Job Description

License and Certification Qualifications:

• Must hold or be eligible for a Georgia Educator's Certificate in Educational Leadership and/or Support Personnel License issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Required

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field Required
• Master's Degree in related field Preferred

Experience Qualifications:

• 7 years of successful managerial experience in positions of progressive responsibility Required
• Experience with annual budget preparation, financial strategy and long-term planning, audit, and/or risk mitigation Required
• Public sector financial management experience in a PeopleSoft environment Preferred

Skills Qualifications:

• Ability to make executive decisions to ensure timely and accurate budgets and financial decisions
• Ability to understand the department's role in the overall school system program
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, ability to effectively work with employees, the public, school administration, the business community, and regulatory agencies
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Exceptional ability to communicate and work with others in an effective manner
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, school system employees, public groups, and the Board of Education

Primary Responsibilities:

Provide leadership and oversight of the Gwinnett County Public Schools annual budget, direct the district's long-term financial strategy, direct the comprehensive internal audit program, and oversee the assessment and management of risk.

• Direct the annual development of the school district budget.
• Direct and control the development of the school district budget, control budget overages at all levels, and ensure compliance with state of Georgia reporting requirements with regard to the budget.
• Evaluate and refine the annual budget process, re-engineering the process deemed necessary and prepare the budget calendar.
• Provide leadership in compiling statistical and financial data in order to examine budgets, and to justify funds requested.
• Examine all budget estimates for completeness and conformance with procedures, regulations and prevailing policies, quality control, impact on and/or duplication with other departments, and inclusion district priorities; analyze the need for budget amendments and carry forward requests and prepare the appropriate agenda items.
• Interact with county government staff in preparation of local revenue budget, answer inquiries from stakeholders concerning budget matters, and advise program managers and principals in budget and financial related matters.
• Serve as the division liaison with the Human Resources Division concerning all issues relating to staff allotments, positions, and the efficient use of resources and assumptions underlying budget forecasts.
• Provide leadership over the implementation and monitoring of proper budgetary controls.
• Provide leadership in the maintenance of proper budgetary controls; prepare special financial and budget reports; and participate in a wide variety of related complex special assignments and projects.
• Develop and direct effective position control measures, including position and job code assignment in accordance with state requirements.
• Provide leadership over the district's comprehensive internal audit program including audits, examinations and investigations of financial records, operations, and offices of the school district and local schools.
• Provide direction and leadership over the risk management function for the district.
• Ensure proper administration of insurance and self-funded programs dealing with, but not limited to, Property and Casualty, Student Accident Insurance, and Workers' Compensation loss claims.
• Engage and oversee required consultant/broker services to properly analyze and place the school district's insurance coverages.
• Engage and oversee required legal representation for claims settlements.
• Ensure the proper disposition of all loss claims through oversight of internal and external staff and vendors.
• Direct the district's long-term investment and financial strategy, in alignment with the district's strategic direction.
• Conduct complex revenue and expenditure forecasts; coordinate and conduct sensitive and complex budgetary policy, financial, statistical, and programmatic research; analyze spreadsheets and financial data for the purpose of making a financial recommendation leading to the efficient use of funds and to facilitate short- and long-range planning.
• Support the Investment Plan development process; and/or assist with the quarterly budget-to-actuals projection report.
• Conduct in-depth administrative and operational studies; develop and perform statistical and research studies.
• Ensure risk management priorities are reflected in the district's or the division's strategic plans.
• Oversee and provide leadership for the district wide assessment and mitigation of risk.
• Develop budgets for risk related projects and supervise their funding.
• Identify and communicate risks and opportunities to the Chief Financial Officer as well as other division leaders.
• Conduct risk assurance and due diligence on behalf of the district in the events of investments, financing structure, strategies, and policy.
• Provide leadership and development of risk analysis reports and progress reports to different stakeholders, including employees and leadership.
• Lead the development of the annual operational risk assessment process.
• Measure the organization's risk appetite and setting the amount of risk that the organization is able � and willing � to take on.
• Formulate and implement risk assurance strategies that are related to the transmission, storage, and use of information and data systems as it relates to financial data.
• Develop risk maps and formulating strategic action plans to help minimize, manage, and mitigate primary risks and then monitor the progress of these efforts.
• Evaluate possible operational risks that may arise from human error or system failures, which might disrupt or affect business processes. Develop different strategies to minimize risk exposure and designate appropriate responses for when human errors or system failures occur.
• Provide support to division, department, and business unit leaders in regards to budget development, financial strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Provide financial analysis and support to the business owners by facilitating the development of the long-range plan, providing financial outlook modeling, and budget variance analysis to ensure alignment with goals and objectives.
• Perform financial and operational analysis of a department's organizational structure, management systems, and needs to assist in the development of departmental-wide strategies and plans in support of the districts strategic objectives.
• Support various business units through ad hoc financial analysis, including new business opportunities, student enrollment forecasts, pricing analysis, etc.
• Annually assess and develop the process to lead departments, including communication and training regarding budget issues, draft policies, and procedures.
• Provide leadership, direction, and continuous quality improvement to the Internal Audit, Budget Departments and Risk functions within the Business and Finance department.
• Support the Chief Financial Officer in the continuous assessment and improvement of the financial planning, analysis, and strategy development for the district.
• Coordinate and collaborate with division leaders within Business and Finance on innovative programs and process improvements.
• Participate in the evaluation of work measurement/productivity studies, management control, plans of service, fiscal accountability, methods analysis, and other elements of management and administration.
• Ensure that the Chief Financial Officer is informed of significant budgetary or financial changes, events, and actions including projections, trends, and analysis of issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.