Vice President of Finance (25-26)
Description
Vice President of Finance
IDEA Public Schools
Role Mission:
IDEA Public Schools is searching for a Vice President of Finance. The Finance Team strives to support the leadership at IDEA as we work together to meet and exceed our ambitious financial and student achievement goals. The Vice President of Finance will lead financial planning analysis, position control and systems, payroll, and business services In doing so, the Vice President of Finance will be charged with setting and executing on the strategic financial vision for our growing organization and managing staff to sustained efficacy in all aspects of their scope.
Their mission is to ensure short- and long-term planning information is available to support strong decision making of senior leaders and fiduciary Boards. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer of IDEA Public Schools, the Vice President of Finance will play a critical role ensuring the Financial Planning and Analysis, Payroll and Business Services teams are equipped with the resources necessary to maintain compliance in alignment with local, state and federal requirements and achieve our shared mission of ensuring IDEA Public Schools students get to and through college.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The VP of Finance will supervise up to six direct reports.
Location:
This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.
Travel Expectations:
Up to 30% of the time during the busiest parts of the year
What You’ll Do – Accountabilities
In this role you will:
Upload a balanced budget by the start of the new fiscal year for IDEA Texas.
Strategically lead the annual financial planning and budget process in partnership with key stakeholders and cross functional teams such as Human Assets
Ensure the annual financial planning and budgeting process is holistic and adapts to meet the planning needs of the organization in any given fiscal year
Manage the master budget and pro formas through preliminary drafts, scenario planning, and final adoption along with intra-year budget amendments
Ensure annual planning and budgeting project milestones and deadlines are met
Lead the Financial Planning Analysis team to support fiduciaries and budget owners and their staff during the annual planning and budgeting process
Project and allocate enterprise revenue and expense forecasts, coordinating with internal partners to ensure accurate projections
Present regular updates to the IDEA Texas Executive team and Finance Committee
Guide national, regional and school teams in meeting their financial targets
Ensure the Finance team produces high quality reporting and analysis that assists budget managers and support staff in understanding the impact of monthly and year-to-date budget to actuals, and other key financial performance indicators
Lead the Financial Planning and Analysis team to build and update rolling forecasts in partnership with school and regional leaders to ensure schools and regional budgets will meet annual operating income targets
Consult with schools and teams that are off track and provide actionable recommendations to improve financial performance
Partner with the Finance Services team to ensure high quality support, reference materials, and development options are available to financial managers
Lead the maintenance of long-term financial models for existing regions based on IDEA’s strategic plan, national expansion and program changes.
Support the development of mathematical, analytical, statistical constructs and models to understand the impact of operating across existing and new regions
Align financial model outcomes with annual budgeting and proforma processes
Train internal stakeholders (Executive Directors, Senior Leadership, Advancement Leadership, etc.) on the purposes and outcomes of regional financial models
Produce and maintain two-five year revenue and expense forecasts
Provide leadership and guidance to the Payroll team.
Ensure the annual payroll calendar is holistic and adapts to meet the evolvingneeds of the organization in any given fiscal year
Develop and manage necessary relationships with banking partners and payroll vendors to ensure smooth processing and exception resolution.
Ensure Payroll team has adequate resources and information to carry out essential duties in a timely and compliant manner.
Assist the Payroll team in resolving grievances that arise during the fiscal year. Human Assets and Finance Teams to develop annual work and payroll calendars
Review data and reporting regarding key metrics, develop a dashboard available to mangers to provide additional transparency and visibility to payroll accuracy
Strategically partner with other key stakeholders such as Accounting, Treasury, Grants, Staffing, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Information Systems and Financial Planning and Analysis to build understanding for shared Payroll responsibilities.
Strategically partner with other key stakeholders such as Accounting, Treasury, Grants, Staffing, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Information Systems and Financial Planning and Analysis to build understanding for shared Payroll responsibilities. Provide leadership and guidance to the Business Office Service and Support Team
Ensure exemplary customer support for on campus schools and operations partners
Work through teams to cascade implementation and policy changes to create consistency across campuses
Advise on professional development for national regional and campus teams
Develop relationships with counterparts in Schools, Academic Services, and Operations teams to resolve concerns and partner on program enhancements for the benefit of IDEA students.
