Assistant Director of School Business Operations (2755)

The Natick Public Schools Seek an

Assistant Director of School Business Operations

Start Date: 7/1/2025

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools. 

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world. 

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Reporting to the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, the Assistant Director of Business Operations is responsible for the oversight and supervision of the business office functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and purchasing/procurement.  The Assistant Director of Business Operations has financial responsibility oversight of the school-based Medicaid program, student activity accounts, scholarship funds, grants (federal, state, and private) and cash capital funds.  In addition, the position oversees the school nutrition program and coordination with the contracted food service management company.

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Overall Operations:

• Supervise the Business Office functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing/procurement, facility rental, and payroll and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Natick Public Schools Business Office
• Assist the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations in the development of the annual operating and cash capital budgets including research and analysis of appropriate data for inclusion in the budget as well as compiling the budget document
• Stay well-informed about best practices and innovations in the management of public school finances and oversee compliance with state, town, and school district rules, regulations and policies
• Develop, review, and maintain up-to-date documentation of financial policies and procedures for use by school and department administrators and by internal business office staff; monitor for compliance
• Collaborate with key external partners including the Town of Natick and its departments, outside auditing firms, and state and federal agencies
• Oversee the facility rental program and ensure compliance with School Committee policies and procedures
• Provide training and support to district staff on all aspects of business operations 
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations and / or Superintendent of Schools

Financial Operations:

• Prepare and submit all state and federal required financial reports including the end-of-year financial report to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) 
• Prepare quarterly financial statements and assist with the preparation of information for all financial audits
• Review student activity accounts to ensure compliance with School Committee policy and best practices
• Assist the Assistant Superintendent in developing financial models for collective bargaining and generating costs of collective bargaining proposals, and contract language that encourages improved results and improved attendance rates
• Conducts an annual internal audit of some rotating school accounts to ensure account fidelity
• Perform any other tasks or assume such other responsibilities as directed by the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations

Grant Support:

• Serve as backup and provide some oversight and support to the Grants Manager/ Budget Analyst position fiscal agent for all state and federal grant programs; review and approve grant applications; coordinate grant submissions including requests for payments, amendments, and final reports.
• Provide Backup and be able to prepare monthly grant expenditure reports for the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations for all grant managers
• Maintain Federal System for Award Management (SAM) registration

Procurement:

• In conjunction with the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Town Procurement Officer,- ensure procurement compliance with state and federal procurement laws
• Review bid specifications, advertise to solicit responses to requests for proposals/invitations to bid in accordance with MGL 30B, 30, 39M, and 149. Ensures compliance with all Central Register requirements under MGL c 9, § 20A and Goods and Services requirements under MGL c 30B, § 5 & 6. 
• Seek qualified vendors and their contact information to be able to send bid specifications and 
• Reviews all requisitions submitted by school departments for purchase order accuracy, cost efficiency and proper accounting identification. Approves all Munis requisitions that meet MGL procurement thresholds or other thresholds determined by the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations.
• Manage the procurement and financial impact of school copier services and machines

School Nutrition Program:

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding the National School Lunch Program
• Support the Asst. Supt. With managing the Food Service Management Company (FSMC) bid process
• Prepare and submit annual application and compliance documents
• Review and process monthly invoices and meal claims provided by the FSMC
• Responsible for overseeing annual audits of the Food Service program, including DESE Procurement Review and Administrative Reviews
• Supervise the Free/Reduced Application process and verification process
• Communicate with families to manage negative account balances
• Oversight of broad sustainability practices within the food service program in conjunction with the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations

School Based Medicaid Program (SBMP):

• Provide financial information for school-based Medicaid program
• Manage revenue deposits and vendor payments for Medicaid program
• Maintain detailed records related to school-based Medicaid program

• Strong analytical aptitude, with an ability to see the big picture while maintaining impeccable attention to detail
• Licensed as a School Business Administrator or ability to become licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• Designation as Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) preferred or willing to work toward certification within the first year of employment
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting or public administration required, Master’s degree preferred
• Thorough knowledge of public-school finance, including knowledge of and state laws governing the financing of public schools, and a broad working knowledge of state funding for public education, accounting, municipal business practices and budget development
• Knowledge of MUNIS or related accounting financial management system
• Five or more years experience in budget, grants management and financial administration, including financial modeling, trend analysis, and forecasting.
• Advanced skill with standard computer applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and similar Google applications .
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop effective, collegial, and cooperative working relationships with all constituencies with the school community and municipal departments
• Ability to supervise staff and develop skills and teamwork within the School Business Office
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I) and fingerprints.

Evaluated by: Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations

Supervises: Payroll Coordinator, Accounts Payable Coordinator, and the Transportation and Facility Rental Coordinator 

Work Year: This position is a year-round, exempt, 12-month position. When required, attend meetings of the school committee, its subcommittees, and/or meetings in support of bargaining or negotiations, including occasional nights and/or weekends.

Salary/Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with qualifications and experience; individual contract.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and/or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands or arms, climb or balance and stoop. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to have the cognitive ability and focus to manage multiple detailed tasks at once with frequent interruptions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Work is performed in an educational environment. Majority of the work is performed in a moderately noisy office environment with frequent interruptions.

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews 
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.

Date Updated:  4/1/2025