About Acero Schools
Established in 1998 Acero Schools (Acero) is a top-performing, top-ranking public charter school network in Chicago, with 15 schools ranging from Elementary to High School serving over 6500 annually.
Acero Schools seeks to celebrate the genius across the city and address educational needs in the Archer Heights, Avondale, Brighton Park, Gage Park, Galewood, Humboldt Park, Little Village, Pilson and Rogers Park neighborhoods. The Acero educational model is built from a foundational belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels. Acero emphasizes rigorous academic standards, college and career readiness, and a strong commitment to the success of its students.
Mission: Transforming minds through academic empowerment and success.
Vision: Provide educational opportunities that will launch the next generation of extraordinary life-long learners, discerners and doers.
The Acero curriculum is anchored in the Common Core standards. Acero is committed to supporting the ingenuity and creativity of teachers in providing standards-based instruction utilizing the most effective instructional resources available. Acero is committed to celebrating community engagement and the unique background all Acero students and staff members bring to the classroom.
By exploring academic content through the lenses of diverse experiences, students begin to evaluate their rich history, their place in modern-day American society and their roles as authors of a bright future. The network aims to prepare students for success beyond high school. This includes a focus on academic excellence as well as providing resources and guidance for college applications, financial aid, and career pathways.
Every aspect of learning and leadership at Acero is driven by the same core values:
- Achievement – We set goals and do what it takes to achieve them.
- Community – We contribute to, respect and serve in our communities.
- Equity – We respect and value the unique backgrounds of each scholar, family, caregiver and staff member and elevate the communities we serve.
- Resilience – We learn and grow through adversity and challenges.
- Optimism – We believe in our ability to create the future we envision.
For more information on Acero please visit their website at https://www.aceroschools.org/.
The Opportunity
Reporting to and partnering with Acero’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Rodriguez, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will have lead responsibility for all aspects of financial management for the network’s $115 million dollar budget, and for developing, improving and maintaining all of the financial systems and procedures of the organization. The CFO will be expected to create and maintain systems for managing all sources and uses of funds for Acero Schools at both the school and the organizational level.
The CFO will serve as a highly influential advisor and leader at Acero, participating in managing organizational transformation and enhancing a high-demand, results-driven finance culture that positions leaders across the organization for success.
This role serves as the organization’s senior financial position and is expected to provide leadership, coaching and direction to school leaders across the Acero Schools network in all matters pertaining to financial sustainability and strategy. The CFO will work with the Acero Schools leadership team, Principals and Board of Directors on strategic financial planning, analysis and business modeling in order to most effectively and efficiently deliver resources to Acero Schools students.
Critical to the success of the CFO are the following responsibilities:
- Lead the annual budget process and provide budget analysis and data (in conjunction with performance results) to the schools, leadership and the Board of Directors. Oversight of a comprehensive budget process which includes both the operational and capital budgets.
- Lead the creation and implementation of organization wide financial planning including oversight of investment policies and practices to ensure prudent and responsible management of the organization's assets.
- Provide leadership and oversight of Acero Schools’ compliance function assuring that the organization and each of its schools has the support to remain compliant with all authorizer, state and federal requirements.
- Oversee compensation and payroll. Ensure that employee welfare and interests are protected and preserved.
- Provide relationship management and strategic guidance to any and all external partners, especially as it relates to debt financing planning and lender relations.
- Hire, manage and develop all accounting and finance staff and provide cross-departmental collaboration to ensure that financial systems and solutions support Acero Schools and network compliance priorities.
- Establish and maintain sound financial policies, procedures, systems and controls for the organization ensuring long term sustainability and multi-year financial planning remain at the forefront of Acero’s fiscal strategy.
- Provide risk management analyses to ensure Acero Schools proactively reviews, anticipates and addresses potential risks of all kinds affecting the network and oversee the maintenance of appropriate insurance policies.
- Deliver timely reports, including dashboards, to the senior leadership and school leaders teams, Finance Committee, Board of Directors, Chicago Public Schools and other agencies.
- Review, analyze and attest to the accuracy of monthly income statements, balance sheet, cash flow projection and variance reports.
- Manage and execute year-end audits and work with external auditors to ensure clean financial audits with an unqualified opinion.
- Manage and oversee all treasury functions, including but not limited to, investments, bonds, capital funds, operating cash, credit cards and other negotiable instruments.
- Establish and maintain a fund accounting system that accurately tracks all funds, grants, programs and fundraising related contributions.
- Believe in the Acero mission and the ability to create the future Acero envisions.
Candidate Profile
The CFO of Acero Schools will have the following professional and personal skills, qualities, and characteristics:
Financial Expertise & Fiscal Strategy
This leader will:
- Demonstrate a keen adherence to financial oversight while remaining results-focused, adept at translating Acero’s overarching vision and strategy into a concise financial blueprint with measurable milestones.
- Bring a strong business acumen, with a sophisticated understanding of and ability to analyze and manage a complex and evolving fiscal organizational framework.
- Maintain a strong commitment to enhancing financial mechanisms and frameworks at Acero, with the ability to assess complex scenarios and present information in a compelling fashion, thereby facilitating the organization's development.
- Take a data-driven approach to decision making, while demonstrating a willingness to take calculated risks.
- Apply a robust analytical toolkit to offer guidance, coaching and direction to school leadership as they seek solutions for complex budgetary needs.
- Possess the ability to “deep dive” into the details while staying focused on the holistic financial health and sustainability of the organization.
Effective Communicator and Change Manager
This leader will:
- Be a clear communicator, capable of sharing direct and easy-to-understand tools and approaches to help improve financial processes and share information organization-wide that drives business transformation and organizational performance.
- Have strong communications skills with a keen ability to convey, both verbally and in writing, complex financial opportunities and risks, particularly in the midst of organizational growth.
- Display strategic thinking abilities and focus on processes; with demonstrated experience successfully using best-in-class financial methods in rapid or complex situations.
- Be skilled at solving problems using nuanced, informed, and lasting solutions. A leader who excels at putting new plans into action effectively and generating buy-in from necessary stakeholders.
- Effortlessly nurture trust and teamwork among team members while adeptly handling change with flexibility and composure.
- Have a track record of motivating and inspiring others to take action.
Collaborative Relationship Builder with a Commitment to DEI
This leader will:
- Have a collaborative, open, and inquisitive style that encourages innovation and thoughtful experimentation.
- Display a high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity, ensuring interactions and decision-making consider the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of employees and stakeholders.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to facilitate proactive communication and collaboration across all financial functions.
- Be an influential leader with ability to elevate the performance of the team – individually and collectively.
- Demonstrate a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment where all individuals feel valued, heard, and respected.
Passion for the Mission
This leader will:
- Bring a passion for education and student empowerment with a clear commitment to maximizing Acero’s impact.
- Be able to develop a powerful sense of shared purpose in others and motivate them to engage the opportunities and challenges ahead to support the organization’s development.
- Be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values — someone who can be trusted without reservation.
Compensation
The salary for this role is fixed at $182,000 with potential for an annual bonus. Acero provides comprehensive benefits including health, a retirement savings plan, generous time off and professional development.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role, please submit your materials by filling out our Talent Profile, linked here, or email acero@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
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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.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.