Summary: The Assistant Director of Finance provides high-level administrative leadership in planning, organizing, and supervising a comprehensive business office. This role primarily oversees shared business services provided by the ISD to local school districts. The administrator ensures all operations comply with ISD and local policies, industry accounting standards, and local, state, and federal statutes. In the absence of the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director assumes all departmental leadership duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial ManagementReporting

• Accounting Systems: Maintain financial systems and manage the conversion of new customers to the common accounting platform.
• AuditControls: Oversee annual financial audits for all participating districts; establish and implement rigorous accounting processes and internal control procedures.
• Budgeting: Develop budgets, track performance against projections, and provide year-to-date reports to local Superintendents and School Boards.
• Reporting: Manage all internal financial reporting (Boards, Superintendents, Department Heads) and external reporting to governmental entities.
• Cash Management: Monitor cash flow and recommend appropriate courses of action regarding spending patterns, investment alternatives, and loan requirements. Prepare and analyze financial information for administrative level decision-making.

LeadershipStrategy

• Decision Support: Prepare and analyze financial data for administrative decision-making, including special studies on the impact of alternative actions.
• Labor Relations: Provide financial analysis and support to Superintendents regarding labor negotiations, benefits, and insurance alternatives.
• Process Improvement: Identify and implement "best practices" and common procedures across all districts; integrate new technology to increase efficiency and streamline controls.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for local Superintendents for finance-related issue resolution.

Staff SupervisionDevelopment

• Team Oversight: Supervise business office employees responsible for all aspects of finance and accounting work for each local district serviced including: receipt of revenues; payment of bills; accounting for all expenditures; encumbrances, and transfer of funds; review of bank reconciliations, payroll and all related reporting.

• Talent Management: Recruit, select, train, and motivate staff to ensure team efficiency.
• Mentoring: Coach new staff and LEA Business Managers on financial software, budgeting, and general position requirements.
• Professional Leadership: Provide statewide mentoring on best practices for shared business services.

Performs additional finance and business administrative functions as directed by the Director of Finance, local Superintendents, or as operational circumstances require.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory duties in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws. This includes direct or indirect supervision of all staff providing services to external organizations, as well as serving as a technical resource for ISD-specific financial staff.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (Master's degree or CPA preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in school finance or governmental accounting.
• Leadership: Proven track record of supervising diverse teams and managing multi-entity financial operations.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of school-specific financial software (e.g., Munis, PowerSchool, or similar ERPs) and expert-level Excel skills.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Michigan Public School Accounting Manual (or relevant state equivalents) and GASB standards.
• Analytical Ability: Strong capacity to interpret complex financial data and translate it into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders (Superintendents and Boards).
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to resolve conflicts and build consensus among different school districts.
• Project Management: Experience in system conversions, technology implementations, or process standardizations across multiple organizations.

Interpersonal Competencies

• Adaptability: Ability to manage the unique cultures and needs of various local school districts simultaneously.
• Mentorship: A passion for staff development and the ability to coach LEA Business Managers through complex fiscal cycles.
• Discretion: High level of integrity and the ability to handle confidential labor negotiations and personnel data.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid Michigan driver's license and good driving record required. Selected candidate should hold or be expected to attain MSBO Chief Financial Officer certification and any other state-required training or certification.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must demonstrate effective leadership and supervisory skills. Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of current trends in business management and public finance; must have knowledge and successful experience in sound business operations and organizational development. Must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills; must establish and maintain effective working relationships. Must be able to plan, organize and effectively present ideas and concepts to, and respond to questions from groups, including Boards of Education, administrators, staff, parents and the general public. Must be able to exercise reasoned judgment on sensitive and confidential issues. Must be proficient in the use of current computer technologies, including Microsoft Office software, including spreadsheet, word processing, power point and database applications, and able to learn and use new technology, software and/or programs to implement job responsibilities. Must be organized and dependable; must work well within given time and cost constraints. Must carry out all responsibilities with awareness of all district requirements and standards established by the Board of Education. Able to use good judgment and common sense.

Employment Date, Salary, and Fringe Benefits: Anticipated employment date is as soon as possible. This is a 52-week position. Placement on the Administration Salary Schedule depends upon qualifications and experience. The anticipated new employee starting salary range is $107,567-128,015. Paid health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurances, sick and vacation days.

To Apply: Interested parties should go to our website, https://jcisd.workbrightats.com to complete an online application.

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL MARCH 27, 2026