OUR MISSION

Movement Schools is a growing network of free, public charter schools.  We exist to love and value scholars and communities by leading a movement of excellence in education. In partnership with our families, we equip our scholars with the tools to close generational gaps through self-efficacy, access to world-class instruction, and financial education.

About This Role

Build the Financial & Compliance Foundation to Scale Impact. Strengthen Schools. Change Lives.

At Movement Schools, we believe every scholar deserves a joyful, rigorous, and deeply supportive learning environment. As we scale to 20 schools within three years and 100 schools over the next decade, we are seeking an exceptional executive leader to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The CFO is a strategic architect and operational executor responsible for designing and leading the network’s financial strategy and regulatory framework. This leader will drive the transition to fully in-house finance operations, ensure strong multi-entity fund management, safeguard regulatory compliance, and steward the financial health of a growing, multi-state charter school network.

This is a unique opportunity for a systems-level leader who thrives in complexity, builds high-performing teams, and ensures that strong financial infrastructure fuels sustainable academic growth and institutional integrity.

What You’ll Do

You’ll build and lead a best-in-class finance and compliance function that enables sustainable growth across the network.

Head of Finance & Accounting

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead the network’s long-term financial strategy, ensuring sustainability and alignment with academic priorities
  
  
• Drive financial planning for growth, facilities expansion, and major strategic initiatives
  
  
• Align financial systems and structures to support scaling to new regions and campuses
  
  

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead development of the annual network-wide budget, including individual school-level budgets
  
  
• Create multi-year financial forecasts and scenario analyses to inform executive decision-making
  
  
• Partner with school leaders and department heads to align resources with instructional priorities
  
  
• Coordinate funds flow across multiple entities, including Movement Foundation, CMO, Movement Resources, Movement Schools (across three states), and Movement Early Education
  
  

Financial Operations & Accounting

• Transition all finance operations from outsourced providers to a fully in-house model
  
  
• Design, build, hire, and train a high-performing internal finance team
  
  
• In new regions, contract vendors as needed and design and launch compliant accounting and financial processes
  
  
• Design and implement a charter of accounts aligned to budgeting categories and regulatory requirements
  
  
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger
  
  
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly closings, reconciliations, and financial statements
  
  
• Establish strong internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP or modified accrual standards, as applicable
  
  

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local financial regulations, including:
  
  
• Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG)
  
  
• Charter authorizer financial requirements
  
  
• IRS and Department of Revenue filings
  
  
• Prepare and submit timely, accurate reports for:
  
  
• Annual audits
  
  
• State-mandated reporting (e.g., Chart of Accounts, ADM)
  
  
• Federal grants (e.g., ESSER, Title funds)
  
  

Grants & Fund Management

• Lead federal grant application, monitoring, disbursement, and compliance processes, including both financial and programmatic components
  
  
• Oversee restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring proper tracking and adherence to funder requirements
  
  
• Lead budget development and reporting for federal, state, and private grants
  
  
• Maximize grant impact and reimbursement
  
  

Financial Reporting & Board Support

• Prepare and present clear, accurate financial reports to the Board of Directors
  
  
• Communicate key financial insights, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership
  
  

Risk Management & Insurance

• Identify financial risks and develop mitigation strategies
  
  
• Manage insurance policies, including general liability, workers’ compensation, property, and D&O
  
  
• Ensure appropriate reserves and policies are in place to protect long-term stability
  
  

Liquidity & Debt Management

• Monitor debt service and ensure compliance with financing agreements
  
  
• Ensure schools are appropriately funded and proactively plan for cash needs
  
  
• Maintain strong liquidity management across all entities
  
  

Financial Analysis & Strategic Modeling

• Develop financial models that drive long-term sustainability
  
  
• Identify and evaluate strategic cost-saving or efficiency initiatives (e.g., bringing custodial or transportation services in-house)
  
