Director of Finance & Operations

About the Schools Fund

The mission of the Berkeley Public Schools Fund (the Schools Fund) is to champion equitable public education for students, families and our community.

The Schools Fund is a small non-profit (currently 8 employees) that supports the Berkeley Unified School District, a medium-sized district with a diverse population of 10,000 students and 20 schools, through equity-focused programming. Our work centers students’ essential needs, safety and belonging, and love of learning through 4 core programs: educator grants, district-wide volunteer programs, STEM programming, and fiscal sponsorships.

The Schools Fund staff and board are deeply committed to reducing disparities in educational experiences and outcomes in Berkeley public schools.

About the Position

The 0.8 FTE (32 hours/week) Director of Finance & Operations is a key member of the leadership of the Berkeley Public Schools Fund. Primary responsibilities include:

Finance

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board Finance Committee to steward the financial health of the organization
• Manage day-to-day finances of the organization with the support of the Development & Finance Associate (DFA)
• Prepare, share, and present monthly/quarterly financial statements and updated projections at monthly Finance Committee (FC) meetings and Board meetings, as well as to staff
• Partner with ED to lead the annual budget process, ultimately creating and monitoring a balanced budget (with a focus on unrestricted funds)
• Collaborate with the Development Team to make sure Dev & Fin systems are reconciled
• Collaborate with Program Team & BUSD partners (HR, Business Services & Labor Unions) to manage Grant funds, Restricted funds & STEM funds
• Supervise Finance & Development Associate (FDA) and align role responsibilities to ensure internal financial controls
• Partner with external financial planning consulting firm to steward organizational investments
• Manage all BUSD-related and external 3rd party contracts & MOUs for the organization
• Manage 2 payroll systems: 1) for Schools Fund staff & 2) for BUSD employees paid by the Schools Fund
• File all required federal and state tax forms (including 990, 199, RRF-1, W-2s, 1099s)
• Lead the organization through a financial audit (if revenue exceeds $2M)

Development

• To ensure internal controls, support key aspects of gift entry in partnership with FDA (picking up mail, entering donations/sponsorships, workplace giving, acknowledgements, adding transactions into Quickbooks)
• Support FDA during heavy-fundraising times

Operations - Human Resources

• Onboard & offboard employees, checking and filing all federal and state forms as required, and staying on top of labor laws (with support of HR consultant)
• Support personnel issues as needed w/ ED & HR consultant
• Manage benefits (including health insurance plans, open enrollment, and 401K)

Operations - Other

• Maintain liability and workers comp insurance policies
• Purchase and maintain office equipment (hardware, software/licensing) as needed with support from the DFA
• Train staff and provide support as needed on hardware & software
• Coordinate logistics and maintenance of shared systems with BUSD and other consultants as needed
• Occasionally work outside of normal business hours as needed (calendar and fiscal year-end, board meetings, special events)
• Help coordinate, plan, & execute events as needed, including but not limited to: Principals Reception, Impact Showcase, Spring Luncheon
• Provide thought partnership and facilitation support to ED in the planning of monthly team meetings and biannual team retreats
• Provide support to ED and other staff as needed

Required Qualifications

• Deeply aligned with the Schools Fund’s mission of equitable public schools
• Minimum 3 years of experience (or 5+ years of progressively responsible experience) as Director of Finance and Operations or equivalent position at a non-profit with a budget around $2M
• Minimum 5 years of experience supervising staff
• Expertise in using QuickBooks Online, accrual method
• Thorough knowledge of GAAP, payroll procedures, HR procedures, 990 filing, all nonprofit tax requirements
• Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities at the same time
• Demonstrated ability to lead planning and budgeting processes in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for diverse audiences
• Ability to adopt new systems quickly and with accuracy
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and follow through, including ability to read written instructions and execute with precision
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with a financial audit
• Comfortable and effective at self-managing
• Comfortable and capable working in collaboration
• Demonstrated flexibility in dynamic work environments
• Familiarity with any of the following (all of which are used in this role):
  • General - Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, Box
  • Finance - QuickBooks Online, Stripe, PayPal, Track1099
  • Website - WordPress, Gravity Forms
  • Database/Fundraising - Salesforce CRM, Make, Qgiv, Give Lively, other donation portals
  • Payroll/Benefits - OnPay, VestWell, Kaiser, EDD
  • BUSD-specific - InformedK12, EduCLIMBER, Infinite Campus
  • Other - Last Pass, City Data Services
• A desire to keep learning, and a commitment to bring new learning to the finance & operations work of the Schools Fund

Job Requirements

• Hybrid role, with at least 1 in-person day per week
• Constantly performing desk-based computer tasks
• Occasional travel to school buildings and event sites within Berkeley
• Occasional evening hours
• Occasional need to carry equipment weighing up to 25 lbs

Timeline

Application open May 27 - June 16, 2026

Start Date: August 3, 2026

Compensation & Benefits

• $115-125K/year prorated to $92-100K for 0.8FTE (32 hrs/week)
• Benefits package that includes:
  • 100% employer-paid medical insurance + dental & vision coverage;
  • 3 weeks of vacation & standard sick time accrual;
  • 18 total paid federal + BUSD holidays;
  • 401k retirement fund option (no employer match)
• Flexible work schedule and location (option to work primarily from the office, primarily from remote or split, with at least 1 day/week in person)
• The Schools Fund office is not far from North Berkeley BART, has easy access to free parking and public transportation, is close to bike paths/bike-friendly, and is in walking distance to great restaurants and Strawberry Creek Park
• A collegial and supportive professional environment with a shared value around work-life balance
• The opportunity to make a direct, positive impact on the students, families, and staff in Berkeley’s public schools

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AT THE SCHOOLS FUND

The Berkeley Public Schools Fund is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We also know that great candidates can bring skills that we haven’t thought of just yet, and who won’t fit everything we’ve described above. If this is you, don’t hesitate to apply. Tell us what unique contributions you can offer. We are dedicated to improving our organization and know that part of it means to better reflect the people we serve.

We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages and we especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Strong use of written and spoken English, including deep familiarity with financial management terminology.