Additional Duties:
Provide leadership and guidance to the Business Office Support Services Team:
Provide Strategic Direction: Ensure alignment with Finance and organizational goals; guide the Business Office Support Services leader in setting priorities and driving outcomes.
Monitor Performance Accountability: Track service metrics (e.g., Zendesk, customer satisfaction), review trends and team reports, and hold the team accountable to performance and compliance standards.
Strengthen Communication: Review and advise on strategic communication plans tied to annual milestones; ensure messaging is clear, proactive, and aligned with Finance leadership.
Foster Collaboration: Promote cross-functional collaboration—especially with HR Shared Services and Compensation—to improve the end-user experience and service delivery.
What You Bring – Competencies
Knowledge and Skills:
Skill in critical-thinking and problem-solving, along with the ability to perform during moments of ambiguity
Skill in organization, prioritization, follow through, and attention to detail
Ability to plan and conduct financial and management audits
Knowledge of state school finance and the willingness to learn other states education finance systems
Able to build strong relationships and mutually beneficial business partnerships through trust, empathy, and credibility
Able to manage and monitor multiple projects at once, often under pressure with competing priorities and tight turnarounds while maintaining composure, ensuring quality, and achieving results
Able to analyze and interpret data and statistics to identify trends, draw conclusions, and develop strategies and tactics that that yield results and achieve goals
Required experience:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, management, finance, business or another relevant field. Master of Accountancy or Business Administration preferred.
10 years of work experience with 5 years finance, accounting or auditing experience; preferably non-profit or educational setting
Mastery in MS Excel and proven experience in building and maintaining complex financial models required.
What We Offer:
Compensation Benefits:
Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $161,600 and $198,800, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Application process:
Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Learn more about IDEA
At IDEA the School Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values
Apply Now
Vice President of Finance
IDEA Public Schools
Role Mission:
IDEA Public Schools is searching for a Vice President of Finance. The Finance Team strives to support the leadership at IDEA as we work together to meet and exceed our ambitious financial and student achievement goals. The Vice President of Finance will lead financial planning analysis, position control and systems, payroll, and business services In doing so, the Vice President of Finance will be charged with setting and executing on the strategic financial vision for our growing organization and managing staff to sustained efficacy in all aspects of their scope.
Their mission is to ensure short- and long-term planning information is available to support strong decision making of senior leaders and fiduciary Boards. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer of IDEA Public Schools, the Vice President of Finance will play a critical role ensuring the Financial Planning and Analysis, Payroll and Business Services teams are equipped with the resources necessary to maintain compliance in alignment with local, state and federal requirements and achieve our shared mission of ensuring IDEA Public Schools students get to and through college.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The VP of Finance will supervise up to six direct reports.
Location:
This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.
Travel Expectations:
Up to 30% of the time during the busiest parts of the year
What You’ll Do – Accountabilities
In this role you will:
Upload a balanced budget by the start of the new fiscal year for IDEA Texas.
Strategically lead the annual financial planning and budget process in partnership with key stakeholders and cross functional teams such as Human Assets
Ensure the annual financial planning and budgeting process is holistic and adapts to meet the planning needs of the organization in any given fiscal year
Manage the master budget and pro formas through preliminary drafts, scenario planning, and final adoption along with intra-year budget amendments
Ensure annual planning and budgeting project milestones and deadlines are met
Lead the Financial Planning Analysis team to support fiduciaries and budget owners and their staff during the annual planning and budgeting process
Project and allocate enterprise revenue and expense forecasts, coordinating with internal partners to ensure accurate projections
Present regular updates to the IDEA Texas Executive team and Finance Committee
Guide national, regional and school teams in meeting their financial targets
Ensure the Finance team produces high quality reporting and analysis that assists budget managers and support staff in understanding the impact of monthly and year-to-date budget to actuals, and other key financial performance indicators
Lead the Financial Planning and Analysis team to build and update rolling forecasts in partnership with school and regional leaders to ensure schools and regional budgets will meet annual operating income targets
Consult with schools and teams that are off track and provide actionable recommendations to improve financial performance
Partner with the Finance Services team to ensure high quality support, reference materials, and development options are available to financial managers
Lead the maintenance of long-term financial models for existing regions based on IDEA’s strategic plan, national expansion and program changes.