  
• Analyze budget-to-actual performance with both cash and net income views
  
  
• Communicate emerging risks, financial needs, and proposed solutions to the Executive Team
  
  
• Ensure financial oversight supports both liquidity management and state regulatory requirements
  
  

Fundraising

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with network growth plans and budget needs
  
  
• Identify, pursue, and manage relationships with foundations, corporate partners, and philanthropic institutions
  
  
• Write or oversee the development of grant proposals, letters of intent (LOIs), and required reports
  
  
• Ensure timely, high-quality submissions and strong funder stewardship
  
  

Head of Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

The CFO also oversees network-wide regulatory and legal compliance to ensure operational excellence and institutional integrity.

Regulatory Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local education laws, including:
  
  
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  
  
• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  
  
• Title I, II, III, IV, and IX
  
  
• FERPA and HIPAA (as applicable)
  
  
• Maintain compliance with charter authorizer requirements, state agencies, and local authorities, including contract obligations and renewal conditions
  
  
• Monitor changes in education law and assess impact on the organization
  
  

Charter Authorization & Accountability

• Manage all communication, reporting, and submissions to charter authorizers and state education agencies
  
  
• Lead charter renewals, amendments, expansions, and replication efforts
  
  
• Ensure schools meet academic, financial, and operational accountability standards
  
  

Internal Policy Development & Implementation

• Develop, review, and update organizational policies to ensure compliance
  
  
• Guide implementation of board-approved policies across the network
  
  
• Ensure staff training and understanding of compliance responsibilities
  
  

Internal Monitoring & Risk Management

• Design and oversee internal audit processes to identify compliance gaps and operational risks
  
  
• Lead annual compliance reviews across campuses, including site visits and documentation audits
  
  
• Investigate and resolve non-compliance issues and develop corrective action plans
  
  
• Report findings to executive leadership and the Board as appropriate
  
  

Reporting & Data Integrity

• Ensure accurate and timely submission of required state, federal, and authorizer reports
  
  
• Oversee data systems that track compliance metrics and identify trends or risks
  
  

Legal Affairs Support

• Partner with external legal counsel on investigations, audits, and legal matters
  
  
• Support responses to formal complaints, due process hearings, and state audits
  
  

Training & Capacity Building

• Develop and deliver training on key compliance topics, including:
  
  
• Mandated reporting
  
  
• Records retention
  
  
• McKinney-Vento (homeless students)
  
  
• Civil rights protections
  
  
• Build internal capacity across schools to self-monitor and report compliance accurately
  
  

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a mission-driven executive who brings strategic financial expertise, regulatory depth, and operational excellence.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Believe deeply that strong financial and compliance systems are essential to academic excellence
  
  
• Have experience leading complex, multi-entity financial structures
  
  
• Thrive in high-growth, multi-state environments
  
  
• Are skilled at building systems from the ground up
  
  
• Demonstrate strong executive presence and board-level communication skills
  
  
• Balance strategic vision with operational rigor
  
  
• Lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability
  
  
• Communicate complex financial and regulatory concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders
  
  
• Build high-performing teams and develop strong leaders
  
  
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail while thinking long-term
  
  
• Approach challenges with resilience, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset
  
  

Why You’ll Love Working at Movement

• Lead financial and compliance strategy for a rapidly scaling network
  
  
• Build infrastructure that enables academic excellence at scale
  
  
• Partner closely with executive leadership and the Board
  
  
• Shape sustainable growth across multiple states
  
  
• Make a measurable impact on scholars, families, and communities
  
  

Compensation & Schedule

This full-time role aligns with the academic calendar and provides meaningful growth in a purpose-driven environment.

• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package available for eligible employees
• Schedule: Monday - Friday.  Evenings and weekends as needed.
• Travel is Required

Our Commitment

Movement Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming school community. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required background checks.

Ready to Build What Makes Growth Possible?

If you are ready to design the financial and compliance foundation that will power 100 schools and transform thousands of lives, we encourage you to apply.