Chief Business Officer

Position Overview:

The Chief Business Officer (“CBO”) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the financial operations and strategic management of El Camino Real Alliance dba El Camino Real Charter High School (“ECRCHS” or the “School”), a high-performing charter school with a budget of approximately $40 million annually.  The CBO plays a critical role in driving financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the alignment of the School’s financial strategy with its long-term goals.  Reporting directly to the Executive Director with a dotted line to the ECRA Board of Directors, the CBO is a key advisor and trusted partner, working to create and maintain a solid financial foundation for the School’s growth and success.  

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Strategic Oversight:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive financial strategy that aligns with the school’s mission and long-term objectives.
• Lead the preparation, monitoring, and adjustment of the annual operating budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation across all departments and programs.
• Oversee the forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning process, providing data-driven insights to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Ensure strong financial stewardship by maintaining robust financial systems, controls, and compliance mechanisms, adhering to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and financing strategies, ensuring sufficient liquidity and financial reserves to meet both short- and long-term obligations.
• Responsible for reviewing the process of salary payments for all school employees and performing other duties related to payroll including tax deposits, external reporting, and third-party payments.
• Assist the coordination and implementation of the various employee benefits programs offered by the schools such as retirement and health benefit administration.
• Oversee all financial aspects of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) as implemented through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

Operational Oversight & Risk Management:

• Direct and manage non-academic operational functions, including procurement, payroll, and risk management.
• Oversee the school’s risk management strategy, including legal, insurance, and environmental considerations, ensuring a safe and compliant operational environment.
• Manage the accounting department and external financial service providers to ensure the timely and accurate preparation of financial reports and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Oversee year-end close procedures, audits, and tax filings, ensuring that all financial records are properly reconciled, and reports are submitted to regulatory authorities.
• Oversee outsourced Investment Manager, ensuring adherence to investment policies and that all investment strategies align with the school’s financial objectives and risk tolerance.
• Oversee ECRA’s cafeteria operations and reporting to CDE.

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between ECRCHS and key government agencies such as LACOE, CDE, IRS, EDD, and LAUSD, ensuring regulatory compliance and promptly addressing issues, audits, or reviews.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Board of Directors, external auditors, and other critical stakeholders, providing regular updates on financial performance, strategic initiatives, and fiscal health.

Strategic Financial Initiatives & Growth

• Identify and explore new revenue streams in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer, including facility rentals, development fundraising, student activities, and international student programs to diversify school income.
• Conduct financial feasibility studies for potential expansion projects and other capital initiatives, collaborating with consultants as needed to assess opportunities for growth.
• Implement financial systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency, cost control, and accountability across the organization.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the business office team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance that aligns with the school’s mission and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to shape and execute the school’s strategic priorities, ensuring financial considerations are incorporated into key decision-making processes.
• Oversee negotiations and collective bargaining discussions with employee groups, ensuring financial aspects are effectively communicated and managed.
• Prepare informational documents and report to support ECRCHS’ negotiations teams in collective bargaining with all groups; monitor, analyze, and report to the Executive Director and the Board information related to collective bargaining.
• Responsible for any additional duties, responsibilities, and functions as delegated by the School’s Executive Director.
• Maintain and grow network of financial executives.

Technical Skills:

Required Skills and Competencies:

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field is required.
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration is preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or equivalent is highly desired.
• Extensive experience in financial management and operational leadership, with a background in charter school finance and administration, public education, business and educational law
• Proven track record of success in managing large budgets, implementing strategic financial plans, and overseeing complex financial operations
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and direct staff and initiate and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate plans and policies and analyze and make sound recommendations on complex problems.
• Interest in and commitment to education reform.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test clearance is required
• Department of Justice (DOJ) Live Scan clearance is required

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• The CBO will be based on the ECRCHS campus, working in a fast-paced and dynamic school environment.
• The position requires collaboration with various departments and interaction with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders.
• While office work is the primary setting, periodic campus-wide engagements and occasional travel for external meetings may be required.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimal physical demands, however occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds may be required.
• Ability to work extended periods at a desk and travel around campus as needed.

Right to Revise:

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive, and additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned without prior written notice.  The school reserves the right to revise this job description as necessary, without advance notice. 

The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, nothing herein shall be construed as a contract for employment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.