One City Schools
Overview
Join to apply for the
Chief Financial Officer
role at
One City Schools . This range is provided by One City Schools. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range
$130,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr
Position Summary
One City Schools is at a pivotal stage of growth and sustainability. We are seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to bring strategic vision, disciplined financial management, and the ability to serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors. The CFO will oversee one direct report (Bookkeeper) and manage outsourced accounting firms while developing a plan to transition finance functions in-house. The CFO will manage a consolidated operating budget of ~$13M and provide financial guidance across a complex, multi-entity structure (school, foundation, real estate holding companies, and additional affiliated entities that include a 501(c)4 and PAC), ensuring strong financial stewardship, transparency, and sustainability as the organization grows through 12th grade. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced financial leader to make a transformational impact in a mission-driven environment. The CFO will play a critical role in strengthening systems, building trust, and equipping leadership with the financial insights and tools needed to drive long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities Financial Strategy and Leadership
Serve as a thought partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board, translating financial data into actionable insights for decision-making. Lead development of a multi-year financial strategy, including scenario planning to guide tradeoffs and growth decisions. Proactively monitor funding trends, policy changes, and market conditions to anticipate risks and recommend solutions. Provide analysis and recommendations on investments, partnerships, and expansion initiatives.
Financial Management and Reporting
Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash monitoring, and multi-entity consolidations. Deliver accurate, timely financial statements, dashboards, and reports to the CEO, executive team, Board, Finance Committee, and external stakeholders. Strengthen systems to ensure compliance with state and federal agencies, as well as our school authorizer, and deliver clean and timely audits. Maintain strong systems to monitor cash flow, manage risks, and support decision-making in resource-constrained environments. Allocate resources efficiently to support academic excellence, operations, and expansion.
Systems and Processes
Develop a phased plan to transition finance/accounting functions in-house, reducing reliance on outsourced providers and laying the groundwork for ERP migration. Strengthen internal controls, financial documentation, and procurement systems to ensure expenditures are reviewed, competitively priced when appropriate, and aligned with budget priorities. Enhance financial processes across accounting, reporting, and compliance. Manage relationships with auditors, financial institutions, consultants, and outsourced providers to ensure smooth operations.
Team and Stakeholder Development
Lead and mentor a small but growing finance team, providing coaching and professional development to build capacity. Build financial acumen across the leadership team by facilitating budget vs. actuals reviews, regular cash flow discussions, and training on fiscal policies. Lead an inclusive budgeting process, ensuring budget managers own their areas and are accountable for staying on track. Partner across the organization to deliver high-quality financial services that support schools and operations.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role is best suited for a financial leader who thrives in an entrepreneurial, mission-driven environment: Strategic Partner:
Skilled at building trust with a visionary CEO and mission-driven executive team, serving as a trusted partner in navigating growth and tradeoffs. Financial Expert:
Deep experience in nonprofit or charter school finance (preferred), including budgeting, forecasting, audits, and compliance. Transformational Systems Leader:
Transform and strengthen financial operations by improving systems, processes, and procedures to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Communicator:
Transparent communicator, modeling high integrity and clarity with staff, board, and external partners. Equity-Driven Leader:
Committed to One City’s mission to close opportunity gaps and prepare all children for success.
Qualifications
BA/BS required; Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting preferred; CPA or MBA a plus. 10–15 years of progressive financial leadership, with 5+ years in a senior executive role, ideally in charter schools, public education, or complex nonprofits. Demonstrated success managing in cash-tight organizations and implementing systems for financial monitoring, forecasting, and accountability. Proven ability to build trust, manage up, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in QuickBooks Online, ERP systems, and advanced Excel; experience with payroll, grants, and budgeting tools. Humble, detail-oriented leader with strong interpersonal skills and a track record of building sustainable finance functions.
Compensation and Work Environment
Salary: $130,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits: Health, retirement, life insurance, long-term disability, and an Employee Assistance Plan Voluntary benefits: Supplemental life, accident, and short-term disability Generous time off (30+ days annually), including 18 PTO days, 12 holidays, and spring and winter breaks Perk: Age-eligible child admitted to an open seat at One City Schools; tuition-discounted childcare operated by One City Schools (space permitting), access to home-ownership program for first-time home buyers, and wealth-building and financial planning service In-office requirement: Daily at 1707 W. Broadway, Madison, WI 53713
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
One City is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a respectful, inclusive work environment for all team members and applicants.
How to Apply
One City has engaged
DGW Group
to lead the search for our CFO. We will accept rolling applications.
