The Opportunity

The Phoenix Network is seeking an innovative and analytical problem solver as our Director of Finance who would serve a key role in supporting our school's daily functioning. The person in this role would serve in an organizational leadership position designed to ensure Phoenix operates a financially sustainable organization that continues to innovate to support our students. The Director of Finance will serve as a member of the Statewide team, leading the day-to-day financial operations and supporting Phoenix's financial strategy. This key position is an exciting and challenging opportunity for someone who likes to juggle multiple projects and can work with multiple stakeholders, and has exceptional operational skills.

Your Contribution

In addition to demonstrating the qualities of a Phoenix staff member, Director of Finance will be responsible for the following:

Specific Responsibilities

• Accounting
  • Daily oversight of accounts payable and receivable, account reconciliations, and other general
    accounting tasks, in collaboration with Phoenix staff accountant.
• Financial Reporting & Budgeting
  • Responsible for timely and accurate preparation of monthly financial reports.
  • Prepare ad-hoc financial reports, including financial modeling and grant reports.
  • Lead annual budget preparation in conjunction with senior leadership from each school &
    network.
• Grant Management
  • Ownership of end to end grant management cycle from grant application, budget development, monthly draw downs in EdGrants, related journal entries, grant reporting & compliance.
• Audit
  • Coordinate audit process and preparation of Form 990 and Form PC with external audit firm.
• Systems Assist
  • Ensure all financial systems are in sync and troubleshoot/problem solve as needed.
• Compliance
  • Prepare/review compliance reports required by state and federal funding sources.
• Payroll and Benefits
  • Oversees biweekly payroll process and annual benefit review.
  • Be primary manager of relationship with our external payroll and benefits provider.
• Other Support
  • Support schools in understanding of financial report updates.
  • Perform other related duties as requested.

What You’ll Bring

• Alignment to Phoenix's mission
• Degree in Accounting or related field; 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience; education experience preferred, particularly grant management
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, verbal, and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills
• Responsive to staff inquiries
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Can multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
• Experience with accounting & other systems; ADP, QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, Tallie, and EdGrants a huge plus Proficient in Microsoft Suite
• Desire to work and learn in a fast-paced environment

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Phoenix Charter Academy was founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels. While this mantra is typical of high-performing schools, particularly those in the charter sector, Phoenix truly endeavors to reach every student, focusing on a growing number on the margins of the traditional public district education system: students who have dropped out of high school, students who are parenting children of their own, students who are or have been involved with the juvenile justice system, students who are older and new to the country and cannot gain access to public schooling, and students who are under-credited relative to the number of years they have spent enrolled in high school. We believe that these students, like all students, are completely capable of developing the skills necessary to set themselves up for lifetimes of economic prosperity and success. We support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing them with the resources and mentoring that they need to reach their full potential.

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out of high school has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of their lifetime, an individual who drops out of high school is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.

Commitment to DEI

At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities.

At Phoenix, we aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups.

At Phoenix, we solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization.

At Phoenix we do not just accept difference - we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. We believe difference makes us stronger. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualities of Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering belief in our students - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints.
• Continuous Improvement - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more” and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Phoenix staff members embody “lifelong learner” mindsets and strive for constant improvement.

• Eager to Learn - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self-identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, their colleagues, and their students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society.

What You’ll Get
We want you to be the best you can so you’ll receive professional development, coaching,
and the resources needed for you to succeed. An open, curious, and celebratory culture that
embraces diversity as a leading asset and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity
groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice, and Equity
working group. Competitive market comp, medical, dental, vision, mental health, and
wellness plans, a 403b, and employee perks such as longevity bonus and pet insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. As such, we do not discriminate against any team member or candidate because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making reasonable accommodations necessary to support an individual's employment.

**The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**