Position Overview
Valley Montessori School (VMS) is currently hiring a Director of Finance and Human Resources to lead and develop the organization’s finance, business planning, budgeting, human resources and office operations. This is a varied, exciting role that requires a strategic thinker and an exceptional leader. This position is an active and participative member of the leadership team and reports to the Head of School and supervised the Finance Manager and IT Manager.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Participates as a key organizational leader on the senior management Leadership Team, identifies and addresses organization-wide policies, strategies and programs that support VMS and advance the schools’ diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Works with the Head of School and Leadership Team to establish appropriate annual, midterm, and long-term financial objectives and plans that meet the needs of VMS.

• Develops various financial forecasts, modeling, and long-term planning activities. Updates these annually.

• Supports the Directors in annual planning and takes lead in preparing school-wide budgets.

• Hires and supervises administrative staff.

• Serves as liaison to the Finance Committee and provides financial and strategic support to the Board of Trustees.

• Leads and contributes to school-wide initiatives and teams.
   

Finance and Operations

• Maintains and oversees the day-to-day financial and accounting operations of the organization, ensures appropriate systems are in place to maintain effective internal controls for the organization.

• Maintains an internal reporting system and account structure that ensures proper disclosure and accountability for all financial activities.

• Oversees cash flow management - maintaining adequate cash balances to meet financial obligations.

• Oversees investment account for school reserve funds.

• Assures appropriate resources for program spending needs, and monitoring expenditures to ensure compliance with VMS fiscal policies and Board-approved budget.

• Ensures payroll reports and tax filings are prepared and filed on a timely basis.

• Oversees appropriate financial due diligence and risk management as necessary.

• Provides accurate and timely information to committee members and actively participates in meetings.

• Oversees the preparation for the annual audit and Form 990 tax return.

• Prepares the financial section of the annual report.

• Understands and supports reporting requirements for federal grants and contracts.
   

Human Resources

• Functions as Human Resource liaison for all staff, including knowledge and interpretation of employment law and best practices.

• Negotiates and administers benefits packages for all employees.

• Supports hiring processes (including working with external consultants) and prepares and updates job descriptions, categories, and salary bands.

• Manage onboarding of new employees & Provides exit interviews as needed.

• Administers and manages 403B annual reporting.

• Understanding of nonprofit business operations, cost allocation and contracts.

•  Administers and manages the payroll process.

• Annually reviews the Staff Handbook for accuracy and updates.
   

Skills to be Successful

• High degree of energy, integrity, confidentiality and creativity as the intellectual, organizational and personal qualities necessary to earn respect and cooperation from all stakeholders

• Deep dedication and passion to VMS/ mission and work

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion with a focus on diversity and inclusion related to persons of all racial, cultural, religious, gender and sexual orientation backgrounds

• Strategic thinker, who can propose long term strategies for improving organizational health

• Team player, with superb communication skills, both oral and written.

•  Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, strong organizational skills and significant attention to detail

• Creative, with the ability to think “outside the box”

• Approachable and a good listener.  Someone who sees and appreciates the good in people

• Leads authentically and serves as a role model for moral and fair behavior, with a transparent approach which earns esteem and confidence from employees

• Effective coaching skills and ability to mentor and support employee growth.  Nurtures employees toward achieving their highest levels of performance

• Cultural competence and deep commitment to organizational value of equity
   

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with 10+ years’ of experience, CPA or MBA preferred

• Experience working within the not for profit and school environment, previous independent school experience preferred.

• Prior experience serving as a liaison to a Board of Trustees and comfortable creating and presenting financial information at Board meetings as requested

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and commitment to the mission of VMS

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How to Apply

Email resume to careers@vmschool.org with “Finance/HR” in the subject line.

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