Business Manager

About West End Day School (WEDS)

West End Day School (WEDS) is More Than A School it is a community of students, staff, and parents who have a shared vision. WEDS, a pioneer in the practice of social-emotional teaching, is an independent, special education school in New York City for 1st through 7th graders, with an upcoming expansion to the 8th grade in 2025-2026. Our mission centers on creating a safe haven for learning and fostering the development of resilience in children to build a strong foundation for their lifelong success. The foundation of our school is rooted in the belief that all behavior has meaning, and that how children feel impacts how they learn.

WEDS is striving to diversify its faculty and student body. We encourage people of color and members of other underrepresented groups to apply and join our community as we continue to grow and learn. We are deeply committed to equity, inclusion, social justice, compassion, and non-violence and seek candidates who share this commitment and strive to join us in celebrating and honoring differences. This loving school does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, age, socio-economic status, physical disability, or sexual orientation in any form. This is true for all hiring practices, privileges, administration of our education policies, admissions policies, and other school-related programming.

Position Overview

WEDS is seeking a hands-on, strategic School Business Manager to oversee all financial, human resources, and operational functions of the school. The Business Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the school while also championing a positive work environment and efficient operational practices. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the school, working closely with the Head of School, trustees and the administrative team to support our unique mission.

Key Responsibilities

Finance, Accounting and Strategic Planning:

• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the school’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and administrative leadership by providing monthly financial reports, including cash flow projections, financial forecasts, and tuition receivables updates.
• Foster transparency and trust regarding financial matters within the school community.
• Support planning and reporting for school expansion projects, including coordination with architects and vendors for middle school development.
• Lead the annual budget process and monitor performance throughout the year.
• Oversee the reconciliation of all accounts and monthly close process.
• Implement cost-effective measures while upholding educational quality and service standards.
• Serve as the liaison to auditors during the annual audit and Form 990 preparation.
• Ensure appropriate insurance coverage and risk management strategies.
• Maintain compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards, and building operation requirements.

Tuition Management:

• Serve as the system administrator for Blackbaud Tuition Management - setup, billing, deposits, and account oversight
• Monitor tuition receivables and provide monthly aging reports to school leadership and the Board
• Communicate directly with families regarding tuition payment plans and account status.

Tuition Reimbursement Support:

• Coordinate with special education attorneys and advocates to help facilitate families seeking reimbursement.
• Prepare tuition affidavits and other financial documents as required for due process proceedings.
• Serve as the primary school liaison for financial inquiries related to reimbursement matters.

Human Resources:

• Facilitate the onboarding and offboarding processes including employment letters, background and DOE fingerprinting checks, and collect all required documentation.
• Oversee bi-weekly payroll preparation and reconciliation of employee benefits (health, FSA, retirement plans, etc.).
• Work with HRIS provider to streamline and digitize HR functions, including employee self-service capabilities.
• Act as a trusted resource for employees, handling inquiries, and grievances in a fair and confidential manner.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, including job classification under FLSA and recordkeeping requirements.
• Collaborate with the Head of School to maintain and update employment policies and the Employee Handbook annually to maintain legal compliance and mitigate risks.

Operations and Facilities:

• Supervise and develop the building team, fostering a culture of high performance and professional growth.
• Coordinate effectively with other administrative departments to streamline operations.
• Manage and maintain school facilities, ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment.
• Manage facilities-related vendor contracts, including required inspections, maintenance, repairs and building upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Extensive experience in financial and operational management, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, budgeting, financial analysis, and HR administration.
• Independent school/special education or nonprofit experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Dedication to the mission and values of a specialized, small school setting.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• High ethical standards and integrity.
• Strong command of QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, and Blackbaud Tuition Management or other similar financial management software

Reporting Structure

This position reports directly to the Head of School.

Start Date

June 15, 2025, or sooner.

Compensation

This position's annual salary range is $120,000-$150,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package. West End Day School considers factors such as the candidate’s work experience and education/training when extending an offer. Benefits package includes summer vacations, holidays, personal/sick days, flexible spending account, health insurance after 90 days of employment, professional development opportunities, 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer contribution after 1 year of employment.

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