<p>Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis</p> <p>Overview</p> <p>Ascend is a network of K-12 public charter schools serving over 5,000 students across Central Brooklyn. Our mission is to lead students on a great intellectual journey through exceptional education that prepares them for college and beyond. As Ascend continues to grow in size and complexity, we are seeking a visionary and strategic Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to oversee all financial planning activities that drive sustainability, operational efficiency, and mission-aligned resource allocation.</p> <p>This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with a mandate to lead high-stakes, enterprise-wide financial strategy. The Director of FP&A will shape the financial direction of the organization, lead cross-functional strategic planning processes, and serve as a thought partner to senior leaders across Finance, Academics, Talent, and Operations.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities</p> <p>Organizational Financial Strategy & Leadership</p> <ul> <li>Serve as the organization's financial planning lead, aligning resource allocation with Ascend's multi-year strategic goals and academic priorities. </li><li>Develop and own long-range financial models, strategic forecasting frameworks, and return-on-investment analysis for core programs. </li><li>Advise executive leadership and the Board of Trustees on financial health, growth opportunities, and risk mitigation. </li><li>Act as a key partner to school and central leaders, helping translate academic priorities into clear budget implications and tradeoffs. </li></ul> <p>Enterprise Budget Management</p> <ul> <li>Lead the development, rollout, and execution of Ascend's annual organizational budget (>$100M), ensuring full alignment with enrollment, staffing, and facilities plans. </li><li>Partner with senior department leaders to set and manage budgets, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to be strong financial stewards. </li><li>Continuously evaluate budget performance and manage mid-year forecasts, identifying proactive adjustments to ensure fiscal discipline and impact. </li></ul> <p>Data-Driven Financial Analysis & Reporting</p> <ul> <li>Deliver ongoing analysis and insights that drive stronger decision-making at the executive level, including unit economics, cost modeling, and strategic tradeoff scenarios. </li><li>Oversee the creation of high-quality dashboards, presentations, and reports for internal leaders, board meetings, and external stakeholders. </li><li>Evaluate funding streams-public, philanthropic, and private-and build strategies to maximize resources and diversify financial sustainability. </li></ul> <p>Financial Systems, Compliance, and Process Innovation</p> <ul> <li>Drive the evolution of Ascend's financial systems infrastructure, including budgeting and forecasting platforms, ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and integration across teams. </li><li>Develop and maintain internal financial controls, ensuring compliance with GAAP standards, charter regulations, and audit best practices. </li><li>Identify and implement system and process improvements to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and agility of the FP&A function. </li></ul> <p>Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration</p> <ul> <li>Lead and grow a high-performing FP&A team, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. </li><li>Build strong partnerships across Ascend's network (Talent, Academics, Operations, Advancement, Facilities) to ensure seamless planning and execution. </li><li>Represent Finance in major cross-functional planning processes and high-priority initiatives. </li></ul> <p>Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; MBA, MPA, or related advanced degree strongly preferred. </li><li>5+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial planning and analysis, ideally in a mission-driven, complex, or growing organization. </li><li>Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into organizational strategy. </li><li>Demonstrated success in leading enterprise-wide budgeting and forecasting processes and managing large financial portfolios. </li><li>Experience building and optimizing financial systems and tools (e.g., Sage Intacct, SAP, Adaptive Insights). </li><li>Proven ability to influence senior leaders and manage complex stakeholder relationships with clarity and diplomacy. </li><li>Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to board-level audiences. </li><li>Deep commitment to Ascend's mission, values, and belief in educational equity. </li></ul> <p>Compensation & Benefits</p> <p>The salary range for this role is $115,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experience. Ascend offers a robust benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings; generous paid time off; and professional development opportunities. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of working in-office three days per week.</p> <p>Location & Work Arrangement</p> <ul> <li>Based in our Brooklyn, NY office </li><li>A hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per week </li></ul> <p>In-person work expectations include network office time, stakeholder meetings, school visits, special events, and other role-specific responsibilities as determined by management.</p>