TITLE: Business Manager
DEPARTMENT: Finance
POSITION TYPE: Contracted
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business (Finance or Accounting) and a minimum of five years of school finance experience and/or,
- Certified Public Accountant and/or
- State Chief School Business Official Certification and/or,
- Experience as a Pennsylvania School District Business Manager or Assistant Business Manager required.
- Experience in a union environment is preferred, especially with the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements.
- Experience in a school environment, including school construction, bonds and other public financing programs.
- Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, organizational acumen and a commitment to excellence.
- Must have the ability to objectively coach employees and administration through complex, difficult and emotional issues.
REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools
SUPERVISES: Accounts Payable Secretary/ District Registrar, Payroll Secretary, Bookkeeper
JOB GOAL: To effectively manage and coordinate all financial and operational activities across the district, which serves approximately 1400 students. This role is vital in advising the Superintendent and Board on budgeting and financial planning, ensuring that the educational needs and aspirations of the community are reflected in a cohesive financial strategy. The Business Manager is also responsible for overseeing critical services such as food service, transportation, and building maintenance, aligning these operations with the district’s educational mission.
Additionally, the Business Manager is a key member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, providing insights on administrative and financial matters in compliance with state and federal regulations. This position
requires strong leadership to cultivate collaborative relationships with board members, staff, and community stakeholders. By ensuring exceptional customer service and operational efficiency within the Business office, the Business Manager supports the district’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment that nurtures the diverse identities and abilities of all members of the school community, ultimately fostering student development into responsible citizens.
PERFORMANCE AND ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:Finance:
- Prepare annual school district budget,
- Supervises the preparation of all necessary financial reports for the State Education Department, Department of Audit and Control, Board of Education, National School Lunch Program, and Federal Government,
- Computes tax rates based upon current assessed valuations and equalization rates and coordinates the tax collections process,
- Supervises the accounting functions involved in the general funds account, food service, debt service, bond construction, construction, renovation & repair (CR&R) accounts, federal aid accounts, and the various trust, activities and agency accounts in such a manner as to provide proper safeguards for the custody of public funds,
- Invests funds not immediately needed, in cooperation with other school district officers, so as to earn the greatest amount of interest in accordance with the law and board policy,
- Works with the district insurance consultants in keeping the insurance coverage up to date and reviews annually for cost containment at the same time allowing proper safeguards,
- Develops and maintains fiscal relationships with other governmental and private units
- Interprets fiscal policy for staff and public,
- Serves as an advisory member of the district’s negotiating teams,
- Attends the Board of School Business Managers meetings and assists the Superintendent of Schools in an advisory capacity,
- Works with federal, state and local auditors as they conduct examinations of the district’s
financial reports,
12. Translates the educational needs of the District as expressed in periodic meetings into composite short and long term financial plans
13. Maintains financial records for all federal programs in accordance with federal regulations/guidelines and prepares any necessary federal reports in coordination with federal program coordinators.
14. Maintains financial records for all grant programs in accordance with grant regulations/guidelines and prepares any necessary financial reports in coordination with grant recipients.
15. Schedules and prepares district records and accounts for internal audits, annual independent audits, periodic state audits and assists in the preparation of any audit response and/or corrective action plan that may result in independent or state audits.
15. Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
Operations:
- Coordinates, supervises and evaluates, in conjunction with various department Business Managers, all personnel within his/her jurisdiction including recruitment and recommendation for employment,
- Assists in identifying needs and in planning building programs undertaken by the Board of School Business Managers,Responsible for the preparation and bidding of contract documents and for supervision of the overall operation of the transportation department, including the establishment of bus route, student assignments and school starting times,
- Is responsible for directing and coordinating the districts food service program in liaison with the sub-contractor with whom they are presently contracting,
- Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
Marginal Job Duties:
- Participates on county and area committees as a representative of the district. Dependent on availability, he/she may sit on various boards throughout the community,
- May be asked to attend various functions and events in the district and community,
- Performs such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Superintendent of Schools and keeps informed on all aspects of the school district as they affect the business operation.
- Provides the Superintendent and other staff members, as well as the Board, with facts and information that help them in their relations with the public
- Assists in the organization and execution of in-service training programs aimed at increasing the skills of school business management
Communication Requirements:
This position requires eloquent communication skills. Written and oral communication skills are employed on a continuous basis. Also, the ability to hear, read and computer literacy are necessary. Writing of fiscal plans is also a necessity in this position.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Work year, workdays, salary, and benefits are established in accordance with the individual employment contract negotiated between the Board of School Business Managers and employee.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Visual acuity is required of this position
- This position requires extended periods of sitting, walking extended periods of time periodically, and standing for limited periods of time periodically
- Occasional bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, and crouching may be required
- Climbing as it relates to stairs; may occur, however elevators are available for use at the employees discretion.
- Occasional to Frequent twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, and pulling, etc., may be required
- Frequent use of hand strength and dexterity to handle objects, tools, or controls are required
- This position would require lifting anywhere from 1-5 pounds on an occasional basis throughout the day (ie. Paperwork and books/manuals). Heavier objects weighing up to 20 pounds are rarely required to be lifted and custodial support is available for assistance as needed.
- The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.
EVALUATION:
Performance of the job will be evaluated at least annually in accordance with the provisions of the Administration and Supervisory Evaluation Plan.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- School District Business Management: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