Support the development of mathematical, analytical, statistical constructs and models to understand the impact of operating across existing and new regions
Align financial model outcomes with annual budgeting and proforma processes
Train internal stakeholders (Executive Directors, Senior Leadership, Advancement Leadership, etc.) on the purposes and outcomes of regional financial models
Produce and maintain two-five year revenue and expense forecasts
Provide leadership and guidance to the Payroll team.
Ensure the annual payroll calendar is holistic and adapts to meet the evolvingneeds of the organization in any given fiscal year
Develop and manage necessary relationships with banking partners and payroll vendors to ensure smooth processing and exception resolution.
Ensure Payroll team has adequate resources and information to carry out essential duties in a timely and compliant manner.
Assist the Payroll team in resolving grievances that arise during the fiscal year. Human Assets and Finance Teams to develop annual work and payroll calendars
Review data and reporting regarding key metrics, develop a dashboard available to mangers to provide additional transparency and visibility to payroll accuracy
Strategically partner with other key stakeholders such as Accounting, Treasury, Grants, Staffing, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Information Systems and Financial Planning and Analysis to build understanding for shared Payroll responsibilities.
Strategically partner with other key stakeholders such as Accounting, Treasury, Grants, Staffing, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Information Systems and Financial Planning and Analysis to build understanding for shared Payroll responsibilities. Provide leadership and guidance to the Business Office Service and Support Team
Ensure exemplary customer support for on campus schools and operations partners
Work through teams to cascade implementation and policy changes to create consistency across campuses
Advise on professional development for national regional and campus teams
Develop relationships with counterparts in Schools, Academic Services, and Operations teams to resolve concerns and partner on program enhancements for the benefit of IDEA students.
Additional Duties:
Provide leadership and guidance to the Business Office Support Services Team:
Provide Strategic Direction: Ensure alignment with Finance and organizational goals; guide the Business Office Support Services leader in setting priorities and driving outcomes.
Monitor Performance Accountability: Track service metrics (e.g., Zendesk, customer satisfaction), review trends and team reports, and hold the team accountable to performance and compliance standards.
Strengthen Communication: Review and advise on strategic communication plans tied to annual milestones; ensure messaging is clear, proactive, and aligned with Finance leadership.
Foster Collaboration: Promote cross-functional collaboration—especially with HR Shared Services and Compensation—to improve the end-user experience and service delivery.
What You Bring – Competencies
Knowledge and Skills:
Skill in critical-thinking and problem-solving, along with the ability to perform during moments of ambiguity
Skill in organization, prioritization, follow through, and attention to detail
Ability to plan and conduct financial and management audits
Knowledge of state school finance and the willingness to learn other states education finance systems
Able to build strong relationships and mutually beneficial business partnerships through trust, empathy, and credibility
Able to manage and monitor multiple projects at once, often under pressure with competing priorities and tight turnarounds while maintaining composure, ensuring quality, and achieving results
Able to analyze and interpret data and statistics to identify trends, draw conclusions, and develop strategies and tactics that that yield results and achieve goals
Required experience:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, management, finance, business or another relevant field. Master of Accountancy or Business Administration preferred.
10 years of work experience with 5 years finance, accounting or auditing experience; preferably non-profit or educational setting
Mastery in MS Excel and proven experience in building and maintaining complex financial models required.
What We Offer:
Compensation Benefits:
Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $161,600 and $198,800, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Application process:
Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Learn more about IDEA
At IDEA the School Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values