Director of Finance and Operations

Director of Finance and Operations

Looking for a higher calling? Romero Academies is seeking a passionate, mission-driven Director of Finance and Operations to support an independent school network in Cincinnati.

About Romero Academies

Romero Academies is an independent Catholic elementary school management organization based in Cincinnati, OH. Currently, the non-profit manages two PK - 8th grade schools – Resurrection School in Price Hill and Annunciation School in Clifton. Inspired by the words of St. Oscar Romero, our students will “aspire not to have more, but to be more,” and develop the virtue, knowledge, and academic skills necessary to thrive in a selective college preparatory high school, college, and beyond. In addition to investing in the students and facility, Romero Academies invests in its staff both via weekly check-ins, frequent professional development, and competitive compensation. For more information, you can visit our website at romeroacademies.org.

About Seton Education Partners

Seton Education Partners was co-founded in 2009 by KIPP Foundation pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García. Seton expands opportunities for parents in underserved communities to choose an academically excellent, character rich—and for those who seek it— vibrantly Catholic education for their children. As a national non-profit, Seton partners with (arch)dioceses and others across the country to implement innovative and sustainable new schooling models that bridge the best of Catholic education’s rich tradition with new possibilities. Seton currently serves nearly 3,000 educationally disadvantaged students across 9 schools and 3 cities nationwide. Across our schools, students post results that meet or exceed the nation’s highest performing urban schools. For more information on Seton Education Partners, visit www.setonpartners.org.

Position Summary:

The Director of Finance and Operations serves as a pivotal leader within Romero Academies, driving strategic decision-making and ensuring the effective management of financial and operational systems. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and collaborating closely with the Romero Board and school administrative teams, this role is responsible for fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders, including Board Members, financial partners, contractors, and vendors. The Director is instrumental in overseeing the organization’s financial health, operational excellence, and compliance across multiple areas, ensuring the schools operate smoothly and efficiently to serve students and families.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. They will manage financial activities in partnership with an outsourced financial management team, monitor budgets, and support the Executive Director in creating the annual budget. This role also oversees essential operational functions, including facilities, transportation, and cafeteria service. With a focus on collaboration, this individual will work closely with school administrators to ensure compliance, efficiency, and high standards of service delivery in all operational areas.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and dynamic professional to lead critical organizational functions, contribute to strategic growth, and make a meaningful impact on the success of the schools and the communities they serve.

Overall Leadership

• Act as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and Board, and contribute to the decision-making process with the Leadership Team.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Board Members, Leadership Team, bank contacts, auditors, contractors, insurance brokers, and vendors.

Financial

• Communicate and coordinate regularly with outsourced financial management company on all daily matters
• Build and run ad hoc financial reports as needed
• Monitor financial and business activities of the schools, including advising when schools are spending outside of budget
• Oversee management of financial platforms and user access, including Ramp.com and online banking
• Monitor all matters pertaining to Human Resources, including payroll approval, staff leaves, new hires, staff departures, benefit changes, etc. 
• Deposit all checks, including Ohio Ed Choice checks
• Receive and acknowledge all financial donations
• Participate in quarterly finance committee meetings
• Support the Executive Director in making the annual budget
• Assist, as necessary, with annual audit

Operations

• Collaborate with school administrators to ensure compliance with National School Lunch Program and maximization of federal food funding
• Manage facilities needs, including management of maintenance staff and oversight of repairs
• Oversee preschool and afterschool program compliance in accordance with state regulations
• Manage school facilities services, including maintenance, security, and custodial services
• Oversee transportation logistics, including regular communication with bus provider and enrollment manager
• Support student enrollment efforts, as needed

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s and Romero’s mission and values
• Personal responsibility with humility
• A relentless drive for excellence
• A strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• An unwavering determination to be better today than you were yesterday
• Openness to regular feedback and conversations about performance

The ideal candidate will bring experience, skills, and beliefs in the following areas:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, operations, business administration, educational leadership, business administration, or related field required
• 3+ years of financial or operational leadership experience, ideally in a school setting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a keen attention to detail
• Ability to organize and prioritize work
• Proven ability to effectively support, collaborate, and partner with a variety of personalities and working styles and an openness and generosity of spirit in navigating differences
• Project management expertise and the ability to drive efficiency and excellence in all aspects of work alongside and/or through others
• Optimistic self-starter with the ability to prioritize competing goals, exhibit flexibility, grace and sound judgment along with productive urgency in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and creative problem-solving skills
• Flexible and willing to perform other duties as assigned