Budget Director - 1.0 FTE - Budget Office

Posting Timeline

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is considered a minimum qualification requirement for PPS job applicants and this proof will be requested during the hiring process.

This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period. First review of applications will begin June 23, 2023.

Position Details

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District's focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice. To learn more about Portland Public Schools, please visit the District website: here

• Plan, direct, oversee and evaluate the work of professional, technical and support staff in preparing and maintaining the budget, grants, creating a long-term forecast, and supporting the District with financial analyses on critical decisions.
• Lead and manage the annual budget development process; prepare and present recommendations regarding the annual and biennium operating budgets across several funds.
• Analyze, monitor and report on expenditures in relation to authorized budgets; confer with authorized budget-holders and provide analytical and technical support to all divisions of the District regarding issues that impact the District's budget.
• Direct and monitor staff in the examination of budget and allocation requests on the full scope of budget issues for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures, regulations, and policies; evaluate and approve recommendations regarding needs and priorities of assigned budgets to determine where funds may be reduced and where additional funds may need to be requested; examine alternatives available to continue funding programs.
• Facilitate the compilation of statistical, fiscal, and program information for the formulation and administration of budgets and budgetary allocations.
• Coach and support the budget and grant team to identify opportunities to provide high-impact analysis and recommendations and that will help the District operate more efficiently and deliver on its established goals and objectives while meeting compliance standards.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Portland Public Schools strategic plan and equity initiatives by developing a thorough knowledge and application of them; participating in staff development, in-services and trainings related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and in K - 12 education; modeling appropriate behaviors; developing, recommending and implementing improvements to business practices with awareness and understanding of their impact in a racially and culturally diverse community.
• Participate and represent the District and/or lead meetings, workshops, seminars and in-services related to public agency budgeting and government financial services.
• Build relationships with peers in neighboring districts and at the State Department of Education in order to understand trends, policy analyses and any related insights.
• May serve as a District representative in collective bargaining and negotiations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• Five (5) years of experience developing, monitoring, analyzing and overseeing highly complex budgets in excess of $50 million in a full-service public agency or in the private sector
• Two years of supervising professional staff

• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Supervisory experience managing a team of 10 or more staff.
• A Masters degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience with financial software systems or ERPs in large complex organizations.
• Experience working in a richly diverse school district and or in a culturally & linguistically diverse environment and have respect for team and the communities we serve.
• Certification as a governmental budget administrator through GFOA, ASBO, AABPA, or CPA, or similar.

• Demonstrates flexibility and innovation when faced with ambiguity.
• Tenacity and a willingness to achieve the department and district mission.
• Experience with building collaborative, coordinated, and supportive relationships.
• Expertise in using Excel and Google Sheets to design pivot tables and other reports.
• Strong financial acumen in the schools context, such as understanding the distinction between General and Bond dollars, awareness of Federal grants, and understanding impact of enrollment, attendance and per pupil expenditures.

• Effectively coach, mentor and train staff, individually and collectively.
• Ability to motivate, influence and optimize senior leadership, stakeholders and peer groups.
• Experience and credibility as a leader in an environment where the ability to influence, work across a complex matrix, and build relationships is critical.
• Influences others without direct authority to achieve solutions to meet organizational objectives, and is proactive in providing solutions, resolving issues and overcoming hurdles to get results.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of District management, board members, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees, and the general public.