Job Title: Director, Finance Strategy and Execution
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Dept./School: Corporate
Position Summary:
At ResponsiveEd, every role exists to serve a singular purpose: providing hope for students. The Director, Finance Strategy and Execution advances that mission by ensuring the financial stewardship and operational discipline that make our educational options possible, sustainable, and scalable across the communities we serve.
Leads finance strategy and execution of department-wide and cross-functional initiatives. Oversees all aspects of initiatives as directed by the CFO, including those without clearly defined ownership. Identifies priorities, sets direction, assigns responsibilities, and monitors progress across complex initiatives to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Prepares reports and presents insights to executive leadership regarding progress, risks, and outcomes.
Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals in ambiguous and evolving environments. Performs a variety of tasks with a high degree of autonomy, creativity, and latitude. Must be able to manage multiple complex initiatives with many stakeholders and competing priorities in an organized manner that balances short-term compliance with long-term strategic transformation. Travel may be required up to 25% during peak periods.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
- Bachelor’s Degree (required)
- Masters Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- Experience leading cross-functional, enterprise-wide initiatives across multiple functions
- Experience operating in a project or program leadership capacity, driving complex initiatives from concept through execution
- Experience supporting executive leadership (e.g., CFO, COO, or equivalent), including exposure to strategic decision-making
- Experience in a school system, public sector, or non-profit finance environment preferred
- Experience working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with the ability to define priorities and drive outcomes independently
- Experience with personnel management or leading through influence across teams preferred
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of Texas public school finance, funding structures, and regulatory requirements (preferred)
- Advanced strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and translate complex challenges into actionable solutions
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence across functions without direct authority, building alignment and driving outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups
- Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise insights and recommendations
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a self-directed, fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities with sound judgment
- Ability to establish and leverage cross-functional relationships to accelerate decision-making, resolve issues, and drive organizational priorities
- Strong business acumen, with the ability to balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategic objectives
- Experience with data analysis and interpretation, with the ability to identify key insights and support data-driven decision-making
- Proficiency with organizational systems and tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office) and familiarity with financial systems, ERP platforms, and emerging technologies (including AI tools)
- Knowledge of project and program management principles, with the ability to apply them in complex, cross-functional environments
- Demonstrated ability in planning, prioritization, and execution across multiple initiatives and stakeholders
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including collaboration, conflict resolution, and the ability to navigate sensitive situations with discretion
- Maintains a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity in handling sensitive financial and organizational information
- Demonstrates an adaptive and flexible work style, with the ability to respond effectively to evolving priorities
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Supervises and develops finance administrator, while operating as an organizational leader through influence across finance and operational functions
- Leads the identification and execution of enterprise finance and cross-functional priorities, ensuring alignment with CFO priorities and organizational goals
- Defines initiative scope, priorities, timelines, and success measures, translating complex and ambiguous problems into structured, actionable plans
- Provides end-to-end leadership of initiatives, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to drive execution and achieve desired outcomes
- Manages multiple complex initiatives simultaneously with minimal oversight, proactively addressing risks, dependencies, and competing priorities
- Monitors progress and ensures delivery of key outcomes, maintaining accountability for timelines, quality, and impact
- Develops and delivers executive-level reporting and communications, clearly articulating progress, challenges, risks, and recommended solutions
- Builds and maintains strong cross-functional relationships, creating effective channels to disseminate information, gather feedback, and drive alignment
- Continuously evaluates and improves processes, tools, and ways of working to enhance efficiency, scalability, and organizational effectiveness
- Supports the design and continuous improvement of finance operating rhythms, including planning cycles, reporting, and executive cadences
- Supports alignment of financial systems and workflows to improve efficiency and support organizational needs
- Supports the development and reinforcement of financial controls, policies, and purchasing standards across the organization
- Leads and supports enterprise efforts such as AI integration across finance and operational workflows
- Serves as a strategic thought partner to the CFO, contributing to department and organizational priorities through insight, judgment, and problem-solving
- Synthesizes data and analysis into actionable insights, ensuring information is accurate, relevant, and effectively communicated to stakeholders
- Acts as a liaison across departments, representing the CFO and finance function to ensure clarity, alignment, and effective execution
- Leads finance executive and team meetings, driving productive discussion, alignment, and follow-through on key decisions
- Develops deep organizational knowledge to effectively navigate stakeholders and accelerate execution of finance priorities
- Performs other duties as assigned
Equipment Used:
All equipment required to perform jobs duties and tasks previously described.
Physical / Environmental Factors:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Responsive Education Solutions considers applicants for all positions without regards to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. ResponsiveEd is an Equal Opportunity Employer.