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Executive Director Finance

Saginaw Intermediate School District
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Executive Director of Finance

FINANCE - Saginaw, Michigan

REPORTS TO: 
Deputy Superintendent

Posting Information:

Posting Closes: March 3, 2026

Candidate Selection Notification: March 5, 2026

Screening Interviews: March 9, 2026

First Round Interviews: March 11, 2026

Finalist Interviews: March 16, 2026

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:  Reporting to the Deputy Superintendent of the Saginaw Intermediate School District, the Executive Director of Finance is responsible for the leadership, oversight, and strategic management of all financial operations for Saginaw ISD. This position provides overall supervision and evaluation of Finance Department personnel and programs, including payroll, accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, budgeting, and long-range financial planning.

The Executive Director of Finance ensures all financial activities are carried out in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Board policy, and state and federal regulations. This role functions as the business management and financial advisor to the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent/Cabinet, overseeing budget development, fiscal analysis, bonding activities, and contract administration. The Executive Director of Finance also provides financial leadership and support to local education agency (LEA) business officials, facilitates countywide business official roundtables, and advocates for equitable school funding.

This position plays a key role in advancing the district’s mission by fostering a culture of financial integrity, transparency, and service to internal and external stakeholders, while ensuring long-term fiscal health and business management operational excellence across the ISD.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive financial strategies that ensure long-term fiscal health and business management operational excellence for Saginaw ISD.
  2. Direct and supervise payroll, pupil accounting, accounts payable/receivable, and finance staff, fostering a positive, service-oriented culture grounded in equity, inclusion, and compliance.
  3. Direct and oversee payroll operations, ensuring efficient, professional, and service-oriented processes and timely outputs.
  4. Oversee the management of all district funds, ensuring proper accounting of transactions in alignment with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Board policy, and state and federal regulations.
  5. Coordinate and oversee the preparation, certification, and reporting of all district property tax levies (including general, special education, and CTE millages), ensuring compliance with state law, accurate tax rate calculations, and timely submission to local units and the Michigan Department of Treasury.
  6. Develop, monitor, and analyze annual and multi-year budgets, providing fiscal projections, monthly analyses, and recommendations for program improvements or cost-saving measures.
  7. Lead the district’s bonding and refunding activities, including preparation of documentation and communication with legal counsel, rating agencies, and investors.
  8. Monitor and implement corrective actions from audit findings and management letter recommendations to strengthen internal controls and ensure ongoing compliance.
  9. Serve as the Superintendent’s and Deputy Superintendent/Cabinet’s business management and financial advisor, preparing reports, analyses, and recommendations that inform strategic and operational decision-making.
  10. Stay current with state and federal legislative developments affecting school finance, and serve as a resource and advocate for equitable school funding on behalf of Saginaw ISD and local LEAs.
  11. Facilitate countywide business official roundtables and provide guidance, training, and support to LEA business managers, including direct financial services where contracted.
  12. Provide financial analysis and salary schedules for collective bargaining negotiations, including benefits and other economic issues, and participate as a member of the district’s negotiating team.
  13. Recommend and manage property and liability insurance programs, negotiating coverage and premiums to achieve cost-effective protection for district assets.
  14. Prepare board reports, special studies, and other financial documentation as requested by the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent/Cabinet.
  15. Develop and recommend strategies that balance programmatic needs, capital improvements, and fiscal sustainability.
  16. Foster a positive climate and culture across the Finance Department and throughout the organization. 

Executive Leadership Expectations:

  1. Act as a systems-level solutions architect rather than an isolated problem solver.
  2. Lead collaborative, cross-departmental efforts aligned to the Saginaw ISD strategic compass.
  3. Design and facilitate workstreams with multiple stakeholders while managing complex environmental changes.
  4. Ensure all activities are intentionally aligned and outcome-driven.
  5. Foster organizational and community awareness in all planning and implementation efforts.
  6. Support multidimensional, cross-divisional teams to address operational gaps collaboratively across the Birth-26 system.
  7. Other Duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent and/or Superintendent. 

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Master’s degree or higher in finance, accounting, public administration, education administration, law, or business administration required. CPA or MSBO CFO certification strongly preferred.
  2. Minimum of 5 years’ executive-level experience in finance, accounting, or business administration in education, government, or corporate sectors.
  3. Demonstrated record of strategic leadership in financial management, including budgeting, debt management, investments, and financial reporting.
  4. Advanced expertise in Michigan school finance laws, state aid formulas, and compliance frameworks.
  5. Proven ability to lead financial teams, foster leadership development, and drive organizational change.
  6. Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and persuasively to boards, legislators, rating agencies, and community stakeholders.
  7. Demonstrated success in strategic planning, policy development, and advocacy for public education funding.
  8. Proficiency in financial technologies and data systems, with the ability to modernize processes and leverage innovation.
  9. Demonstrated abilities in collaboration with community partners and local school districts.
  10. Demonstrated abilities in conflict resolution and mediation.
  11. Ability to produce results under various constraints and pressures.
  12. Possess a high level of discretion, confidentiality, and integrity.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: 

Executive Director of Human Resources

Saginaw Intermediate School District

3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603

Telephone: (989) 399-7473, Fax: (989) 249-8756