IDEA Public Schools Careers

Director of Financial Modeling

Role Mission:

The Finance Team strives to support the leadership at IDEA as we work together to meet and exceed our ambitious financial and student achievement goals. As the Director of Financial Modeling, you will lead high-stakes work through significant partnership with and influence of senior internal leaders and external stakeholders on areas of technical expertise. You will be responsible for leading the development, improvement and maintenance of complex financial models across the organization for IDEA Public Schools (Texas operations) and IPS Enterprises, Inc. (non-Texas operations) by working collaboratively with all stakeholders to help execute the strategic financial vision for our growing organization. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

•          Lead the development of mathematical, analytical, statistical constructs and models to understand the impact of operating across existing and new regions.

•          Serve as a subject-matter expert on financial modeling functions and partner with senior leaders on special projects to support strategic decision-making.

•          Collaborate with financial planning team to align financial model outcomes with annual budgeting and proforma processes.

•          Train internal stakeholders on the purposes and outcomes of regional financial models.

•          Drive the development of key financial inputs based on regional regulatory and funding environment and nuances

•          Strategically partner with Human Assets to develop staffing and compensation models for long-term financial projections. Partner with other departments as needed to vet and align financial inputs.

•          Strategically assess new regions for financial viability and advise senior leaders on expansion plans.

•          Serve as a subject-matter expert on financial projections in key funder meetings and board meetings for new region expansion efforts.

•          Assess existing financial model structures and identify areas for strategic improvement.

•          Develop and update modeling methodologies based on industry best practices and integrate into existing financial models across all IDEA and IPS regions.

•          Educate key stakeholders on methodology improvements, including approach, rationale and impact.

•          Partner with Software Development and Financial Planning and Analysis to upgrade dashboards by including financial modeling outputs.

•          Maintain updated financial modeling information in dashboards.

•          Manage IDEA’s existing growth tracker and evolve the tracker into a new custom-created software solution.
 

Location:

National role: This is a full-time remote position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:    

 Up to 20% of the time during the busiest parts of the year. 

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

• Lead the maintenance of long-term financial models for existing regions based on IDEA’s strategic plan, national expansion and program changes.
• Develop financial models for new regions and regions under consideration across IDEA and IPS entities
• Develop financial models for all new regions that the Growth team identifies as viable in non-financial areas, such as governance structure, authorizer conditions, political environment, and philanthropic support. 
• Create a vision for long-term financial planning and financial modeling within the organization and drive the improvement of modeling methodologies across regions. 
• Lead the integration of financial modeling data into new and existing financial software and dashboards. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

•          Lead the development of mathematical, analytical, statistical constructs and models to understand the impact of operating across existing and new regions.

•          Serve as a subject-matter expert on financial modeling functions and partner with senior leaders on special projects to support strategic decision-making.

•          Collaborate with financial planning team to align financial model outcomes with annual budgeting and proforma processes.

•          Train internal stakeholders on the purposes and outcomes of regional financial models.

•          Drive the development of key financial inputs based on regional regulatory and funding environment and nuances

•          Strategically partner with Human Assets to develop staffing and compensation models for long-term financial projections. Partner with other departments as needed to vet and align financial inputs.

•          Strategically assess new regions for financial viability and advise senior leaders on expansion plans.

•          Serve as a subject-matter expert on financial projections in key funder meetings and board meetings for new region expansion efforts.

•          Assess existing financial model structures and identify areas for strategic improvement.

•          Develop and update modeling methodologies based on industry best practices and integrate into existing financial models across all IDEA and IPS regions

•          Educate key stakeholders on methodology improvements, including approach, rationale and impact.

•          Partner with Software Development and Financial Planning and Analysis to upgrade dashboards by including financial modeling outputs.

•          Maintain updated financial modeling information in dashboards.

•          Manage IDEA’s existing growth tracker and evolve the tracker into a new custom-created software solution.
 

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Sound Decisions: This leader is responsible for guiding the decision-making process within the team. They foster a collaborative environment where team members contribute to decision-making, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered and team consensus is built when appropriate.​  
• Manage Work and Teams: This leader is responsible for the overall performance and cohesion of their team. They build operating mechanisms, establish strategic plans, and implement project management systems that ensure that their team operates smoothly and achieves its targets.​ 
• Grow Self and Others: This individual takes an active role in their own development as well as the development of others. They use coaching techniques to help others identify growth opportunities, set development goals, and achieve their potential, all while continuing their own personal development journey.​ 
• Build Trust and Psychological Safety: This individual offers empathy and active listening to build deeper one-on-one relationships in their direct work with others. They are capable of coaching others and emphasizing importance of psychological safety in their interactions.​ 
• Communicate Deliberately:  This individual can express ideas clearly and listen actively. They have developing skills in empathetic listening and responsive speaking, with ability to tailor messages for individual direct reports or peers with the aim to build stronger, more effective relationships.​ 

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $98,200 and $115,900, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values