Director of Finance

ReNEW Schools; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ReNEW Schools is seeking an USI Director of Finance to codify and drive financial policies, oversee budgeting and long-term planning, and partner with school leaders to prioritize finances.

You will work with external finance/HR partners, coordinate audits, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide capital and growth initiatives across multiple sites within the network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, or fiscal management.
• At least 3 years in a management/supervisory role.
• Experience with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, fund accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience with multi-site organizations and school/district finance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Align finance, HR/payroll, and staffing with organizational priorities and long-term plans.
• Validate cash flow and liquidity forecasts with adequate reserves.
• Present alignment and liquidity assessments to Superintendent and Board.
• Coordinate with external finance partner on accounting, budgeting, and financial modeling.
• Oversee accounting systems and monthly/annual reporting in line with laws and policies.
• Manage network budget, AP vouchers, vendor relationships, and procurement controls.
• Collaborate on audits, internal controls, and compliance with regulations.
• Support staffing model design and compensation benchmarking with external partners.
• Lead annual budget planning, financial modeling, and growth strategy.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Financial reporting

Cash flow management

Analytical skills

Leadership & management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP/accounting software

Job description

Overview

The USI Director of Finance codifies and facilitates the implementation of policies and procedures that improve the fiscal health of the organization, and collaborates with USI Network Team and reports to the Superintendent to develop long-term financial strategies and identify financial priorities alongside school leaders.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Alignment & Liquidity Oversight

• Ensure all financial, staffing, compensation, and HR/payroll functions — whether performed internally or by external partners — align with the organization's strategic priorities and long-term plan
• Validate the organization's cash flow and liquidity forecasts, ensuring adequate reserves and financial flexibility to support ongoing operations and growth
• Present strategic alignment and liquidity assessments to the Superintendent and Board as part of regular financial reporting

Finance, Accounting & Strategy

Budgeting, Financial Reporting & Reconciliation

• Serve as primary point of contact with the external finance and strategy partner supporting accounting, staffing model, compensation strategy, and financial modeling
• Analyze monthly organizational financials, prepared in coordination with the external partner, to assess financial health and adherence to annual budgets
• Maintain a system of effective financial reporting — incorporating the external partner's monthly and annual deliverables — by preparing regular reports to the Superintendent
• Direct the maintenance of an accounting system consistent with State and Federal laws, regulations, and network policies, in partnership with the external finance partner
• Serve as the network budget manager and purchasing point of contact; review and approve weekly AP vouchers
• Oversee credit card allocations, reconciliation, and bank relationship; collaborate to respond to fraud instances

Audit & Internal Controls

• Collaborate with the external finance partner to prepare for and execute the annual audit; support the business operations team throughout the process
• Collaborate to reinforce internal controls, including federal procurement policies and documentation
• Lead compliance and procedures associated with insurance policies (property, liability), including internal incident reporting and carrier notification

Staffing Model & Compensation Strategy

• Partner with the external finance and strategy partner on organizational structure and staffing model design — reviewing staffing allocations and reporting structures, and shaping staffing scenarios grounded in enrollment trends and organizational priorities
• Partner with the external finance and strategy partner on compensation strategy and benchmarking against peer schools and national practice, translating benchmarking into compensation framework recommendations

Financial Modeling, Budget & Growth Strategy

• Partner with the external finance and strategy partner and senior leaders on the annual budget planning process, including FY27 financial model alignment and scenario analysis
• Optimize interest earnings; provide analyses and forecasts of resources and expenditures using the external partner's financial modeling
• Oversee bond compliance, issuance, and debt management
• Direct capital purchase strategy, ensuring compliance with procurement procedures and internal controls
• Assist in the development and execution of growth strategy — financial modeling, facility acquisition, and strategic relationships with external partners
• Collaborate with business operations and partnerships teams to maximize organizational revenue; coordinate investments for maximum growth

Contracts & Property

• Review contracts, leases, and sales agreements for financial and operational impact prior to execution
• Participate in evaluating and acquiring network properties and in developing new facilities
• Advise the Superintendent and provide consultant service to staff on all matters related to business service
• Perform other related duties as requested by the Superintendent

People Operations — HR, Benefits & Compliance

• Serve as primary point of contact with the external HR and payroll partner supporting HR, benefits, and HR compliance
• Oversee implementation of the external partner's HR compliance monitoring, employee handbook and policy updates, and HR roadmap recommendations
• Coordinate with the external partner on payroll processing, benefits administration (including Open Enrollment), retirement plan coordination, and year-end payroll requirements
• Partner with the external HR partner on onboarding/offboarding, employee relations support, and performance management coordination
• Review the external partner's HR, benefits, and payroll deliverables for accuracy and alignment with network budget and policy
• Ensure a clear division of responsibilities across external partners, escalating any gaps or overlaps in scope to the Superintendent
• Supervises the Business Manager for the network

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, or fiscal management.
• At least 3 years of experience in a management / supervisory role
• Experience in the public sector, nonprofit, charter school, or K–12 education finance strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing the financial operations of a multi-site organization, preferably a network of schools or school district.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Uniform Guidance, fund accounting, budget development, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of Indiana school funding formulas, state and federal education funding streams, grants management, and compliance requirements preferred.
• Experience developing long-term financial forecasts, multi-year financial models, and organizational budget planning.
• Proficiency with financial management systems, Microsoft Excel, and ERP/accounting software.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to present financial information to executive leadership and governing boards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation strongly preferred.
• Experience working with charter schools, education management organizations (EMOs), or public school districts in Indiana.
• Experience collaborating with external auditors, financial consultants, authorizers, and government agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational financial strategy while maintaining strong internal controls and compliance.

Work Environment

• Hybrid work schedule may be available based on organizational needs and performance.
• Regular onsite presence is strongly preferred to support collaboration with school and network leadership across multiple campuses.
• Occasional evening meetings (e.g., Board meetings) and travel between school locations may be required.