Director of Finance

Seacoast Community School (SCS) is seeking a Director of Finance to work alongside our administrative team who strive to lead, inspire, and motivate teachers and staff to provide the highest quality educational programming for its 250 children and their families. The mission of Seacoast Community School is to provide nurturing care and exceptional education for all children of the Seacoast.

The Director of Finance will exemplify SCS’ core values in the community, support the advancement of the school’s strategic plan, oversee a budget of $3.2 million dollars annually, and ensure that SCS achieves its short and long term goals. The Director of Finance reports to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Support the vision and direction of SCS anchored in the mission, vision and values

• Emphasize the mission in all our work and ensure the school provides access to high quality education and care for all Seacoast families, including low-income families.
• Partner closely with program directors as they execute budgets overseeing the early childhood programs and school-aged program, PEAK (Program for Elementary Age Kids).
• Participate in the fundraising activities of the school, represent SCS in the community and build and steward funder/grantor and partner relationships.
• Actively work to ensure SCS programs integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles into its culture and practices.

Financial Oversight

• Build yearly budget through collaboration with other administrators, prior year data, and research of upcoming years expenditures. Monitor actual expenses relative to budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Work closely with the board Finance Committee including reporting, planning and executing meetings. In addition to attending full board meetings
• Month/year end closing and reconciliation
• Accounts Payable procedures, check production, and vendor relations.
• Accounts Receivable procedures including billing and collection activities.
• Manage all tuition billing with parents through our student information system. This could include working with the state on scholarship families.
• Manage SCS scholarship funds for families.
• Fulfill grant and compliance filing and reporting needs.
• Collaborate with outside vendor on annual financial audit.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrates experience collaborating and building a strong workplace culture.
• Values and demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills (listening, speaking, writing).
• Ability to be responsive to the evolving financial needs of the school and its constituents.
• A personal comfort and orientation to flexibility, adaptation, and continued learning.
• Leadership style that encourages and accepts feedback, demonstrates active listening, and builds trust among team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required
• Comparable financial experience preferred
• Strong understanding of GAAP and state scholarship requirements
• Proficient in Quickbooks and Excel
• Ability to work independently and is self motivated

About Seacoast Community School:

Seacoast Community School has been delivering on its mission to provide nurturing care and educational programs for all children of the Seacoast since its founding in 1967.

As a longstanding advocate for the importance of early education, we are passionate about ensuring that all children in our community have access to the highest quality education and care. Our commitment to excellence is no secret: We are the third largest licensed early learning center in New Hampshire, with over 260 children enrolled in our diverse educational and enrichment programs. These standards are reflected in the National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation of our Early Childhood Full Day Program, as well as the Licensed Plus certification of school-aged programs.

Our dedicated staff provide an unparalleled continuum of care for children from eight weeks to 12 years old, and often go over and above their job description to offer support for families. Our Early Childhood Education program and main offices are based at the Community Campus, a development located on 90 acres of natural land, as well as at The Meadows, a school created in partnership with the Portsmouth Housing Authority. Students at our Community Campus location have access to two outdoor playgrounds, outdoor classrooms, raised garden beds, and beautiful walking and fitness trails. Nutritious meals are cooked on-site and adhere to USDA guidelines. Our school-aged programs are housed in the local elementary schools throughout Portsmouth, as well as in Greenland’s Central School.