provides financial analysis and costing associated with collective bargaining, compensation, staffing proposals, employee benefits, and other personnel-related decisions.
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Participates in collective bargaining and labor-management matters as assigned by the Superintendent.
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Develops financial projections regarding proposed contractual changes and their short- and long-term impact on the District.
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Collaborates closely with Human Resources regarding staffing, payroll, employee benefits, workers’ compensation, contractual obligations, and other matters having financial or operational implications.
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Provides financial modeling and analysis to support workforce planning and organizational decision-making.
Organizational Leadership and Staff Development
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Provides leadership, direction, supervision, and evaluation to administrators and employees within assigned areas of responsibility.
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Establishes clear expectations for accountability, customer service, collaboration, responsiveness, fiscal stewardship, and continuous improvement.
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Develops the leadership capacity of administrators and managers responsible for the day-to-day operation of assigned departments.
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Establishes effective organizational structures, procedures, and workflows to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.
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Promotes collaboration across Finance and Operations departments and with Human Resources, instructional leadership, technology, communications, and other District functions.
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Ensures appropriate succession planning, cross-training, documentation, and continuity of critical financial and operational functions.
Board of Education and Community Relations
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Attends meetings of the Board of Education and executive sessions as required by the Superintendent.
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Prepares and presents financial, budgetary, capital, and operational information and recommendations to the Board of Education.
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Communicates complex financial and operational information in a clear and understandable manner.
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Supports transparency and public understanding of the District’s budget, financial condition, capital needs, and use of public resources.
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Participates in community presentations, public hearings, committee meetings, and other forums as appropriate.
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Responds to inquiries regarding financial and operational matters and ensures timely and accurate communication with stakeholders.
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Serves as District Clerk
Continuous Improvement and Operational Effectiveness
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Regularly evaluates financial and operational systems to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, effectiveness, automation, service quality, and cost containment.
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Uses data, benchmarking, trend analysis, performance measures, and financial modeling to evaluate District operations and inform recommendations.
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Promotes the effective use of technology to strengthen internal controls, streamline processes, improve reporting, and enhance service delivery.
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Leads major financial and operational improvement initiatives and other special projects as assigned by the Superintendent.
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Maintains current knowledge of emerging issues, best practices, legislative developments, and regulatory requirements affecting New York State school district finance and operations.
AREAS OF EXECUTIVE OVERSIGHT
The Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations provides executive leadership and oversight for assigned District functions, which may include:
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Budget and Financial Planning
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Accounting and Financial Reporting
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Purchasing and Procurement
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Cash Management and Investments
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Debt Management and Financing
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State Aid and Financial Reporting
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Grants and Restricted Funds
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Facilities and Buildings & Grounds
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Capital Planning and Construction
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Transportation
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Food Services
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Risk Management and Insurance
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Contract Administration
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Other operational functions assigned by the Superintendent
The Assistant Superintendent works collaboratively with Human Resources on matters involving payroll, employee benefits, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, compensation, and staffing where there are shared financial, operational, or compliance responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
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New York State certification as a School District Business Leader (SDBL), School Business Administrator (SBA), or other appropriate New York State administrative certification.
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Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, educational administration, or a related field.
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Significant successful administrative experience involving school district finance, business administration, or comparable public-sector financial and operational leadership.
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Demonstrated knowledge and experience in budget development, financial forecasting, accounting, auditing, purchasing, internal controls, and long-range financial planning.
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Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
Preferred
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Certified Public Accountant license
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Senior-level financial and operational leadership experience in a large and complex New York State public school district.
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Experience with capital planning, construction, facilities, transportation, procurement, risk management, and other school district operational functions.
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Experience advising a Superintendent and Board of Education on significant financial and operational matters.
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Experience with collective bargaining costing, financial modeling, and long-range workforce planning.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
The successful Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations will demonstrate:
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Comprehensive knowledge of New York State public school finance, budgeting, accounting, state aid, purchasing, and applicable laws and regulations.
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Exceptional financial analysis, forecasting, and problem-solving skills.
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Strategic and systems-level thinking.
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Ability to translate complex financial information into clear recommendations for decision-makers and the public.
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Ability to connect financial and operational strategy to the District’s educational mission and organizational priorities.
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Sound judgment and the ability to manage complex and sensitive matters.
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Strong organizational and project-management skills.
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Ability to simultaneously oversee multiple complex financial and operational functions.
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Demonstrated ability to lead through change and implement organizational and operational improvements.
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High standards of integrity, confidentiality, accountability, transparency, and stewardship of public resources.
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Strong interpersonal, collaboration, communication, and presentation skills.
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Ability to build productive relationships with the Board of Education, administrators, employees, bargaining units, community members, governmental agencies, professional advisors, and external partners.
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Commitment to continuous improvement, service, efficiency, and responsible use of District resources.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides direct and/or executive supervision of administrators, managers, professional staff, and support personnel within assigned Finance and Operations departments. The Assistant Superintendent is responsible for establishing expectations, evaluating leadership and departmental performance, developing staff capacity, and ensuring effective coordination among assigned operational functions.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Performs other related duties and assumes additional responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools or Board of Education and as necessary for the effective administration and operation of the District.