Director of Business and Finance in Milton

The Director of Business and Finance reports directly to the Superintendent of Schools and is a key member of the district’s leadership team. This role is responsible for the effective implementation, supervision, and strategic direction of all financial and business operations, non-instructional support functions, and long-range facilities planning.

Responsibilities

• Fiscal Leadership & Strategic Planning
  • Budget Development: Plans, executes, and monitors the annual operating and capital budgets; assists the Superintendent in providing and presenting information to the School Committee and Town boards.
  • Requests & Formatting: Provides general supervision for budget development by collecting, collating, and formatting all requests from principals, directors, and department heads.
  • Financial Controls: Organizes and maintains effective budgetary control procedures, guaranteeing a balance in all categories between allotments and actual expenditures.
  • Long-Range Projections: Prepares multi-year financial projections addressing strategic efforts, including enrollment changes, system-wide goals, and facilities.
  • Trend Analysis: Continually analyses cost patterns and trends; reports regularly to the School Committee on the status of all budgetary accounts.
  • Fiscal Systems: Institutes and maintains effective management procedures and accounting systems to ensure sound fiscal control and proper recording of receipts/expenditures per Commonwealth statutes.
  • Grant Management: Maintains financial controls for all revenue, including grants (Special Education and general), capital, and revolving accounts; investigates and processes applications for educational/construction grants from federal, state, and private sources.
  • Special Education Finance: Works closely with the Director of Student Services on the special education budget, including grants, expenditures, and out-of-district tuitions.
• Reporting, Audits & Legal Compliance
  • Statutory Reporting: Collects, collates, and submits mandated state and federal reports, including the “October School System Summary Report” and the “End-of-the-Year Report.”
  • Audit Oversight: Provides information during annual financial audits and performs all recommended corrections.
  • Legal Application: Understands, communicates, and applies statutes from the State Department of Education, the Commonwealth, or the Town of Milton through cooperation with Town Hall.
  • Communication: Prepares statistical and narrative reports, including financial statements, for the Superintendent, School Committee, and stakeholders.
  • Policy Development: Participates in system-wide policy development and supports the Superintendent with special projects and committees.
• Procurement & Contract Management
  • Chief Procurement Officer: Serves as the School Committee’s Chief Procurement Officer; develops and administers compliant procurement systems for supplies, services, and equipment.
  • Bidding & Awards: In conjunction with the Town CPO, prepares all necessary bid documents, specifications, and legal notices; conducts bid openings and recommends awards based on adherence to requirements.
  • Warrant Oversight: Oversees the School Committee’s approval of payroll and accounts payable batches/warrants.
  • Vendor & Supply Management: Manages contracts with all outside vendors; purchases items necessary for operations and maintains a current, efficient inventory system.
• Operations & Staff Supervision
  • Personnel Management and Business Office Leadership: Supervises and manages Business Office staff, Community School Director, Food Service Director, and oversees Custodial staff by working closely with the Director of Consolidated Facilities; ensures appropriate training for staff.
  • Hiring Process: Advertises vacancies, reviews applications, and recommends qualified candidates to principals and the Superintendent.
  • Training Initiatives: In conjunction with Directors, plans and oversees pre-service and in-service activities for custodial and food service staff.
  • Labor Relations: Serves as a key member of contractual negotiating teams, providing financial data and forecasting for fiscal proposals.
  • Departmental Oversight: Provides program oversight to the Director of Consolidated Facilities (facilities/maintenance of all physical plant facilities) and the Director of Food Services (compliance with federal/state/local laws).
• Transportation Systems
  • System Design: Assumes responsibility for a workable transportation system for the daily instructional program and extracurricular activities.
  • Contractual Prep: Prepares specifications for all contracts pertaining to transportation.
  • Route Logistics: Defines and directs the development of bus routes and assignments for all eligible students.
  • Special Needs Access: In conjunction with the Director of Student Services; monitors the budget for special education transportation by meeting with the Director of Student Services and the Superintendent on a regular basis.
  • Safety & Liaison: Recommends transportation rules and regulations; acts as direct liaison with parents/citizens on complaints; arranges safety standard meetings for drivers.
  • Insurance: Completes all reports for insurance and other purposes pertaining to school transportation.
• Building Programs & Capital Projects
  • Construction Management: Works in conjunction with building committees, architects, and contractors to expedite the construction, equipping, and completion of structures.
  • MSBA & Financial Certification: Assists the Town Accountant in filing notices, votes, contracts, invoices, and financial certification papers required for state reimbursement (MSBA).
  • Capital Coordination: Coordinates all capital expenditure projects and facilities for summer school and adult education.
• Pupil Accounting & District Administration
  • Census & Projections: Develops and supervises the annual School Census; provides student population projections.
  • Emergency Decision Making: In the absence of the Superintendent, makes decisions on emergency school closings and contacts appropriate agencies regarding storms or emergencies.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Technical Expertise: Knowledge of public educational institutional demands, personnel administration, and state/federal laws pertaining to schools and finance.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills; ability to explain complex information clearly to stakeholders including Milton School Committee, Select Board members, Finance Committees, and the public.
• Character: Demonstrated high standards of ethics, honesty, integrity, and superior communication skills. Must be certified or certifiable as a School Business Administrator by the MA DESE. At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience preferred. Master degree preferred. Citizenship, residency or work visa required.