We are seeking to hire an experienced, inspiring and detail-oriented leader to serve as the first Director of Finance for One City Schools. This talented leader will partner with our CEO and Head of Schools to bring our financial management and accounting systems in-house, develop outstanding financial management and accounting practices and procedures for our organization and schools, and support the fiduciary responsibilities and work of our Board of Directors. This is a full-time position with competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. The Director of Finance will report to the CEO and serve on One City’s Executive Team.

ABOUT ONE CITY SCHOOLS

One City Schools is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization that provides high quality educational opportunities for young children. Our mission is to seed a new model of public education that ensures young children are on track to succeed in a college or career preparatory program from birth through high school graduation. Our vision is of a Greater Madison community where there are no persistent achievement and opportunity gaps, and where all children are prepared to contribute and succeed as adults. To this end, One City’s goal is to ensure young children are prepared to read, compute and succeed at grade level by the time they reach first grade. More importantly, we aim to partner with families and the broader community to cultivate children who become free, global and deep thinkers, curious learners, effective problem solvers, humanitarians, happy people and young people who care about the world around them.

Currently, One City operates two schools and will open its secondary school in September 2022.

One City Preschool is a noteworthy, accredited, 5-star early childhood learning center that serves children ages 2 – 4. It utilizes the highly regarded Anji Play curriculum of Anji, China, and was the first school in the world outside Mainland China to implement the program, thus winning it international attention. It has also been recognized as the “Best of Madison in Child Care”.

One City Elementary School (OCES) is a unique, two-generation public school, authorized by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, that provides a tuition-free education to children in grades 4K through Grade 4 in South Madison, and will add 5th grade in September 2022. OCES works directly with families to ensure children are learning, inspired and making solid progress. It is an EL Education Affiliate School, offering the highly effective Expeditionary Learning curriculum. It is also the only public school in Wisconsin that has both a longer school day and longer school year.

One City Preparatory Academy (OCPA) will enroll children in grades 6 through 12 and serve as Wisconsin’s only full-serve Early College and Career Preparatory school, where all students will begin taking college courses in high school, and as early as 9th grade. Also authorized as a public charter school by the UW System Board of Regents, it will open in fall 2022.

At maturity, One City will serve as many as 970 students at capacity, with the potential to add other school locations in the future.

In August 2021, we moved into our permanent home, a $12 million facility located at 1707 W. Broadway in Monona, Wisconsin, a small city located on the south side of Madison, our capital city. This 13.5 acre campus includes a 157,000 school facility that will serve as our administrative headquarters, and home to our elementary and secondary schools. We are also building a 180,000 square foot athletic center that will have Southern Wisconsin’s only FIFA regulated indoor competition soccer field, two adult-sized basketball courts, weight training and cardio rooms, locker rooms and underground parking. Our campus also includes a wooded nature area for science and outdoor learning, and outdoor play. Our campus is situated just 5 blocks from Lake Monona, near Lake Waubesa, and 10 minutes from downtown Madison.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE POSITION 

The Director of Finance has primary responsibility for the planning, implementation, and oversight of the accounting and financial reporting activities of One City Schools. These functions include business planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations. They are also responsible for obtaining and maintaining investor relations and partnership compliance. This is a hands-on role that requires this position to have the ability and interest to set up processes and systems as well as develop and lead a team. As part of an executive management team, the Director of Finance will have interaction with various employees and other stakeholders of One City. Their responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership, design, direction and management of finance and accounting functions;
• Providing strategic recommendations, including models of growth, to the CEO and members of the executive management team;
• Managing the processes for financial forecasting and budgeting, and overseeing the preparation of all financial reporting;
• Advising on short and long-term business and financial planning, including financing and access to capital;
• Establishing, developing and managing relationships with senior management, external partners and stakeholders;
• Participating in the development of a youth-run Credit Union at One City’s new facility in Monona, WI and its financial literacy/education program for students, staff and families; and
• Supporting the work of One City’s Board of Directors and its committees.

Core Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking: The ability to break down complex information to analyze, interpret and evaluate to solve a problem or make a decision.
• Business Acumen: The ability to understand and apply information to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan. Skills can include business knowledge, systems thinking and interpreting data and metrics.
• Developing and Training Others: The ability to support and contribute to the professional growth and development of colleagues and staff.
• Customer Service: The ability to approach every contact with patients and colleagues to create the best experience and interaction. Key skills include super smiles, telephone etiquette and service recovery.
• Managing Change: The ability to demonstrate support for and adapt to innovation and organizational changes. Displays adaptability as well as supporting others through uncertainty.
• Stress Management: The ability to keep functioning when under pressure and maintain self-control in face of adversity.
• Technology and/or Specialized Skills: The ability to demonstrate knowledge and depth of skill in a technical or content area.

Professional Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to the mission, vision, goals and objectives of One City, and to working to support young children from diverse racial/cultural populations and their families
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics.
• 5 years of experience in the accounting and finance industry
• 3 years of supervisory experience
• Ability to effectively lead, manage and develop a team
• Cohesive ability at interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Able to engage and work collaboratively with staff at all levels of the organization and exercise sound judgement
• Proficient with use of Microsoft applications, including Excel and Word, as well as electronic mail and internet applications
• Extensive knowledge of general ledger software.
• Knowledge of the concepts of accounting and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), auditing standards, and federal compliance requirements.
• Extensive experience with computer systems, spreadsheets, or database applications; data flow, report creation and interpretation required.
• Experience manipulating and understanding complex data.
• Experience analyzing and solving complex issues and problems.
• Completion of a background check required

Preferred Professional Qualifications (but not required):

• MBA or CPA
• 3 years of experience working in public accounting, management accounting or internal audit
• Experience working in the K12 education industry or not-for-profit industry

Personal Qualifications:

• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Efficient and organized
• Reliable and punctual
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong patient/customer service skills
• Problem solving skills individually and in a group setting
• Positive attitude, able to build morale
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work well as a team player with student care and needs as the first priority
• Demonstrates cultural competence with students and staff.
• Open to continuous learning to build effectiveness.
• Attentive to safety and security issues
• Articulates and supports the mission of the organization.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

One City offers market competitive salaries and wages with comprehensive health benefits to all full-time employees. Compensation will be consistent with One City’s approved compensation plan as stipulated by the Board of Directors. Benefits include:

• Salary Range: $85,000 to $115,000, depending on experience, and with opportunities for growth
• Generous time off program, including 18 Days of paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental and vision)
• 401K with employer match of 5.9%
• Voluntary Benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Children automatically admitted to One City Elementary School and One City Preparatory Academy
• 25% reduction of tuition for first child enrolled in One City’s Preschool (ages 2 to 3) and 10% for 2nd child
• Life Insurance and Long-term Disability
• Investment in Professional Growth and Development
• Employee Assistance Plan

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

One City is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all team members and applicants, and to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

COVID-19 PRECAUTION(S): 

Currently, 100% of our students are learning in-person. We have very effective COVID-19 health protocols to protect our students, employees and volunteers, including onsite testing, masking, social distancing, daily screening and sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place.