United Charter High Schools, a newly formed education corporation serving over 3,000 students across campuses in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, seeks an innovative and seasoned COO/CFO to build this new entity's financial and operational foundation.
United Charter High Schools (UCHS) is the largest and most successful public charter high school network in NYC. UCHS operates with a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and a dedication to innovation, growth, and providing an enriching educational experience for its students. Originally founded as New Visions Charter High Schools by the non-profit New Visions for Public Schools, it was established to provide quality educational opportunities for students in underserved communities. Renamed UCHS as of July 2024, the network consists of 7 charter high schools that held a collective graduation rate of 96% in 2022 and 2023 while serving more than 3,000 students across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. They are some of New York State’s highest performing charter high schools, consistently meeting, and in many cases exceeding, NYSED’s Performance Benchmarks for Student Performance - outperforming NYS on the 4-year Cohort Regents’ exams and the 4-year graduation rate for all students and special populations. They also include the only NYC High School to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award in 2022.
OPPORTUNITY
The Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Financial Officer (COO/CFO) will join a team that is making a profound impact on the lives of students in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. The COO/CFO will be the driving force behind the pursuit of exceptional operational performance required to deliver the world-class education UCHS seeks to provide students during this time of reinvention.
This is an exciting opportunity to create and execute a vision for operational excellence across the organization and to partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to build a transformational school model with the potential to impact thousands of high school students across NYC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Define and implement operational vision
- Develop operational vision and systems.
- Build and improve operational processes.
- Manage team to oversee and strengthen school operations across all seven charter high schools and central office.
- Manage team to oversee and strengthen shared operational services for the organization, including facilities, safety, compliance, technology, and procurement.
- Build out technology infrastructure with partners like Power School and I-wise.
Drive financial stability
- Ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions through transition with New Visions.
- Lead the management and coordination of multiple complex revenue streams.
- Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
- Forecast staffing models and build necessary reserves for system-wide investments.
- Oversee contract management, ensuring compliance and accuracy for all government and other contracts, and manages outsourcing of finance functions as needed.
- Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Facilitate the preparation and presentation of monthly budget reporting and annual budget projections.
Manage team through change
- Set and execute a vision for the UCHS talent experience and value proposition in partnership with educational leaders.
- Manage team to fully recruit, retain, and develop talent across the organization.
- Build the finance department’s capacity as budget owners.
Manage board relations & reporting
- Report on the organization's financial performance to the Board of Directors, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities.
- Represent the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required. MBA and/or CPA preferred.
- At least 10 years of experience in financial management or accounting for complex transactions and 5 years in a senior finance role.
- Strategic-minded individual with the operational background to execute and drive performance.
- A proven track record of successful financial management, including experience developing and implementing financial strategies, managing budgets, and overseeing financial reporting and compliance.
- Strong leadership and management skills with experience building and leading high-performing teams and a passionate interest in mentoring others.
- Proven leadership experience in urban education or a related field.
- Deep experience with school-based budgets and building out systems for school-based support.
- Track record of forensic accounting work.
- Previous experience managing school operations, compliance, facilities projects, and/or human resources across multiple schools.
- Prior experience in organizational leadership and managing through layers of teams.
Benefits
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This position offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $180,000 and robust benefits, including medical, dental, and retirement. More details can be provided upon request. For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Brett Kunsch at [email protected].
