Director 2, Operating Partner - Finance & Accounting

JOB SUMMARY

The Director 2, SB 1882 Operating Partner – Accounting & Finance serves as HISD’s lead finance/accounting operator for SB 1882 partnership campuses and ensures sound financial stewardship, internal controls, compliance, transparency, and audit readiness across all partnership financial activity. This role acts as the primary finance counterpart to partnership leadership and campus administrators, ensuring accounting operations align with HISD policy, TEA requirements, performance contract expectations, and applicable federal/state compliance frameworks, while supporting campus-level autonomy and operational decision-making.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.        Partnership Financial Governance & Controls
Design, implement, and monitor internal control structures for SB 1882 partnership schools (segregation of duties, approvals, reconciliations, documentation standards).
Establish and enforce financial policies, procedures, and close calendars specific to partnership operations (including any SLAs for district-provided services).
Identify internal and external control gaps, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions; escalate material risks to CFOO/Controller.
2.        Accounting Operations & Monthly Close
Oversee end-to-end accounting processes for partnership activity, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
Ensure accurate coding and classification aligned to HISD’s chart of accounts and reporting structures; support any campus-specific reporting required by the performance contract.
Maintain documentation standards sufficient for internal/external audit, TEA review, and public transparency expectations.
3.        Budget Development, Forecasting, and Variance Management
Monitor annual and multi-year budget and forecast for SB 1882 partnership campuses.
Produce monthly/quarterly variance analyses and executive dashboards; translate findings into operational recommendations for campus and partnership leadership.
Partner with HISD Finance teams to align partnership budgets with district-wide fiscal planning and fund balance strategy.
4.        State/Federal Compliance and Reporting
Ensure partnership financial practices support TEA program requirements and the SB 1882 partnership structure, including readiness for benefits application documentation and performance contract reporting artifacts where applicable. 
Oversee compliance for restricted funds (grants, federal programs, philanthropy) including allowability, documentation, and reporting.
Coordinate PEIMS/finance alignment and other cross-functional reporting dependencies with district teams as needed.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

5.        Contract, Procurement, and Payment Oversight
Provide finance oversight for partnership contracting and purchasing workflows to ensure approvals, documentation, and payment support audit standards and HISD policy.
Review and advise on contract financial terms (payment schedules, deliverables, cost reasonableness, reconciliation requirements).
Monitor vendor performance financial compliance and resolve invoice/payment exceptions.
6.        Audit Readiness and External Partner Coordination
Serve as primary finance lead for partnership-related audits (district external audit, internal audit, program audits, grant audits).
Prepare schedules, supporting documentation, and management responses; ensure timely corrective actions.
Coordinate financial expectations and reporting with external operating entities where applicable (nonprofit, IHE, government entity, or charter partner).
7.        Stakeholder Management & Executive Communication
Act as the finance liaison between campus leaders, partnership boards (where applicable), and HISD executive leadership.
Provide clear, executive-ready briefings on financial performance, risks, and compliance posture.
Support partnership governance meetings with financial reporting and decision support.
8.        Other duties as assigned. (Note: No additional information is needed in this text box.)

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field
Master's Degree Preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

7+ years progressive accounting/finance experience, including:
Financial statement preparation and close
Internal controls and audit support
Budgeting/forecasting and variance analysis
Experience in public sector / school district finance (Texas preferred).

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Software
Oracle    
SAP    
Microsoft Office

Certifications/Licensure
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 

Equipment
Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier)

Deep knowledge of GAAP-based accounting operations, internal controls, and audit standards.
Strong command of budgeting, forecasting, and executive financial storytelling
Knowledge of TEA, FASRG, and GASB/FASB compliance
Ability to operate in a high-accountability environment with multiple stakeholders and time-sensitive deliverables.
High discretion, strong judgment, and ability to escalate issues with clear recommendations.
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Demonstrated track record of successfully leading and managing teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource allocation.
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth and impact.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
Ability to adapt to change and lead teams through organizational transitions.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices.
Strong ethical standards and integrity in decision-making.
Professional certifications or memberships relevant to the industry or leadership role are desirable.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs two or more levels of management in the development, deployment and ongoing management of key initiatives covering multiple major disciplines with direct accountability for results in terms of effectiveness, costs, methods, and employees. Establishes operational objectives and assignments for multiple disciplines/functional areas and possibly departments. Evaluates recommendations of others, deciding on course of action in ambiguous situations, and oversee the deployment of innovative solutions. Collaborates with senior leadership to develop strategies and broad departmental objectives; establishes methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people in the achievement of strategic objectives.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice, and feedback. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Compiles and organizes data and figures.
Analyzes and interprets data and figures.
Specifies requirements for a plan and/or budget.
Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
Approves budgets.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the organization causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies, or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interpret department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex and escalate customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.