Hamlin Robinson School

FINANCE AND BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Hamlin Robinson School, located in the North Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, is an independent, non-profit, accredited, state-approved, elementary and middle day school offering a comprehensive educational program to serve students with dyslexia and other language related difficulties. The Hamlin Robinson School core philosophy is that all children can reach their full potential given appropriate teaching methods and atmosphere.

Position:Finance and Business Director

Department:Administration

Reports to:Head of School

Job Classification:Full time, 12 month exempt position

POSITION SUMMARY

The Finance and Business Director reports directly to the Head of School and is responsible for carrying out the Hamlin Robinson School (HRS) mission within the business and operations areas. She/he will provide competent leadership and senior expertise in administering and coordinating the business support functions. She/he works closely with Board of Trustees committees such as Finance, Investment, and Facilities Committees. She/he will oversee all areas of financial compliance and will be responsible for providing excellent stewardship of the school’s fiscal and physical assets.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance and Risk Management

  • Oversee all aspects of financial transactions, reporting, and external auditing, ensuring the accuracy of financial data.
  • Staff and attend Board of Trustees Investment, Finance, and Facilities Committee meetings and attend full Board of Trustees meetings.
  • Ensure that the school has a long-range, strategic financial plan, adopted by the Board of Trustees, that reflects the school’s mission and guides the financial priorities of the school.
  • Provide leadership and direction to team members in the business office and related staff.
  • Oversee the school’s risk management and insurance programs, ensuring independent periodic review.
  • Manage the school’s real estate affairs; negotiate new leases or lease renewals.
  • Assist Head of School and Board Treasurer in the annual budget preparation and approval process.
  • Coordinate compliance reporting relating to school operations and debt management.
  • Serve, as directed by Head of School, on other committees related to short-term and long-range financial and operational planning.
  • Prepare monthly finance reports, including budget to actual, for Head of School, Board of Trustees, and others as needed.
  • Implement an effective cash management system that protects the assets of the school.
  • Review and maintain policies approved by the Board of Trustees related to financial aid, and/or alternative pricing models.
  • Manage and direct all activities to ensure satisfactory audit for the institution.
  • Oversee Investment Committee review of investment policy and execution.
  • Ensure that endowment funds are appropriately stewarded and invested in accordance with the school’s investment policy, donor intent, and applicable state and federal regulations.
  • Ensure that the school has appropriate human resources to deliver its programs, cultivating a high-performing workforce within available resources.
  • Ensure that financial policies and procedures are in compliance with all applicable regulations.
  • Review accounts receivable aging and collect past due balances.
  • Oversee AR, AP, and Payroll accounts including collection of overdue accounts.

Facilities

  • Work with Head of School and Facilities Coordinator to plan and budget facility maintenance; update long-term repair schedule.
  • Coordinate and oversee, and liaison with Board of Trustees all construction projects.
  • Ensure code compliance and proper permitting for all facility and property development and management.
  • Serve as school liaison with legal counsel on facilities related matters.
  • Ensure that the school provides and maintains facilities that support program and auxiliary purposes, providing a safe and welcoming environment.
  • With Head of School and Facilities Coordinator, oversee security and safety for campus and manage facility rentals for non-school related events on campus.
  • Identify opportunities to incorporate environmentally sustainable initiatives in facility operations.

Human Resources

  • Prepare employment agreements for faculty and staff.
  • Serve as employee benefit plan administrator; responsible for plan documents, employee enrollment, changes and terminations, and other business agreement management.
  • Be conversant with federal, state, and local laws relating to wage and hours regulations and reporting.
  • Maintain master employee database with other administrative departments.
  • Responsible for COBRA process.
  • Prepare reports for required employee surveys and for budget planning.
  • Responsible for State and Federal compliance reporting.
  • Serve as school liaison with legal counsel on employee related matters.
  • Update employee handbook on annual basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have most or all of the following qualifications and attributes. In addition, s/he must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in a deadline-oriented workplace. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, resilient, flexible, diplomatic, confident, patient, and possessed of a sense of humor and professional presence.

  • Master’s degree from an accredited educational institution. A CPA and/or MBA preferred.
  • Significant experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund accounting, compliance, and reporting. Ability to think strategically.
  • Extensive experience in finance, accounting, budgeting and program operations.
  • Knowledge of accounting, payroll, and HR software. Proficiency in the use of general office software, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skills using Microsoft Excel.
  • Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning; the ability to prepare financial reports, statements, and projections.
  • Basic familiarity with investments, including equities, fixed income, private equity, and hedge funds.
  • Substantial knowledge of federal and state financial and tax regulations.
  • Familiarity with current best practices in independent schools.
  • Ability to be flexible and balance priorities, schedules, and meetings and meet hard deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently in a multi-tasking environment, employing sound decision-making.
  • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills facilitating work with all school constituencies.
  • Enjoys being an active team member of an administrative team.

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities to meet the ongoing needs of the school.

Hamlin Robinson School is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Mission

Hamlin Robinson School ignites the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.

Vision

The world class educational program at Hamlin Robinson School is a catalyst for students to discover the joy of learning within a rich, comprehensive school experience.

Core Values

Respect: We show appreciation and acceptance for ourselves, our community, and our learning.

Responsibility: We show integrity and accountability for our choices.

Purpose: We show dedication and resolve through our actions.

Perseverance: We show commitment and resilience in all our endeavors.

S:\Administration\HUMAN RESOURCES\Job Descriptions\New Job Descriptions\Director of Business Finance

Updated: 12/3/15