Senior Director of Finance

Job Description

Title: Senior Director of Finance

Division: Making Waves Academy

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Supervises: Controller, Accounts Payable/Payroll Specialist

Status: Full-time, Exempt, Year-round

Salary: $140,000-$160,000, $12,000 Temporary Cost of Living Allowance (TCOLA) & MWA Benefits

Summary

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Senior Director of Finance provides strategic financial direction and oversight for Making Waves Academy (MWA). In this senior leadership role, the Senior Director of Finance manages the business services unit and oversees all financial functions, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, budgeting, government funding, risk management, and compliance. This includes the supervision of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, insurance, purchasing, cash management, and audits.

The Senior Director of Finance also schedules and convenes meetings with and provides materials and analysis to the MWA Finance Advisory Committee and Making Waves Audit Committee, providing expert financial guidance and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. The Senior Director of Finance leads the development of annual and long-term financial plans, aligning with the MWA’s strategic objectives and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

The Senior Director of Finance provides supervision and leadership to their team, promoting professional growth and operational efficiency. The Senior Director of Finance builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the LCAP Advisory Group (LCAP AG), MWA leadership, faculty, staff, parents, and student groups (e.g. student clubs) facilitating effective financial accounting, communication, and collaboration.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Financial Management and Oversight

• Lead the financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting process to ensure alignment with the school’s objectives.
• Manage the preparation and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including profit and loss reports, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding financial management, accounting practices, and reporting for charter schools.
• Monitor and report on financial performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Collaborate with the COO and senior leadership to develop annual budgets, financial forecasts, and strategic financial plans.
• Advise on long-term financial goals, risks, and sustainability of the school’s financial health.
• Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for specific departments, grant-funded programs, and other financial projects.

Audit and Compliance

• Oversee the preparation and coordination of external audits and ensure all necessary documentation is provided.
• Ensure the school’s financial operations comply with applicable regulations, including those specific to charter schools in California.
• Lead the filing of necessary reports with state and local authorities, including tax filings, state funding reports, and other compliance documents.

Grant and Fund Management

• Monitor and manage public and philanthropic grants, funding sources, and restricted funds.
• Provide financial reports and updates to funders and stakeholders.
• Work with staff to ensure compliance with funding restrictions and grant reporting requirements.

Internal Controls and Financial Systems

• Develop and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard the school’s assets.
• Oversee the school’s financial software and systems, ensuring accurate and efficient financial operations.
• Work with the COO to continually improve financial processes and efficiencies within the school.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide direction and leadership to the finance team. Supervise, evaluate, hire, and release members of this team in collaboration with the Senior Director of People Operations. If/when working with contract/seasonal recruiters, set clear expectations, schedule regular updates, and provide feedback.
• Provide financial training and support to staff and leadership to increase understanding of financial matters.
• Collaborate with other departments, ensuring clear communication and efficient financial workflows.

Mission Alignment

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Making Waves Academy’s mission, core values, standards, competencies, and code of conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Participate in the school community – attending school competitions, performances, assemblies, and supporting student events, student clubs, and club advisors.

Work Environment

• This job operates in an indoor and outdoor school environment and routinely uses standard office/school equipment.
• Light/local travel may be required on occasion.

Physical Demands

• The employee may be required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods of time; lift and carry materials up to 30lbs.; reach overhead/bend; push/pull. Must possess the ability to use hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, etc.; must have the ability to view written materials, computer screens, and observe activities, ensuring students' safety; must hear and communicate clearly to interact with others. The employee should be able to move throughout the campus to effectively interact with students and staff.
• The employee will participate in campus supervision duty each week.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field and 5+ years experience in financial management, with at least 2 years in a leadership role (experience in an educational or non-profit environment desired).
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial management, and budgeting processes.
• Experience with public charter school finance, state funding mechanisms, and compliance regulations (especially in California).
• Experience managing large-scale and complex budgets ($25 million +) with a variety of revenue streams (government, philanthropic, private, etc).

Skills and Abilities

• Committed to our mission of providing quality education, and able to work collaboratively with school leadership and staff.
• Proficient with financial software with the ability to adapt to new technology as needed.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, focusing on identifying opportunities for optimization within the finance function to drive long-term success.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Highly goal-oriented and focused on outcomes.
• Professional orientation – appearance, communication, organization, and attitude.

Licenses or Certificates

• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints/Live Scan, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and other employment clearance.

Reasonable Accommodation
Consistent with its obligations under the law, MWA will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Is Our Policy

Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the School to afford equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their perceived or identified: race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, including but not limited to braids, locks, and twists); color; gender, (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity, whether or not the employee is transitioning or has transitioned); sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to such); religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices); marital/registered domestic partner status; age (forty (40) and over); national origin or ancestry (including native language spoken and possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their presence in the U.S. is authorized by federal law); physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS); medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics); taking of a leave of absence pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Pregnancy Disability Leave (“PDL”) law, Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”), the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), or laws related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking laws; genetic information; sexual orientation; military and veteran status; or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees. For a full copy of our non-discrimination policy, visit: