Manager of Operations & Finance - Children First Fund

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 370,000 students in more than 600 schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments - high quality, rigorous instruction, talented and empowered educators, safety and support, financial stability and collective impact.

Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Manager of Operations and Finance (Manager) will spearhead operations efforts as the Children First Fund (CFF) is relaunched as a proactive fundraising entity in support of Chicago Public Schools. In this new role, the Manager will have the opportunity to build, oversee and execute the development priorities of the Children First Fund, including new and innovative strategies for public engagement and revenue sources for CPS.

Your Impact:

• Build a new entity and innovative initiatives to procure increased support of Chicago Public Schools, educators, students and families.
  
  
• Reimagine new ways for Chicago's vast resources in time, talent and treasure to be leveraged in the advancement of CPS and build processes which enable growth and sustainability of innovative and impactful partnerships.
  
  
• Establish new strategies for CPS to leverage philanthropy at all giving levels to increase Chicagoans' connection to the city's schools and youth to build public trust and investment in Chicago's future and CPS' continued success.
  
  

Key Responsibilities:

The Manager of Operations and Finance role requires a candidate with organizational leadership experience, strong operations and financial management experience in a nonprofit organization's development and/or advancement department, along with professional communications and interpersonal relationship building skills.

Operations

• Develop and implement a business plan and subsequent fundraising targets to enable the financial and operational sustainability of the CFF
  
  
• Compose the CFF's annual strategic plan and oversee staff progress to goal
  
  
• Support the development of CFF's staff performance goals and key performance indicators aligned to the strategic plan
  
  
• Working with senior management, update, codify, train and implement CFF internal controls across CFF and CPS grantees
  
  
• Contract with third party vendors for services, with particular focus on appropriate contractual arrangements for the efficient fulfillment services related to the operations of the foundation.
  
  
• Support the management and utilization of the CFF Board of Directors
  
  
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with CPS leadership, partners and major donors and prospects
  
  
• Develop and execute the organization of special events and regular engagement opportunities for CPS leadership with the philanthropic community
  
  
• Collaborate with External Partnerships team to activate meaningful engagement benefits for Children First Fund partners; codify sponsorship benefits approach in accordance with experience and standard best practices
  
  
• Serve as foundation expert internally, with advanced knowledge of industry trends
  
  

Finance

• Support the development of the CFF's annual fundraising strategy; set ambitious yet attainable goals, industry leading key performance indicators (KPIs), monitor progress and insert supports where relevant and required
  
  
• Prepare annual budget for the CFF and CPS' External Affairs and Partnerships Department
  
  
• Manage and ensure successful annual audits and tax returns
  
  
• Prepare financial and operating metrics, timely and accurate cash forecasting and financial reporting for the Executive Director and Board of Directors
  
  
• Oversee all invoice reconciliation and processing, as well as processes for the enhancement of data integrity.
  
  

• Develop and execute trainings for CPS staff that enable leaders to obtain financial support and partnerships from external sources; manage information about pending proposals across the district ensuring proper reporting and stewardship
  
  
• Manage the implementation and integration of Intacct and Salesforce, developing and revising standard operating procedures to advance the foundation's operations;
  
  
• Supervise staff responsible for grant administration
  
  
• Perform other related duties as requested and required for the success of the CFF and CPS' Office of External Affairs and Partnerships
  
  

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; Master's preferred
  
  

Type of Experience Required :

• Minimum of 5 years experience in operations, administration, finance and/or development; Non-profit and multi-donor type (e.g. foundation, family/individual, corporate, etc.) experience preferred
  
  
• Must embrace the mission of providing equitable access to high quality educational opportunities for every CPS student and be self-motivated in pursuit of this goal
  
  
• Have a strong inclination for organization, management and staff development internally, as well as networking, community engagement and external representation of CPS and its leadership externally
  
  
• Demonstrated excellence in time-management, organizational, managerial, and communication skills
  
  
• Proficiency with Intacct and Salesforce
  
  
• Proven track record in organizational management, process development and implementation across large, dynamic systems
  
  
• Ability to travel and work outside traditional business hours
  
  
• Enjoys working in a demanding, fast-paced and entrepreneurial work environment; is flexible and adaptable to change
  
  
• Positive and professional attitude and enthusiasm for contributing to a team and positive work culture
  
  

Residency Requirement :

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.