Chief Business Officer

El Camino Real Charter High School; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, vision insurance (100%

Life insurance

CalPERS retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Generous paid time off and holidays

Job summary

El Camino Real Charter High School is seeking a Chief Business Officer to lead financial strategy, budgeting, and compliance. The role reports to the Executive Director and partners with the Board to secure long-term fiscal health for the School.

The CBO will manage GAAP reporting, cash flow, risk, and investments, while overseeing payroll, benefits, audits, and LCAP/LCFF financial coordination. A CPA/CMA and charter-school finance experience are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• MBA and CPA/CMA strongly desired.
• Extensive experience in financial management and charter school finance.
• Ability to lead budgeting, financial planning, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record of managing large budgets and financial operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of a comprehensive financial strategy aligned with the school’s mission and long-term objectives.
• Oversee annual budget, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and timely financial reporting.
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and investment oversight.
• Oversee risk management and regulatory compliance across operations.
• Coordinate with government agencies and report to the Board on financial performance and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Stakeholder management

Adaptability

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance

MBA preferred

CPA/CMA highly desired

Tools

NetSuite

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Our mission is to create an inclusive environment that prepares our diverse student body for the next phase of their educational, professional, and personal journey through a rigorous, customized academic program that inspires the development of students’ unique talents and skills, builds character, and provides opportunities for civic engagement and real-world experiences.We provide a supportive and enriching environment for both students and staff. We are committed to academic excellence and fostering a strong sense of community.We are currently seeking a Chief Business Officer (“CBO”) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the financial operations and strategic management of El Camino Real Alliance dba El Camino Real Charter High School (“ECRCHS” or the “School”), a high-performing charter school with a budget of approximately $40 million annually. The CBO plays a critical role in driving financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the alignment of the School’s financial strategy with its long-term goals. Reporting directly to the Executive Director with a dotted line to the ECRA Board of Directors, the CBO is a key advisor and trusted partner, working to create and maintain a solid financial foundation for the School’s growth and success.Key Responsibilities:Financial Leadership & Strategic Oversight:Develop and implement a comprehensive financial strategy that aligns with the school’s mission and long-term objectives.Lead the preparation, monitoring, and adjustment of the annual operating budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation across all departments and programs.Oversee the forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning process, providing data-driven insights to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.Ensure strong financial stewardship by maintaining robust financial systems, controls, and compliance mechanisms, adhering to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and financing strategies, ensuring sufficient liquidity and financial reserves to meet both short- and long-term obligations.Responsible for reviewing the process of salary payments for all school employees and performing other duties related to payroll including tax deposits, external reporting, and thirdparty payments.Assist the coordination and implementation of the various employee benefits programs offered by the schools such as retirement and health benefit administration.Oversee all financial aspects of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) as implemented through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).Operational Oversight & Risk Management:Direct and manage non-academic operational functions, including procurement, payroll, and risk management.Oversee the school’s risk management strategy, including legal, insurance, and environmental considerations, ensuring a safe and compliant operational environment.Manage the accounting department and external financial service providers to ensure the timely and accurate preparation of financial reports and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).Oversee year-end close procedures, audits, and tax filings, ensuring that all financial records are properly reconciled, and reports are submitted to regulatory authorities.Oversee outsourced Investment Manager, ensuring adherence to investment policies and that all investment strategies align with the school’s financial objectives and risk tolerance.Oversee ECRA’s cafeteria operations and reporting to CDE.Government & Stakeholder EngagementServe as the primary liaison between ECRCHS and key government agencies such as LACOE, CDE, IRS, EDD, and LAUSD, ensuring regulatory compliance and promptly addressing issues, audits, or reviews.Build and maintain strong relationships with the Board of Directors, external auditors, and other critical stakeholders, providing regular updates on financial performance, strategic initiatives, and fiscal health.Strategic Financial Initiatives & GrowthIdentify and explore new revenue streams in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer, including facility rentals, development fundraising, student activities, and international student programs to diversify school income.Conduct financial feasibility studies for potential expansion projects and other capital initiatives, collaborating with consultants as needed to assess opportunities for growth.Implement financial systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency, cost control, and accountability across the organizationLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop the business office team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance that aligns with the school’s mission and objectives.Collaborate with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to shape and execute the school’s strategic priorities, ensuring financial considerations are incorporated into key decision-making processes.Oversee negotiations and collective bargaining discussions with employee groups, ensuring financial aspects are effectively communicated and managed.Prepare informational documents and report to support ECRCHS’ negotiations teams in collective bargaining with all groups; monitor, analyze, and report to the Executive Director and the Board information related to collective bargaining.Responsible for any additional duties, responsibilities, and functions as delegated by the School’s Executive Director.Maintain and grow network of financial executives.Technical Skills:High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, advanced experience in Excel (required).Knowledge of NetSuite accounting software (preferred).Prior experience with Enterprise Resource Platform systems is strongly desired.Required Skills and Competencies:Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.Adaptable to a changing work environment and willingness to do tasks outside of the norm.Strategic thinker who can translate complex financial information into actionable insights for executive leadershipExceptional leadership skills with demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain effective and collaborative cross-functional relationships with other department office personnel, general staff and vendors.Commitment to educational excellence and reform, with a passion for the success of students and the broader School community.Education and/or Experience:Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field is required.Master’s Degree in Business Administration is preferred.Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or equivalent is highly desired.Extensive experience in financial management and operational leadership, with a background in charter school finance and administration, public education, business and educational lawProven track record of success in managing large budgets, implementing strategic financial plans, and overseeing complex financial operationsDemonstrated ability to plan, organize, and direct staff and initiate and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with stakeholders.Demonstrated ability to formulate plans and policies and analyze and make sound recommendations on complex problems.Interest in and commitment to education reform.Tuberculosis (TB) test clearance is requiredDepartment of Justice (DOJ) Live Scan clearance is requiredWhat We Offer:Competitive salaryComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, including 100% paid premiums on select medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependentsRetirement savings plan with employer match$50,000 Life insurance policy.Participation in the CalPERS retirement programProfessional development opportunitiesGenerous paid time off and holidaysSupportive and collaborative work environmentAt El Camino Real Charter High School, we believe in investing in our staff and providing a positive and rewarding work experience. Join us in making a difference in the lives of our students!El Camino Real Charter High School is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, disability, history of disability or perceived disability.