Description

POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director, Finance provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for all financial and business operations of Vancouver Public Schools. Reporting directly to the Superintendent, this position ensures the District's long-term fiscal stability, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency through sound fiscal management, strategic planning, transparent communication, and collaborative leadership.
The Executive Director leads the District’s financial services division, including budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, revenue receipting, risk management, insurance programs, debt management, enrollment reporting, and program accounting. Working across all departments and schools, this leader aligns financial resources with District priorities to maximize resources for student learning while maintaining strong internal controls and public trust.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in MBA, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field; and/or CPA license. Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
Professional Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, and accounting.
Leadership Experience: Minimum of 5 years of successful administrative leadership in a school district or public agency.

Preferred Qualifications
Executive administrative experience in an organization with an operating budget exceeding $400 million.
Experience in public K-12 education, including school-level finance, building operations, or ASB financial management.
Extensive knowledge of WA State public school finance, governmental accounting, enrollment reporting, and levies.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES & EXPECTATIONS
Ethical Stewardship & Integrity: Models high personal motivation, honesty, integrity, and ethical decision-making while responsibly managing public resources.
Collaborative Leadership: Builds trust, open communication, and positive working relationships across Cabinet, school leaders, staff, bargaining units, and community stakeholders.
Equity & Inclusion: Advances the District’s Equity Policy by ensuring equitable allocation of financial resources, practicing cultural responsiveness, and supporting diverse student and staff populations.
Strategic Problem-Solving: Demonstrates strong analytical capabilities to navigate complex multi-funded budgets, anticipate organizational challenges, and drive creative, fiscally sound solutions.
Adaptability & Innovation: Fosters innovation, leads organizations through change, and routinely modernizes processes and systems for operational excellence and customer service.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Financial Leadership & Policy Development
Develop and implement short- and long-term financial plans, revenue strategies, and fiscal policies to preserve organizational health, sustainability, and stewardship of District resources.
Serve as primary advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Directors on financial affairs, legislative fiscal changes, and district debt/bond management policies.
Participate in negotiations and contracting for major initiatives, capital purchases, vendor agreements, and union employee contracts.

2. Budget Development, Forecasting, & Resource Allocation
Direct the preparation, administration, monitoring, and control of the District's General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service Fund, and all special purpose budgets.
Develop multi-year financial forecasts, cash-flow analyses, enrollment projections, and staffing allocation models in collaboration with Cabinet and school site leaders.
Formulate financial modeling, impact analyses, and data required for labor negotiations; assist in preparing and presenting the District's position during collective bargaining.
Assist school-site administrators with budget development/administration, position controls, and functional supervision over student body (ASB) funds.

3. Revenue, Levy, & Bond Management
Oversee local voter-approved levy planning (EP&O, Capital, Technology), establishing annual levy rate recommendations based on assessed property valuations and state funding formulas.
Ensure voter-approved levy and bond funds are budgeted, monitored, and expended in strict compliance with ballot language, state law, and Board policy.
Manage District debt policies, bond issuance structures, and capital financing strategies.

4. Financial Operations, Internal Controls, & Compliance
Provide executive management for accounting, budget, payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, grant accounting, cash management, and revenue receipting departments.
Direct financial management information systems (ERP/payroll/accounting platforms) to ensure data accuracy, encumbrance tracking, and timely disbursements.
Establish and maintain effective internal accounting controls, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local statutory requirements.
Coordinate state and independent financial audits, implementing corrective audit recommendations as needed.
Direct state attendance and enrollment reporting to secure accurate state funding distributions.

5. Risk Management, Systems Improvement, & Other Duties
Direct the District's risk management and insurance programs, analyzing claims, loss trends, and safety data to minimize organizational risk and control costs.
Evaluate financial, accounting, and payroll workflows regularly to drive automation, efficiency, modern best practices, and high-quality customer service.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate finance division leaders and staff, building a high-performing, collaborative team.
Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the focus of the position.
to which a person is applying.

SOC Code: 111011 

Benefits/Compensation:

2026-27 Contract: 241 days
Salary range: $219,553
Additional Compensation: positions may have additional pay provisions above what is represented on the salary range. 
Benefits: Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed information, including further eligibility criteria, can be found here.
Retirement: Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE. Detailed information can be found here.
Time Off: Includes paid time off, sick, personal, religious, military and bereavement leave.
Sick Leave: 8 hours per month 
Personal Leave: 3 days per year
Vacation: 20 Days per year