Chief Financial Officer

Company Description

KIPP Kansas City Public Schools is part of a nationwide network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. Our strength as a region serves as a catalyst for empowerment, change, and hope.

Founded in 2007, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools began with KIPP Endeavor Academy, serving approximately 31 fifth-grade students. Today, we educate approximately 1,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with our community continuing to expand. Together with families and communities, we strive to create joyful, academically excellent schools that equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen paths—whether college, career, or beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more just world.

Job Description

Position Overview:

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the financial steward of KIPP KC and is responsible for ensuring the fiscal health and sustainability of the network. The CFO will create, communicate, and execute the financial vision of KIPP KC, leading both short- and long-term financial planning and strategy in alignment with the organization’s mission. This includes overseeing budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and resource allocation to maximize impact for students and families. The CFO will be a part of an executive team that sets the strategic direction of the organization, ensures operational and academic alignment across all schools, and makes key decisions to drive student achievement and organizational health.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Serve as the chief financial strategist and a thought leader on all financial matters for KIPP KC. 

• Lead and implement KIPP KC’s long and short-range strategic planning efforts to develop multi-year business plans and budgets, evaluate progress of organizational activity against established goals and relevant benchmarks and ensure plans are revised as needed. 

• Lead financial modeling and scenario planning to support decision-making at the network and school levels. 

• Promote a culture of financial rigor, transparency, and accountability.

• Develop strong professional working relationships with the boards of directors, school leaders, and other key stakeholders.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Develop and implement an annual budgeting process for the region, including the strategic and appropriate use of federal funds, state funds, and other special funds. 

• Monitor cash flow, manage banking relationships, and ensure effective use of financial resources.

• Oversee the preparation of financial materials, metrics and communications to the executive team, budget owners, and boards of directors to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial and fundraising reporting. 

• Supervise all accounting operations, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and general ledger management.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and charter authorizer reporting regulations.

• Manage audits, financial policies, and internal controls to mitigate risk and ensure financial integrity.

Facility Support

• Provide advice and counsel around the planning and implementation of short- and long-term capital projects, identification of new potential revenue streams, and real estate planning.

• Provide financial oversight and guidance for real estate strategy and expansion planning.

• Partner with school and network leaders on facility financing, lease agreements, and capital improvement projects.

Team Leadership & Management: 

• Build and nurture a high performing, equitable and inclusive culture within the finance team and with teams across the network and in schools. 

• Manage one direct report

• Build systems and tools that support financial literacy and budget ownership across the organization.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of experience managing a high-performing finance team, with deep experience in budgeting, strategic forecasting, accounting, and compliance, preferably within a school system or government organization

• At least two years of network/district leadership, senior leadership, or chief-level leadership preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year institution in finance, accounting, or related field required; advanced degree, MBA, or CPA strongly preferred

• A proven track record of developing strong financi