Chief Financial Officer - Remote

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential.  We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer will manage Rocketship’s financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and accounting teams; ensuring Rocketship remains a model for financial operations among public school networks (charter and traditional districts) as well as is best in class in regards to fiscal stewardship and oversight of internal controls which are necessary to safeguard Rocketship's assets, and help Rocketship be one of the first charter management organizations to achieve financial self-sufficiency at scale, meaning it will operate solely on public dollars.  

The CFO will oversee nineteen finance professionals (ten in accounting, seven in finance, and two in payroll) with additional consultant and part-time support for several of the teams. The CFO position requires managerial experience as well as experience interacting effectively with executive leadership, school-level administrators, funders, donors and board members.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal Chief Financial Officer candidate will align with Rocketship’s Vision, Mission, Values as well as our DEI vision and ultimate goal of being a fully sustainable organization. The candidate will establish and lead a cohesive strategy/vision across FP&A and Accounting departments, and reinforce a positive culture within the teams to ensure Rocketship remains a model in public education. This leader will have a strong executive presence, excellent communication skills and a significant ability to motivate and influence others; they will have proven experience successfully managing diverse teams and realizing strong outcomes. The candidate should combine a capacity for systems-level and strategic thinking, careful attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills in building relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders as well as possess exceptional strategic management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of delivering on commitments through excellent execution. 

The ideal candidate for the Chief Financial Officer at Rocketship Public Schools is someone who has had financial leadership of an organization of similar scope and scale to that of Rocketship Public Schools, especially an organization that is multi-site and multi-regional and has operated in a highly regulated space with various revenue streams to navigate.  The CFO will be a strategic partner to Rocketship Public Schools Co-Founder & CEO, Preston Smith and someone who is not afraid to engage in challenging discussions and share his/her/their opinion based on personal and professional experience.  The successful CFO will gain the trust of the Rocketship Public Schools Board of Directors, Regional Boards, and various Business Committees, Network Executive Team and Functional Leaders, and the organization as a whole and instill confidence in Rocketship’s financial security and sustainability.  The CFO will be mission-driven with a tangible passion for ensuring Rocketship continues to provide life-changing opportunities for students of socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where we catalyze city-wide, sustaining transformation. The ideal CFO candidate has experience working in a dynamic, growing organization during a transformational phase - applying financial expertise to achieve sustainable change and growth.  He/She/They is entrepreneurial by nature and positively impacts both strategic and tactical initiatives by managing multiple projects at a time. The ideal CFO candidate identifies with, and appreciates the work of, every contributor across all levels of Rocketship Public Schools.  

Financial Management

• Implement sound financial processes and systems.
• Provide expert financial leadership and insight.
• Ensure compliance with fiscal policies, systems, and procedures.
• Manage cash, financing, debt facilities, and investments.
• Evaluate and enforce fiscal accountability.
• Maintain fiscal stewardship and oversight of internal controls to safeguard Rocketship's assets

Strategic Leadership

• Create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization.
• Serve as a strategic counselor and thought partner to the CEO and Network Executive Team.
• Contribute to setting the vision and strategic direction for the organization.

Strategic Planning and Budget

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and Business Committee(s) to maintain a strategic financial plan.
• Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting, and economic modeling.
• Own the annual budgeting process and develop a budget consistent with long-term goals.
• Assess the financial implications of potential strategic and growth alternatives.

Team Leadership

• Strong understanding and oversight of the accounting and payroll function
• Oversee training and support for regional, network, and school-based staff in financial operations.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Build strong relationships, maintain open lines of communication, and work effectively with peers, board members, and lenders.
• Successfully represent Rocketship’s financial needs, interests, and results with internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.