Business Clerk - IDEA Victory (26-27)

Business Clerk

Role Mission: Business Clerks act as the finance liaison from the Business Operations Team to the campus. They execute campus purchasing and work on finance projects and campus initiatives, including maintaining and presenting budgets, forecasting yearlong expenses, submitting contracts for legal approval per IPS processes, obtaining necessary approvals for purchases, procurement requisition and receival, campus supplies inventory, cash management, and support with field lessons and field trips.

Business Clerks offer expertise, solutions, and budget feedback to campus leaders, and work hand in hand with campus leaders, administrative coordinators, and other staff to support instructional and programmatic needs.

Location and Time: This is a full-time in-person position reporting to an IDEA campus daily, Monday Friday, typically from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., as determined in partnership with the manager and campus principal, with up to a 60-minute daily break.

Travel Expectations: This role has limited travel expectations that are limited to commuting to the regional office or a neighboring campus for department training, meetings, workshops, or campus support. Out of region travel may be expected for Summer Trainings, which are mandatory for the entire department.

Compensation: Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $16.96 for two (2) years of relevant experience and $21.20. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.

Other Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to eight (8) weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: Five (5) face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, generous vacation time, referral bonuses and professional development. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

What You'll Do Accountabilities

In this role you will:

Business Clerk are the subject matter experts related to IPS Business Operations on the campus. They must adhere to all IPS fiscal policies and IPS Business Operations procedures and best practices. The business clerk will also maintain and manage campus-level budget management systems, and ensure financial systems and procedures are executed with fidelity to meet budget targets, procurement timelines and compliance requirements.

Required experience:

• Education: HS Diploma or GED Required, Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in a school system or nonprofit; experience managing cross-functional projects and finances in a large, mission-driven organization preferred
• Experience working in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Procurement Strategy and Execution
  • Serve as the first and final steps for all campus procurement. Complete initial diligence and documentation to determine if further support is needed from the IPS Business Operations team.
  • Project manage procurement systems to accurately execute and track fundraising and campus activity funds.
  • Align with campus leadership on programmatic and operational priorities to forecast and manage campus budget for the school year. Coordinate and monitor campus-wide budget actuals across campus departments.
• Contracts and Due Diligence
  • Submit timely and accurate contract requests in coordination with campus team members. Coach campus colleagues to coordinate and submit timely, thorough and accurate contract requests through the business clerk.
  • Complete pricing due diligence (quote comparison per IPS Purchasing Policy).
  • Obtain necessary approvals prior to purchase request submission (IT, Branding, Risk Management).
  • Ensure campus procurement activity, including that requiring a contract and due diligence, occurs per the IPS fiscal policies.
• Cash Handling
  • Administer and lead IPS fundraising and cash handling procedures for operational compliance and excellence on campus.
  • Collect, reconcile, responsibly store, deposit, and manage the budget for all campus fundraising dollars.
• Campus Presence and Inventory Management
  • Lead with a professional, proactive approach
  • Receiving and distributing purchase deliveries.
  • Maintain storage closets and campus inventory audits data.
• Excellence in Execution
  • Meet deadlines and timelines set by IPS Business Operations Team or campus leaders.
  • Partner with administrative coordinator to execute campus initiatives.
  • May be asked to support regional procurement initiatives and support other IDEA campuses during high volume periods and/or as vacancies arise.

Expectations:

• Respond to emails and Microsoft Teams messages in a timely manner.
• Process accurate and timely purchase requests, contracts, and any additional prior approvals necessary to complete requisition requests.
• Participate in Operating Mechanisms (for example, weekly/biweekly check-ins, team collaborative tactical, weekly campus financial summaries, and others as assigned per business needs).
• Provide support and potential solutions that meet IPS Business Operations policies in all situations.
• Conduct yourself in both appearance and approach to others in a professional manner.
• Bring a team mindset and willingness to support the campus within reason, and as approved by manager.

What You Bring Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Effective time management and prioritization skills.
• Knowledge of educational processes.
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
• Proficient use of financial software, Microsoft Excel, and the broader Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to a high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students

About IDEA Public Schools

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K -12 public charter schools.

IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report's top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.

When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college