Vice President of Finance

About KIPP DC Public Schools

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools, 7,300 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission. From a financial perspective, KIPP DC will have revenue of more than $220M in FY22 and a balance sheet of almost $500M.

Position Overview

The VP of Finance supports the financial vision and strategy for all entities of the organization, ensuring KIPP DC has the financial leadership and resources to readily support and accomplish its organizational mission. The VP of Finance serves as a key business partner to the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Board of Directors, and Executive Team, as well as external stakeholders, such as our institutional bond investors. The VP of Finance sets high standards for financial integrity and stewardship across the organization to execute financial operations with impeccable customer service, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and governance requirements, and providing financial planning and guidance to all teams at KIPP DC.

The VP of Finance role is an exempt position and will report to the Chief Operating Officer. The VP of FInance will manage the accounting, grants, payroll, procurement, and financial planning and analysis teams. The Controller and Managing Director of Finance will report to the VP of Finance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Finance & Accounting (40%)

  • Provides leadership and oversight in the areas of financial reporting, accounting operations, payroll, procurement, expense, and cash functions

  • Supports the Chief Operating Officer in managing all aspects of the organization’s finances; supports HDQ colleagues, the Board, and appropriate school-based staff through financial modeling, compliance, and data-driven analysis

  • With the support of the Controller, oversees the organization’s accounting function to ensure the accurate execution of annual and monthly accounting, reporting, banking, compliance, grants management, payroll, accounts payable, and internal controls

  • With the support of the Managing Director of Finance, oversees the organization’s finance function to ensure appropriate annual and long-term planning, in-year review of budget versus actuals, procurement procedures and compliance, investment strategy, financings, and capital planning

  • Supports the development of the organization’s long-term financial strategy, including strengthening of the organization’s balance sheet and setting other appropriate financial targets to ensure strong financial health and financial sustainability for the organization

  • Implements protocols to effectively manage current and future federal and state grants to ensure grants are secured, allocated, budgeted, tracked, and in compliance

  • Leverages technology to maximize the efficiency of the financial needs of the organization, including accounting, budget, expense management, and payroll software platforms

  • Lead the execution of all financings to support capital improvement plans and new buildings

  • Ensures the delivery of all mandated financial reports to authorizers, lenders, funders, auditors, and other key stakeholders

• Integrity and financial stewardship (20%)

  • Communicates clear expectations for adherence to policies and internal controls

  • Develops and manage internal mechanisms for oversight and accountability

  • Builds and improves the operating mechanisms to provide top notch customer support year around at campuses and HDQ

  • Reviews the annual financial audit and reports to the Finance Committee on any findings or material weaknesses, with the support of the Controller; puts necessary remediation plans in place if/when needed

  • Monitors budget process to ensure it is aligned with organizational strategy and reports findings and approach to Finance Committee

  • Monitors budget and year end projections monthly to ensure on track performance to achieve targets

• Strategic Leadership (20%)

  • Develops organization-wide financial strategies, systems and processes, and key performance indicators for growth and success

  • Partners with HDQ colleagues and school-based staff on operational and strategic issues as they arise; provides recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis

  • Oversees the design, revision, and roll out for the creation of new financial systems, structures, and policies, and adeptly manage communication and project plans to ensure thorough understanding and follow-through

  • Oversees the creation of long-range and short-range financial models for new initiatives in collaboration with schools and appropriate HDQ colleagues

• Team Management (20%)

  • Directly manages the Controller and Managing Director of Finance

  • Identifies opportunities and leads the change management process to establish the Finance Team as collaborative and school-centric, supporting partnerships across the organization

  • Creates a professional development plan for all members of the team to increase their capacity, technical knowledge base, and soft skill growth

  • Supports the Board’s Finance Committee, serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner to its members and the Board

  • Works alongside all teams to support finance, accounting, and budget decision-making through the development and implementation of clear communication systems and timelines

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in business administration or finance strongly preferred

• 12 years of professional work experience required; at least 7 years experience in K-12 systems

• Significant experience in senior budget and finance positions at complex organizations, ideally at education nonprofits or charter management organizations

• Recent experience with non-profit >$150M in annual revenue preferred

• CPA preferred

• Experience managing multiple people and multiple teams required

• Experience managing financial systems required

• Experience and/or exposure to multiple lines of business with a demonstrated mix in both the public and private sector

• Strong analytical capabilities including financial planning, forecasting, modeling, and data analysis

• Proven project management skills as it relates to the creation of different systems and structures

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across teams across the organization, and with the Board of DIrectors

• Demonstrates integrity, both in words and actions, and encourages ethical behavior and decision making

• Ability to convey complex technical concepts and solutions to broad audiences

• Commitment to equity

To Apply

Please submit an online application through our website at http://www.kippdc.org/careers. If you have any questions, please direct them to our recruitment team via e-mail at careers@kippdc.org. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as the start date for this position is immediate. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race; color; national origin; immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law); religion; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions); age; physical or mental disability; medical condition; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); marital status (including domestic partnership status); genetic information; political affiliation; pregnancy; family responsibilities; personal appearance; veteran status; uniform service member status; status of being unemployed; status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking; matriculation; or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

DC requires all staff to provide proof of receiving a full course of vaccination (full course of vaccination constitutes two shots of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or one shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine) against COVID-19 or obtain an approval for exemption due to medical or religious reasons by start of employment. New hires who are partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, or awaiting approval for exemption will be not be able to begin employment.