Director of Financial Services
Branford Public Schools, Branford, CT, United States
Position Summary
The Director of Financial Services is a senior finance leader within Branford Public Schools, responsible for directing and strengthening the District’s financial business functions. This role provides oversight of finance, accounts payable, grants management, and purchasing. The Director serves as the primary liaison to the Town Finance Department for day-to-day financial operations and the management of the shared financial software system, ensuring alignment and strong internal controls across entities.
The Director leads a dedicated and collaborative team that includes an Accounts Payable Coordinator, a Financial Analyst, and a shared Executive Assistant, with additional specialized services supported through external partners.
Professional Responsibilities Financial Management
Support the Chief Operating Officer with the development and management of the annual budget
Conduct financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to support strategic decision‑making
Ensure all funds are properly reconciled and accounted for, maintaining accurate records of all financial transactions
Lead the coordination and preparation for the District’s annual audits and required financial reporting
Oversee centralized financial management of student activities funds, ensuring proper accounting, reconciliation, and compliance with district policies and regulations
Provide guidance and support to school administrators and staff on managing and reporting student activities funds effectively
Manage the financial aspects of grants, including budgeting, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements and regulations, along with a collaborative team of grant managers
Oversee the financial management of the district’s food service fund and food service management company, including budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and reporting
Accounts Payable Supervision
Supervise the accounts payable function and implement robust internal controls to ensure compliance with district policies and procedures
Ensure accounts payable coordinates with vendors and resolve any payment disputes or discrepancies when escalated
Purchasing and Procurement
Oversee the district‑wide purchasing function and ensure financial activity complies with procurement policy and procedures
Coordinate the public bidding process for the district
With the COO, negotiate contracts and agreements
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
Strong knowledge of accounting principles, practices, budgeting, and financial reporting
Understanding of federal, state, and local finance laws and regulations
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access) and industry‑specific software programs
Excellent presentation skills, capable of clearly and concisely presenting financial information to governing bodies and the public
Ability to analyze costs, budgets, and other financial data, and to prepare comprehensive financial reports
Skilled in implementing and enforcing financial policies and procedures
Strong research and report writing abilities
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
Demonstrated public speaking skills for effective communication in various forums
Preferred experience with MUNIS, EFS, CSDE financial regulations, and school lunch fund management
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration, or related field and minimum of 5 years of related experience
Master’s degree preferred
Demonstrated experience managing Connecticut school finances preferred but not required; accounting experience preferred
License/Certification 085 School Business Administrator certification required, or eligibility to obtain within six months of hire.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, kneel/squat, bend/stoop, push, pull, and twist. There is regular intermittent exposure to computer screen. Performs duties in an office environment. Uses repetitive motions in operating office equipment, including keyboards, calculators, fax machines and copiers. Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds). Specific vision abilities required by this position include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Note This is a highly responsible role and the above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and responsibility. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Start Date: Immediately After Filled
Open Until: March 20, 2026
Interested candidates must complete the application online at www.branfordschools.org (Internal candidates should provide all the required information).
Bilingual English/Spanish candidates encouraged to apply. *Backfill position
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Director leads a dedicated and collaborative team that includes an Accounts Payable Coordinator, a Financial Analyst, and a shared Executive Assistant, with additional specialized services supported through external partners.
Professional Responsibilities Financial Management
Support the Chief Operating Officer with the development and management of the annual budget
Conduct financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to support strategic decision‑making
Ensure all funds are properly reconciled and accounted for, maintaining accurate records of all financial transactions
Lead the coordination and preparation for the District’s annual audits and required financial reporting
Oversee centralized financial management of student activities funds, ensuring proper accounting, reconciliation, and compliance with district policies and regulations
Provide guidance and support to school administrators and staff on managing and reporting student activities funds effectively
Manage the financial aspects of grants, including budgeting, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements and regulations, along with a collaborative team of grant managers
Oversee the financial management of the district’s food service fund and food service management company, including budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and reporting
Accounts Payable Supervision
Supervise the accounts payable function and implement robust internal controls to ensure compliance with district policies and procedures
Ensure accounts payable coordinates with vendors and resolve any payment disputes or discrepancies when escalated
Purchasing and Procurement
Oversee the district‑wide purchasing function and ensure financial activity complies with procurement policy and procedures
Coordinate the public bidding process for the district
With the COO, negotiate contracts and agreements
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
Strong knowledge of accounting principles, practices, budgeting, and financial reporting
Understanding of federal, state, and local finance laws and regulations
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access) and industry‑specific software programs
Excellent presentation skills, capable of clearly and concisely presenting financial information to governing bodies and the public
Ability to analyze costs, budgets, and other financial data, and to prepare comprehensive financial reports
Skilled in implementing and enforcing financial policies and procedures
Strong research and report writing abilities
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
Demonstrated public speaking skills for effective communication in various forums
Preferred experience with MUNIS, EFS, CSDE financial regulations, and school lunch fund management
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration, or related field and minimum of 5 years of related experience
Master’s degree preferred
Demonstrated experience managing Connecticut school finances preferred but not required; accounting experience preferred
License/Certification 085 School Business Administrator certification required, or eligibility to obtain within six months of hire.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, kneel/squat, bend/stoop, push, pull, and twist. There is regular intermittent exposure to computer screen. Performs duties in an office environment. Uses repetitive motions in operating office equipment, including keyboards, calculators, fax machines and copiers. Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds). Specific vision abilities required by this position include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Note This is a highly responsible role and the above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and responsibility. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Start Date: Immediately After Filled
Open Until: March 20, 2026
Interested candidates must complete the application online at www.branfordschools.org (Internal candidates should provide all the required information).
Bilingual English/Spanish candidates encouraged to apply. *Backfill position
#J-18808-Ljbffr