Managing Director of Finance

About the position

The Managing Director of Finance plays a critical role in the development of KIPP New Jersey & Miami’s financial vision and strategy, and leads and manages a team responsible for several functions that execute against that vision and strategy: financial planning and analysis, cash forecasting, public grants management, and real estate finance. Reporting to the CFO, the MDoF serves as a strategic partner to organizational leaders, provides strong and accurate financial guidance to support decision-making, manages the organization’s ~$250 million annual operating budget, and is a key contributor to the organization’s debt and capital planning. The Managing Director of Finance also works in close partnership with the Controller to ensure financial systems and processes are efficient, compliant, and aligned with organizational objectives. This is an ideal opportunity for a proven financial leader accustomed to managing a complex portfolio to apply their expertise towards KIPP New Jersey & Miami’s mission of providing an excellent education for our students. A strong candidate will be passionate about improving K-12 education, an influential team leader, and skilled at building effective relationships across diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CFO to develop and refine the organization's financial strategy and lead long-term financial forecasting and budgeting for KIPP New Jersey & Miami’s ~$250 million annual operating budget across 4 operating entities and 5 special purpose entities.
• Lead annual budgeting and planning process that reflects financial strategy and aligns with organizational priorities and goals.
• Recognize and anticipate opportunities and challenges as they relate to financial systems and operations; generate ideas, strategies, and solutions to drive impact.
• Inform setting and lead execution of debt management strategy across a large, multi-faceted structure of financing instruments.
• Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process; review and administer all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; keep CFO and other senior leaders apprised of the organization’s financial status.
• Partner with Controller to drive cash forecasting; drive strategy for managing and utilizing cash reserves; otherwise support treasury function.
• Partner with the Real Estate and Facilities Team to plan for capital needs across the organization and structure financing for real estate acquisition and development as needed.
• Set strategy and oversee the planning and compliance work of federal grants compliance function, currently managing tens of millions of dollars across multiple distinct federal and state grants.
• Prepare and present critical financial analyses to the senior leadership team and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees to support informed decision-making.
• Liaise with the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, external auditors, lenders, and other external stakeholders as needed.
• Manage team responsible for finance-related strategic planning, annual planning and forecasting, grants management, lender relationships, and securing, structuring and managing borrowing activities.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with leaders throughout the organization to identify and support their needs and ensure collaboration and coordination.
• Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the CFO, as well as to the leadership team, the Finance Committee, the Boards of Trustees, and key external stakeholders (e.g. donors, lenders, ratings agencies, authorizers), as needed.
• Manage and develop approximately 4 direct reports, ensuring a collaborative team environment in which all teammates are coached, developed, and well-positioned to achieve their goals.
• Ensure strong, seamless collaboration with other financial teams reporting to the CFO, with functions including: accounting, treasury, insurance, purchasing, and accounts payable.
• Serve as an organizational ambassador internally and externally; model KIPP New Jersey & Miami’s values as outlined in our Heartbeat.
• Embrace KIPP New Jersey & Miami’s commitment to race, equity, and inclusion (REI).

Requirements

• BA or BS required; MBA, CPA, MS in Accounting or Finance preferred, but not required.
• Minimum 10 years relevant experience required; 5+ years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience successfully developing, presenting, implementing, and managing large and complex budgets, preferably in excess of $200 million.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Ability to assess and enhance financial processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, lead projects, meet multiple concurrent deadlines and organize time and priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; track record of contributing to a collegial working environment.
• Experience leading effective teams; evidence of building an outcomes/data-driven team culture and coaching and developing others to maximize their potential.
• Personal qualities of honesty, integrity, credibility, humility, commitment to quality, and dedication to the mission of KIPP New Jersey & Miami.
• Robust knowledge of and passion for improving K - 12 public education.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of Intacct and/or Edstruments, federal grant funding regulations, structured finance or tax-credit finance a plus (but not required).

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care and retirement.
• School laptop.
• Transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area.