Chief Operations and Financial Officer

The Chief Operations and Financial Officer serves as a member of the Superintendent’s executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership, oversight, and management of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s financial and operational functions. This position is responsible for developing and implementing the district budget, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship, strengthening operational systems, and aligning district resources with the strategic priorities of the Board of Education and Superintendent.

The position oversees financial planning, accounting, revenue management, procurement, facilities, transportation, nutrition services, information technology, risk management, and related operational functions. The Chief Operations and Financial Officer ensures compliance with Board policy, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Essential Job Functions

• Leads the development, implementation, monitoring, and communication of the district’s annual budget, including long-range financial planning, enrollment projections, revenue forecasting, expenditure analysis, and financial sustainability planning.
• Oversees accounting, financial reporting, revenue collection, budget controls, auditing, grant and contract budgeting, and fiscal compliance activities.
• Develops, recommends, and implements sound financial, budgeting, accounting, procurement, and operational policies, procedures, and systems.
• Establishes and maintains strong internal controls to safeguard district assets, ensure accurate financial reporting, and support responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Ensures accurate and timely financial reporting, analysis, monitoring, and communication to the Superintendent, Board of Education, district leadership, funding agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Provides oversight for district revenue collection, cashiering, deposits, financial assets, procurement systems, and related safeguards.
• Establishes and monitors internal control structures for school-based and district-level funds, including petty cash and other assigned accounts.
• Provides financial analysis and operational support related to collective bargaining, labor relations, workforce planning, and other district initiatives, as assigned.
• Provides strategic leadership for the district’s business and operational functions to ensure effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable use of public resources.
• Provides executive oversight and coordination for district operational departments, including accounting services, business services, purchasing and warehousing, facilities management, information technology, nutrition services, pupil transportation, risk management, and related functions.
• Identifies operational efficiencies, evaluates systems and practices, and leads continuous improvement efforts to improve service delivery, reduce costs where appropriate, and maximize resources in support of student learning.
• Utilizes financial, operational, and performance data to evaluate effectiveness, inform decision-making, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participates in districtwide strategic planning and organizational improvement efforts to ensure financial and operational resources support district priorities and student achievement.
• Promotes a culture of collaboration, service, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across district operations.
• Advises the Superintendent, Board of Education, school administrators, and department leaders on financial, budgetary, operational, policy, and compliance matters.
• Leads the development and implementation of district business and operational policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policy, and professional standards.
• Monitors federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, funding requirements, and compliance obligations related to school finance, public administration, procurement, risk management, and district operations.
• Represents the district with government agencies, funding agencies, auditors, employee organizations, community partners, vendors, media, and the public.
• Supports Board of Education decision-making through financial analysis, operational reporting, recommendations, and strategic planning information.