Director of Business Services - Vacancy ID: 226183

The Elkhorn Area School District is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Director of Business Services, effective July 1, 2025. As part of the district's administrative team, the Director of Business Services will report to the District Administrator and act as the chief financial and operations officer. This role involves planning, organizing, and executing the district's financial operations, as well as strategically managing its resources.

The Director will provide leadership and guidance in the areas of Human Resources, Buildings & Grounds, School Nutrition, purchasing, and risk management. The Director will interact with all district departments to ensure a culture of collaboration, alignment, and continuous improvement in service to the district’s students and employees.

This position is eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as generous paid time off (PTO) and more.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in School Business Management or related field
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Business Managers License (08) or ability to be licensed is required
• At least three (3) years of administrative and supervisory experience
• Demonstration of leadership in the development of policy and implementation of practice and resource allocation that has led to equitable outcomes for all students. 
• Ability to collaborate with others, highly organized, committed to superb customer service, excellent communication skills and strong background in time management
• Demonstrated personnel management skills
• Demonstrated effective communication/human relations skills with personnel and the general public 
• Demonstrated effective budget management
• Demonstrated effective needs forecasting and planning

Financial Planning & Budget Management

The Director of Business Services will work closely with the District Administrator to develop the budget calendar, prepare and oversee the annual budget, ensure sufficient cash is available to meet district financial obligations, ensure the availability of finance resources as needed, and develop long-range capital budgets. The Director of Business Services will also advise the Board on the short-term and long-term fiscal implications of budget decisions, present the budget at the Annual Meeting, apply legal requirements for budget adoption, including necessary/required postings, develop a financial model to monitor the school district’s financial health, develop multi-year forecasts, and analyze comparable data of other school districts.

Financial Services

Accounting & Reporting:

• Manage Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and Federal and State grant accounting
• Secure an external auditor, develop and implement an integrated purchasing process that complies with all government relations 

Purchasing & Materials Management:

• Develops and implements an integrated purchasing process that complies with all government regulations
• Adhere to strict code of purchasing and procurement ethics
• Administer district purchasing program to ensure materials are ordered, placed in service, and paid for in accordance with Board policy
• Maintain a program for the effective current and long-range acquisition, maintenance, and repair of equipment
• Prepare and/or supervise the preparation of bids and specifications as needed
• Develop and implement a system for the proper valuation, classification, and depreciation of fixed assets
• Develop and implement a system to adequately control and account for capital assets

Cash Management, Investments, and Debt Management:

• Administer District’s investment program
• Administer short-term and long-term debt, in accordance with Board policies and state/federal regulations
• With District Administrator, recommends professional advisors/contractors such as bond counsel, rating agencies, financial advisors, and underwriters
• Develops and recommends investment policies to include investment objectives such as maximizing investment income and preserving the investment principal
• Develops specifications for the selection of banking and other financial services
• Applies various methods of cash forecasting
• Applies appropriate types of short-term debt financing instruments available to school districts
• Analyzes the legal constraints and methods of issuing long-term general obligation bonds, including the bond rating process and the role of the bonding attorney and rating services
• Analyze the implications of arbitrage rules that may apply to the issuance of long-term general obligation bonds; provide for arbitrage payable when appropriate
• Prepares a cash flow analysis, including a fund balance report, for the board of education

Operations

Insurance & Risk Management

• Determine risk management needs of the district
• Employ insurance consultant to assist the district in risk management needs
• Maintain and update the implementation of a district-wide safety program
• Maintain district-wide security and emergency management plan
• Coordinate district security operations, when applicable
• Adhere to legal requirements for insurance coverage
• Maintain district’s property and liability, fleet, loss, errors, and omissions. unemployment, workers’ compensation, and student accident insurance
• Assess current insurance coverage and recommend any changes consistent with district needs
• File insurance claims when appropriate

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of school district functions and school finance
• Knowledge of principles of accounting and auditing
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to demonstrate effective organization and problem-solving skills
• Ability to be self-motivated, creative, and versatile
• Ability to handle confidential matters appropriately
• Ability to perform effectively and professionally in stressful situations

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment with the Elkhorn Area School District will be subject to a background check, physical and tuberculosis test, and illicit drug screening test.