ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing, middle and high schools that educate nearly 13,000 scholars who make up the heart of Los Angeles’ Latinx, Black, and recent immigrant communities. Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S. Department of Education, and the California Department of Education. Since opening our first school in 2004, 95% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school. We strive to uplift our scholars and their communities by fostering unparalleled educational opportunities that encourage scholarly thought, resilient learning, powerful communication, mind-body wellness, and community advocacy. To learn more, visit www.LAalliance.org.

ROLE SUMMARY
The Manager, Strategic Initiatives (MSI) provides direct support to the Chief Financial Officer in ensuring that Alliance’s Accounting and Finance Team provides high-value services and supports to our schools and meets the requirements of authorizers, funders, lenders, and other external parties. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the MSI is responsible for leading and implementing key initiatives across the Accounting and Finance Team. The MSI works closely with the Accounting and Finance Leadership Team, and acts as a point of contact between organization leadership, department team members, and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate for this position will be a strong project manager with a proven track record in navigating complex, multi-level challenges, an ability to manage myriad stakeholder relationships, and an aptitude for identifying and addressing diverse needs. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced professional to take a leadership role in helping Alliance achieve our mission of ensuring equity and excellence for scholars in Los Angeles.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES  
Project Management

• Manage and lead key strategic projects in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and other team leaders to support Alliance’s organizational priority initiatives.

• Project manage cross-functional work, including managing annual audits and the school budgeting process, especially those requiring rapid-response or other issue resolution; develop project plans, track milestones, and conduct data analyses to support departmental decision-making. 

• Perform analysis and strategic consultation on Accounting and Finance-related issues impacting the organization. Prepare briefings, memos, or presentations to communicate findings to the Chief Financial Officer and Accounting and Finance Leadership Team. 

• Coordinate to support departmental initiatives, including tracking deliverables and managing team fiscal responsibilities, including managing department credit card, facilitating Coupa requirements, etc. 

Coordination and Support

• Support the Accounting and Finance Team with cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, and strategic problem-solving as needed. 

• Support the Accounting and Finance Leadership Team through facilitation of regular meetings, tracking progress against department goals and network-wide priorities, and manage follow-ups to key actions and decisions.

• Manage monthly Accounting and Finance Team meetings, annual outings/retreats, and other critical meetings. This includes creating the content; developing agendas, memos, presentation decks, facilitation notes, and communications to participants, facilitating select activities, and managing follow-up to key actions and decisions. 

• Work with the Chief Financial Officer to implement initiatives to enhance and strengthen team culture. 

• Attend the Accounting and Finance Leadership Team meetings as needed to support with departmental coordination.

• Support the Accounting and Finance Leadership Team in documenting critical processes and developing training materials for department team members. 

• Coordinate logistics for recruitment activities, including scheduling interviews, preparing materials, and supporting onboarding of new team members.

• Develop and distribute clear and timely communications related to team projects and initiatives, ensuring internal/external deadlines are included in appropriate communications tools, including the weekly Operations, Principal, and Home Office Newsletters.

• Perform other duties a