Director of Budget & Analysis

Reports to: Chief Financial & Operating Officer 

Salary: Competitive Salary and Benefits

Location: Chicago, IL

WE ARE ACERO

Consistent with the strategic priorities of the Acero Schools, the Director of Budget & Analysis will lead and be responsible for developing, improving and maintaining the annual budget along with subsidiary and long term budgets.  

The Director of Budget & Analysis will create systems for developing the annual budget across all sources and uses of funds for Acero at both the school and the organizational level.  The Director of Budget & Analysis will report to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer and will work with the Acero leadership team, School Directors and network personnel on incorporating the strategic financial planning and analysis into an effective business model that most effectively and efficiently delivers resources to Acero students. 

Acero is committed to maintaining its network of schools and as such the Director of Budget & Analysis will model the long term sustainability of Acero and collaborate on matters of strategic and operational planning.

JOIN OUR TEAM 

• A team of problem solvers who find joy in developing solutions. 
• A team of compliance-driven individuals who contribute to, respect and serve in our communities. 
• A team who embodies the values of achievement, community, equity, resilience and optimism.

Process Ownership & Improvement

• Lead and own the development, documentation, and enhancement of core Finance Department processes, including: 
• Budget development
• Budget vs. Actuals (BvA) review cadence
• Purchasing, budgeting, and actuals (G/L) integration - prioritizing process design before system implementation

Budget Development

• Own and manage the complete budget development process:
• Collaborate with CEO & CF&OO on target-setting
• Develop enrollment-based financial models at the school and department levels
• Calculate projected revenues and conduct detailed compensation modeling
• including benefits, section counts, and break-even enrollment analysis

Budget Management & Reporting

• Lead full-cycle budget management in partnership with the Controller team
• Improve internal controls in collaboration with purchasing
• Design and implement dynamic BvA reporting and analytics, aligned with enrollment and revenue developments
• Provide stakeholders with timely and clear financial data to empower decision-making
• Reinstate and lead monthly budget meetings with principals and department heads
• Actively support and challenge budget owners on financial discipline 
• Use public tools (e.g., leaderboard to encourage performance
• Create tailored spending plans and purchasing restrictions for habitual budget over-spenders
• Serve as mid-level purchasing gatekeeper between CF&OO and procurement leads

Expense Reduction Initiatives

• Identify, analyze, and implement cost-saving strategies in partnership with the CF&OO
• Provide operational and analytical support to optimize expenditures

Capital Expenditures & Cash Flow

• Conduct regular capital expenditure reviews with internal stakeholders
• Provide proactive cash forecasting and develop dashboards tracking key financial metrics and unit economics
• Perform two-year retrospective analysis to improve the predictability of revenue and expense seasonality

Strategic Financial Planning

• Maintain and enhance long-term financial models in collaboration with external advisors (e.g., Afton)
• Lead capital allocation and ROI analysis to guide strategic investment decisions 
• Streamline financial modeling as the network moves toward consolidation 

Incentive-Based Compensation

• Support the CF&OO  in designing and implementing performance-based compensation frameworks

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor and coach finance team, members and cross-functional colleagues in:
• Financial analysis 
• Systems literacy
• Process improvement
• Stakeholder relationship management

Relationship Building & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic partner, advocate, and trusted advisor to internal stakeholders
• Build strong relationships with school and departmental leaders 

Additional Strategic Responsibilities

Expense Initiative Management:

• Provide direct support to CF&OO in identifying and implementing cost containment strategies

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Facilitate budget review meetings with school and department leaders 
• Identify financial risks and opportunities
• Prepare rolling forecasts and support the FY26 budget development process

Strategic Finance & Advisory Support 

• Provide counsel to the CF&OO on:
• Long-term financial planning
• FY25 resource allocation and efficiency 
• Executive and board-level reporting
• Collective bargaining strategies
• Facility lease evaluations
• Debt financing decisions

• Believe in our ability to create the future we envision. 
• Other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

• Education: Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree, with strong preference for candidates with MBA.
• At least five years of significant work experience with organizations as a Budget Director, Director of Finance, Grant Manager or equivalent with non-profit or education organizations strongly preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of fund based budget modeling in Excel and utilization of budget management systems (preferably Blackbaud) including import / export experience within the budget management system.
• Comprehensive understanding of how to develop financial models for sustainability and efficiency.
• Knowledge of education funding sources and the associated compliance requirements including but not limited to Title I, Title II, IDEA, SGSA and USDA Food Service.
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate a high level of responsibility and multiple priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fluid environment and with a wide range of constituents, including board members, school personnel and external reports.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States (required).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

At Acero Schools, we offer a competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain top talent.

BENEFITS SUMMARY:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all full time employees, including but not limited to Medical Insurance, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Short & Long-Term Disability, 401k & Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund.

COMPENSATION SUMMARY:

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The nature of the work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment, and the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Physical demands include the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, and walk around the classroom 60% of the day. In addition, candidates must be able to lift and/or push and pull 15 to 20 lbs. for short periods of time, and walk up and down stairs several times a day.

Majority of work is performed in a general office environment. Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization-sponsored events and meetings.

NOTE: The foregoing list of essential duties and responsibilities is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class.The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Acero Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals. Acero Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

www.aceroschools.org