Director of School Finance

Department: Data, Operations & Finance
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Washington, DC

About DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB)

Every day, we're doing the work to ensure that 44,000+ public charter school students, families, and communities receive a quality education that makes them feel valued and prepared for lifelong learning, fulfilling careers, and economic security. DC PCSB is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. Our mission, vision, values, and work are rooted in the principle of ensuring that every DC student has access to a quality education.

About the Role

The Director of School Finance provides senior-level strategic leadership for DC PCSB's financial oversight of public charter schools. This role is accountable for rigorous financial analysis, sound judgment, and the direction of the agency's school finance oversight strategy. The Director serves as a senior thought partner to the Chief Operating Officer.

This role leads the School Finance team, translates complex financial information into clear, decision-ready recommendations, and ensures that oversight activities are aligned with policies and decision-oriented. This position does not manage DC PCSB's internal agency finances.

Competencies

People Leader Competencies:

• Unifying & Considerate Leadership Practices
• Set Clear Expectations
• Set & Monitor Progress to Goals
• Manage up and cross peers and departments
• Give and Receive Feedback
• Create Opportunities for Continuous Growth & Development

Core Competencies (All Staff):

• Relationship Management
• Decision Making & Problem Solving
• Communication & Influence
• Organizational Efficiency

Job-Specific Technical & Strategic Competencies:

• GAAP Accounting Practices
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Oversight for Schools
• Finance Risk Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Public Speaking

Core Responsibilities

Financial Oversight & Risk Management

• Lead the assessment and monitoring of school-level financial health across the charter portfolio
• Apply financial risk thresholds to determine appropriate levels of monitoring, escalation, or intervention
• Distinguish between technical noncompliance and material financial distress using professional judgment
• Oversee Financial Corrective Action Plans when needed, balancing accountability and support
• Anticipate financial risks and guide proactive mitigation strategies

Strategic Analysis & Decision Support

• Provide decision-ready recommendations to the COO and senior leadership on complex or high-risk financial matters
• Synthesize analysis into actionable guidance rather than preliminary findings
• Apply organizational, political, and operational context when framing recommendations
• Support high-stakes authorizing decisions, including charter applications, renewals, expansions, and closures

Strategic Leadership & Direction

• Set and refine DC PCSB's school finance oversight strategy in response to emerging risk and portfolio trends
• Prioritize oversight attention based on risk and materiality rather than a uniform approach to schools
• Anticipate second- and third-order impacts of financial oversight decisions
• Elevate and frame complex issues for executive and Board-level discussion

Team Leadership & Execution

• Establish clear strategic priorities and decision-making frameworks for the School Finance team
• Develop staff judgment, ownership, and communication skills to support independent, aligned work

Communication & Coordination

• Communicate financial risk and oversight decisions with appropriate care and judgment
• Coordinate with schools, auditors, lenders, and internal partners as needed
• Pause and elevate issues with political, public, or Board-level implications for executive review
• Ensure appropriate circulation and alignment on medium and high-stakes financial decisions

Preferred Background

• Experience with public charter school finance strongly preferred
• Background in accounting, finance, or a related field
• Advanced degree or professional credential valued but not required if offset by relevant experience and demonstrated judgment

What Success Looks Like

• School financial risks are identified and addressed proactively
• Leadership receives clear, context-aware recommendations
• The School Finance team operates with strong ownership and follow-through
• Oversight decisions are timely, consistent, and well-calibrated

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $146,562 - $177,238. DC PCSB offers a comprehensive benefits plan covering 100% of the employee's insurance premium. DC PCSB offers a generous telecommuting policy with 3 in-office days per week. If you're employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program.