Director of Business Services

McFarland School District

McFarland (WI)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 150,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

McFarland School District is seeking a Director of Business Services to provide strategic financial leadership and oversee the district’s financial and operational functions, reporting to the Superintendent and School Board.

The ideal candidate will hold a Wisconsin DPI School Business Administrator license, with a bachelor’s degree in finance or related field and at least five years of progressive leadership in public school or municipal operations. Start date January 4, 2027, or as negotiated.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in public school or municipal business operations.
Wisconsin DPI School Business Administrator License (5008) required.

Responsibilities

Lead district financial and operational functions, including budget development, monitoring, forecasting and reporting.
Oversee long-term financial planning, investments, debt management, facilities and capital planning.
Supervise a team of department leaders and hold teams accountable for results.
Explain complex financial issues to the School Board, staff, families and community.
Align district resources with student, staff and community needs.

Skills

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Position: Director of Business Services

Posting Date: September 23, 2026

Closing Date: October 19, 2026

Start Date: January 4, 2027, or as mutually agreed upon

Location: McFarland District Office

Compensation: Competitive Salary as negotiated and excellent benefit package

Required Certification: Valid Wisconsin DPI School Business Administrator License (5008)

Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in public school or municipal business operations. Successful experience as a Director of Business Services in a Wisconsin public school district is strongly preferred.

Hiring Timeline: Ideally 4 weeks after the closing date

Meeting the Needs of Every Learner, Every Day

McFarland School District is seeking highly qualified, collaborative, and forward-thinking candidates to serve as our next Director of Business Services. We aspire to hire a leader who can help us advance our mission of meeting the needs of every learner, every day, and our vision of being an equitable and inclusive community committed to student belonging, achievement, and growth.

The Director of Business Services is a key member of the district’s leadership team and serves as the district’s Chief Financial Officer. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the district’s financial and operational functions while working closely with the Superintendent, School Board, administrative team, staff, and community to support the district’s long-term financial and operational health and strategic priorities.

What Your Day Will Look Like:

The Director of Business Services leads and coordinates a broad range of district financial and operational functions. This includes budget development, monitoring, forecasting and reporting; long-term financial planning; investments and debt management; facilities and capital planning; risk management; transportation; technology operations; school nutrition; community education and recreation; and aspects of employee services.

The Director supervises and supports a talented team of department leaders, including the Director of Employee and Financial Services, Director of Community Services and Programming, Director of Buildings and Grounds, Director of Student Nutrition, Network Administrator, and transportation services. The Director establishes clear direction and expectations while empowering department leaders with the authority and autonomy to lead their areas effectively and holding individuals and teams accountable for results.

The Director also works closely with the Superintendent and School Board to explain complex financial issues, develop sustainable financial strategies, plan for operational and capital referendums, and ensure that district resources are aligned with the needs of students, staff, and the community. Across these responsibilities, the Director is expected to understand that effective business operations are ultimately about people and to keep the impact on students and staff at the center of decision-making.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Bring:

Strategic Financial Leadership:

Deep knowledge of Wisconsin school finance, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, investments, debt management, and long-term financial planning, with the ability to develop sustainable strategies that support district priorities.

Clear Financial Communication:

An exceptional ability to translate complex budget, financial, operational, and legislative information into clear, concise, and understandable language for the School Board, staff, families, and community, adapting communication to the needs and knowledge of the audience.

Empowering and Accountable Leadership:

Builds capable, high-performing teams by establishing clear expectations, providing appropriate authority and autonomy, trusting the expertise of direct reports, supporting professional growth, and holding individuals and teams accountable for results.

Collaborative Leadership:

A relationship-centered leadership style that builds trust, values the expertise of others, actively listens and seeks different perspectives, and creates collaborative, positive, and high-functioning teams.

Operational Leadership:

Experience leading or overseeing multiple operational areas, which may include facilities, transportation, technology, nutrition services, employee services, risk management, and community programming.

Strategic and Systems Thinking:

Sees both the big picture and the important details, understands how financial and operational systems intersect, effectively manages multiple complex priorities, anticipates long-term implications, and translates strategy into effective implementation.

Creative Problem Solving:

Approaches challenges with curiosity and an open mind, listens to different perspectives, thinks beyond traditional solutions, and looks for responsible ways to accomplish district priorities rather than defaulting to why something cannot be done.

Sound Decision-Making and Courageous Leadership:

Thinks deeply, exercises sound judgment, remains composed under pressure, makes difficult decisions when necessary, and navigates challenging conversations with professionalism, empathy, and respect.

Student-Centered Stewardship:

Keeps students at the center of financial and operational decision-making, balancing student and staff needs with fiscal responsibility, compliance, risk, and long-term sustainability.

Service-Oriented Leadership:

Creates a culture in which district operational departments are responsive, accessible, solutions focused, and committed to providing excellent service to students, staff, families, and the community. Is approachable and willing to step in and support the work when needed.

School and Community Partnership:

The ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, staff, municipal partners, contractors, consultants, families, and community members and develop strong relationships across a wide range of roles and perspectives.

Integrity and Transparency:

Sound judgment, accountability, discretion, transparency, composure, confidentiality, and a strong commitment to ethical stewardship of public resources.

Continuous Learning:

A commitment to ongoing professional growth and remaining current on Wisconsin school finance, legislative developments, emerging issues, regulations, and best practices affecting public education and district operations.

Why People Stay:

Through one-on-one interviews, McFarland staff say making deep connections with colleagues (including administrators) and students help them feel supported in McFarland. Staff who have worked in other districts noted that in McFarland class sizes are lower, special education caseloads are smaller, team budgets are larger, and they are glad to work in a community that supports schools, has a positive climate and a school board who respects teachers. We have a full-time librarian, social worker, school psychologist, and at least one school counselor in each building.

The District:

The McFarland School District stands out as one of the top academic districts in Dane County and Wisconsin, offering a strong educational foundation that families and educators are proud of. With an average enrollment of 2,100 to 2,400 students, McFarland is large enough to provide a comprehensive EC-12 academic and co-curricular program, yet small enough to focus on each student's unique needs. Known statewide for its welcoming atmosphere and student-centered approach, McFarland consistently attracts top-quality staff who enhance our vibrant, thriving community.

The Schools:

For more information, visit our school websites: