Finance & Contract Management Specialist

Company Description

Finance & Contract Management Specialist

Position Overview

The Finance and Contract Management Analyst  will be responsible for the development and maintenance of an integrated system of financial services including accounting, budgeting, contract management, and policy development. This role will also support the review, analysis, evaluation of contract and vendor management programs.The position is supervised by the Director of Finance and reports to the VP of Finance.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission, vision, and equity statement.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

Equity Statement: KIPP St. Louis is committed to becoming an anti-racist and anti-sexist organization by confronting inequities, barriers, and oppressive policies and systems.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,600 students and at full growth, we will educate nearly 3,600 students and hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of two middle schools, three elementary schools, and a high school.

Job Description

Position type: Full time, 12 month exempt

We invite you to serve in the following capacities:

Finance Management

• Develop and deliver operational training on procurement, fundraising, purchase cards, requisitions, and travel logistics.

• Collaborate with the Finance Department to create training on budget management, travel, cash handling, and finance-related policies.

• Support schools in managing school-level budgets and ensure compliance with financial policies.

• Collect and analyze financial data to generate reports and maintain accurate records.

• Review funding documents for accuracy and recommend cost-saving measures.

• Analyze financial, procurement, and material data against standards and requirements.

• Plan and track tasks, milestones, and costs to ensure efficient program/project lifecycle management.

• Assist with financial transactions and resolve unusual financial issues.

• Research, identify, and coordinate corrective actions for financial discrepancies.

• Partner within the department  to manage fixed assets effectively.

Vendor and Procurement Management

• Reconcile purchasing programs, including Purchasing Cards, Amazon, and Staples Commercial Accounts.

• Advise staff on policies and procedures for procurement tools and oversee compliance.

• Develop and deliver training materials for onboarding and refresher training for staff.

• Collaborate with Operations to establish technical criteria for vendor evaluation related to goods and services.

Acquisitions & Contract Management

• Guide school and regional staff on purchasing procedures to ensure compliance.

• Audit purchase orders and workflows to maintain policy adherence.

• Educate staff on how effective use of purchase orders supports budget management.

• Oversee simplified purchasing procedures and ensure effective execution.

• Prepare and manage solicitations, Requests for Proposals (RFQs), awards, and contracts.

• Lead special projects as assigned.

This job posting/description may not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

What you bring to the table: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration; Master’s Preferred

• Three years work experience in education with operations/finance background

• At least 3 years of financial and contract management experience 

• Strong project management experience; strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Excellent organizational, planning and impl