Director of Finance and Operations

PURPOSE/GOALS:

Reporting to the Head of School and serving as an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Finance and Operations provides leadership and management to ensure The Schenck School and the Dyslexia Resource have the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and systems in place to help ensure the School’s financial strength, operating efficiency, and risk mitigation.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITY:

To ensure the fiscal and operational effectiveness of the organizations and support and enhance their missions, including but not limited to:

• Serving as a high-level strategic advisor and partner to the head of school on fiscal, facilities, property, risk and administrative matters
• Providing counsel to the board of trustees with regards to finance, investments, audit & risk, faculty compensation and facilities, and serving on the long range planning committee and others as needed
• Directing and managing the School’s general business function, including budget preparation, financial reporting, accounting, payroll, general ledger, payables, receivables, investments, insurance, coordination with legal representatives and human resources
• Overseeing the general supervision of transportation, buildings, grounds, housekeeping, food services, and security. Playing a lead role in long-range planning and facilities planning, including creating financial and operational models that balance current reality and future aspirations
• Oversee the accounting staff and ensure the use of generally accepted accounting principles and the maintenance of appropriate financial records
• Keep an accurate continuous record of the cash and financial position of the organizations
• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Head, Board of Trustees, and budget centers
• Approve all financial obligations, execute leases, loans, contracts and other transactions requiring a commitment of financial resources
• Maintain relationships with financial institutions in conjunction with the Head of School including but not limited to banking, loan, lease, and investment relationships
• Develop and maintain an integrated, automated financial management information system
• Ensure an effective and efficient system of internal management controls, policies, and procedures
• Prepare reports and provide leadership during the financial aid decision making process
• Manage institutional risk of faculty, staff and students
• Ensure that adequate, appropriate, and cost effective employee health, property and liability insurance is in force
• Coordinate planning, execution, and financing of major construction projects at the discretion of the Head
• Ensure timely completion of Form 990, Form 5500 and other required tax returns
• Ensure compliance with federal and state government agencies
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School

MAIN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Head of School, Board of Trustees, Faculty, Staff, Vendors, Parents, Professional Contacts

The Schenck School

The Schenck School, located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, GA, is widely regarded as one of the best independent elementary schools in the nation for students with dyslexia. The school provides a unique accelerated remediation model based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, ensuring students receive the individualized and targeted support they need to reach their full potential. As such, a student’s average tenure at the school is two to three years before transitioning back into a traditional academic program.

• The Schenck School is in its 61st year, making it the oldest elementary school of its kind in the United States.
• The school serves 250 students in grades K-6 with an average classroom consisting of two highly trained teachers and ten students.
• In addition to music, art, physical education, library and other enrichment classes, the program includes occupational and speech and language therapies for qualifying students.
• Qualified applicants for the program far exceed available spots and the school consistently runs a healthy waitlist.
• The school benefits from a sizable endowment for a school of its size and a diverse and generous base of support.
• The School is funded through tuition and donor support. It does not receive federal or state funding.

The Dyslexia Resource

The Dyslexia Resource (DR) is a not-for-profit created and governed by The Schenck School with a mission to empower communities to serve dyslexic learners. It was started in response to the overwhelming demand for The Schenck School’s services and in recognition of the hundreds of thousands of dyslexic learners going unrecognized and unsupported nationwide. The Dyslexia Resource was formed in 2014, and though still operating as a start-up, has already made a tremendous impact. TDR primarily channels its work through tutoring, training and education.

• Since 2017, The Dyslexia Resource has trained thousands of teachers from around the country, including most recently, hundreds of Atlanta Public School (APS) teachers.
• In the last three years, the DR has provided direct remediation services to hundreds of students in two of Atlanta’s most impoverished neighborhoods.
• The DR has a global reach through its online webinars and dyslexia awareness partnership with Made By Dyslexia and Microsoft.
• The day-to-day operations of the DR is led by its Operations Manager who reports directly to the Head of School; its finances are led by the Director of Finance and Operations.

The Schenck School / Dyslexia Resource provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, The Schenck School / Dyslexia Resource complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The Schenck School /Dyslexia Resource expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of the School’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.