Job Details
Seniority level: Executive Employment type: Full-time Job function: Finance, Strategy/Planning, and Accounting/Auditing Industries: Non-profit Organizations, Primary and Secondary Education, and Education
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the
Chief Financial Officer
role at
One City Schools . This range is provided by One City Schools. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range
$130,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr
Position Summary
One City Schools is at a pivotal stage of growth and sustainability. We are seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to bring strategic vision, disciplined financial management, and the ability to serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors. The CFO will oversee one direct report (Bookkeeper) and manage outsourced accounting firms while developing a plan to transition finance functions in-house. The CFO will manage a consolidated operating budget of ~$13M and provide financial guidance across a complex, multi-entity structure (school, foundation, real estate holding companies, and additional affiliated entities that include a 501(c)4 and PAC), ensuring strong financial stewardship, transparency, and sustainability as the organization grows through 12th grade. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced financial leader to make a transformational impact in a mission-driven environment. The CFO will play a critical role in strengthening systems, building trust, and equipping leadership with the financial insights and tools needed to drive long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities Financial Strategy and Leadership
Serve as a thought partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board, translating financial data into actionable insights for decision-making. Lead development of a multi-year financial strategy, including scenario planning to guide tradeoffs and growth decisions. Proactively monitor funding trends, policy changes, and market conditions to anticipate risks and recommend solutions. Provide analysis and recommendations on investments, partnerships, and expansion initiatives.
Financial Management and Reporting
Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash monitoring, and multi-entity consolidations. Deliver accurate, timely financial statements, dashboards, and reports to the CEO, executive team, Board, Finance Committee, and external stakeholders. Strengthen systems to ensure compliance with state and federal agencies, as well as our school authorizer, and deliver clean and timely audits. Maintain strong systems to monitor cash flow, manage risks, and support decision-making in resource-constrained environments. Allocate resources efficiently to support academic excellence, operations, and expansion.
Systems and Processes
Develop a phased plan to transition finance/accounting functions in-house, reducing reliance on outsourced providers and laying the groundwork for ERP migration. Strengthen internal controls, financial documentation, and procurement systems to ensure expenditures are reviewed, competitively priced when appropriate, and aligned with budget priorities. Enhance financial processes across accounting, reporting, and compliance. Manage relationships with auditors, financial institutions, consultants, and outsourced providers to ensure smooth operations.
Team and Stakeholder Development
Lead and mentor a small but growing finance team, providing coaching and professional development to build capacity. Build financial acumen across the leadership team by facilitating budget vs. actuals reviews, regular cash flow discussions, and training on fiscal policies. Lead an inclusive budgeting process, ensuring budget managers own their areas and are accountable for staying on track. Partner across the organization to deliver high-quality financial services that support schools and operations.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role is best suited for a financial leader who thrives in an entrepreneurial, mission-driven environment: Strategic Partner:
Skilled at building trust with a visionary CEO and mission-driven executive team, serving as a trusted partner in navigating growth and tradeoffs. Financial Expert:
Deep experience in nonprofit or charter school finance (preferred), including budgeting, forecasting, audits, and compliance. Transformational Systems Leader:
Transform and strengthen financial operations by improving systems, processes, and procedures to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Communicator:
Transparent communicator, modeling high integrity and clarity with staff, board, and external partners. Equity-Driven Leader:
Committed to One City’s mission to close opportunity gaps and prepare all children for success.
Qualifications
BA/BS required; Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting preferred; CPA or MBA a plus. 10–15 years of progressive financial leadership, with 5+ years in a senior executive role, ideally in charter schools, public education, or complex nonprofits. Demonstrated success managing in cash-tight organizations and implementing systems for financial monitoring, forecasting, and accountability. Proven ability to build trust, manage up, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in QuickBooks Online, ERP systems, and advanced Excel; experience with payroll, grants, and budgeting tools. Humble, detail-oriented leader with strong interpersonal skills and a track record of building sustainable finance functions.
Compensation and Work Environment
Salary: $130,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits: Health, retirement, life insurance, long-term disability, and an Employee Assistance Plan Voluntary benefits: Supplemental life, accident, and short-term disability Generous time off (30+ days annually), including 18 PTO days, 12 holidays, and spring and winter breaks Perk: Age-eligible child admitted to an open seat at One City Schools; tuition-discounted childcare operated by One City Schools (space permitting), access to home-ownership program for first-time home buyers, and wealth-building and financial planning service In-office requirement: Daily at 1707 W. Broadway, Madison, WI 53713
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
One City is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a respectful, inclusive work environment for all team members and applicants.
How to Apply
One City has engaged
DGW Group
to lead the search for our CFO. We will accept rolling applications.
Job Details
Seniority level: Executive Employment type: Full-time Job function: Finance, Strategy/Planning, and Accounting/Auditing Industries: Non-profit Organizations, Primary and Secondary Education, and Education
#J-18808-Ljbffr