Deputy Chief of Financial Strategy and Business Operations

Assists the Chief Finance and Operations Officer in leading the district’s financial strategy, resource planning, business operations, and organizational improvement efforts. Provides direct executive leadership and oversight for Purchasing & Finance Operations, Budget Planning, and Demographics & Real Estate, ensuring these functions operate as an integrated portfolio aligned with district priorities. Leads long-range financial planning, procurement strategy, enrollment and facilities-related analysis, responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, and development of finance talent and end-user capability.

Serves as a strategic advisor to the Chief Finance and Operations Officer and represents the office with district leaders, the Board, governmental agencies, vendors, and community stakeholders.

Assigned Portfolio

Purchasing & Finance Operations, Budget Planning, and Demographics & Real Estate

• Direct and coordinate the work of Purchasing & Finance Operations, Budget Planning, and Demographics & Real Estate.
• Lead development of the district’s annual budget, multiyear financial plans, forecasts, resource-allocation models, and executive budget recommendations.
• Establish procurement and business operations strategies that promote competition, compliance, supplier performance, timely service, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Integrate demographic, enrollment, economic, and real-estate analyses into budget planning, facility decisions, and long-range district strategy.
• Oversee district real-estate activities within the assigned portfolio, including analysis, planning, transactions, utilization reviews, and coordination with legal and operational partners.
• Lead responsible AI implementation across Finance and Operations by establishing governance, prioritizing high-value use cases, managing risk, and measuring operational and financial benefits.
• Develop and oversee finance training programs that strengthen technical knowledge, internal controls, customer service, cross-training, and leadership capacity.
• Monitor portfolio performance through key measures, service-level expectations, financial analysis, and corrective action plans.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and special projects assigned by the Chief Finance and Operations Officer, coordinating senior leaders and resolving barriers to execution.
• Review laws, regulations, Board policy, market conditions, and industry practices affecting budgeting, procurement, real estate, technology, and business operations; recommend appropriate action.
• Prepare and review executive summaries, presentations, Board agenda items, policies, procedures, and correspondence related to assigned functions.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions and management recommendations for assigned departments.
• Build collaborative relationships with schools and departments and ensure the portfolio delivers responsive, consistent, and solution-oriented support.
• Develop departmental leaders, align staffing and resources with priorities, and perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

7+ years

TYPE OF SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Executive leadership; financial and operational analysis; policy development; project and change management; internal controls; regulatory compliance; written and oral communication; stakeholder engagement; data-informed decision-making; and proficiency with Microsoft Office and enterprise financial systems.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Level 6 -Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides

strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district wide.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice, and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Develops and specifies requirements for portfolio plans and budgets; recommends allocation of staff and financial resources; and monitors performance against approved budgets.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Greater latitude and discretion are warranted in making decisions, which affect major areas of HISD and possibly the organization's public image. The job is constantly expected to apply creative solutions to complex problems and develop new ideas and concepts. Reviews and approves decisions and/or recommendations that may have a significant impact on the entire organization.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have a major impact to multiple divisions or organization and may impact the general direction of HISD. Errors may cause continuous adverse influence on the future operations of the organization, in matters involving important customer commitments, organizational liability, and other matters which may appreciably affect future costs.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Oversee and direct - serves as one of the organization's senior level spokespersons in area of expertise, defines and champions change initiatives, organizational strategies, services, policies, and practices. Interactions are typically with Top Management, the Board, and community and business leaders.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Anticipates customer needs, identifies, and champions opportunities for the development and implementation of new services and methods to meet or exceed customer needs. Establishes customer service standards and feedback mechanisms across departments.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.