Director of Finance
Regional School Unit 21 — Kennebunk, ME
Regional School Unit 21 (RSU 21) is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Finance to lead the financial operations of a dynamic, high-performing district serving 2,300 students across Arundel, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport in southern Maine. This key leadership role partners with the Superintendent, Cabinet Team, and School Board to manage a $59 million budget, ensuring alignment with pre-K through 12th-grade priorities. The Director of Finance is part of the senior leadership team and oversees a dedicated finance department in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development, implementation, and management of the district’s $59M annual budget in alignment with strategic goals.
- Advise the Superintendent, Cabinet, and School Board on financial planning, forecasting, and policy.
- Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, cash flow, procurement, and risk management.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal financial regulations and reporting requirements.
- Foster collaboration and continuous improvement in fiscal practices across departments.
- Promote transparency and accessibility in financial reporting to staff, the School Board, and the community.
- Drive long-term financial planning and sustainability aligned with district priorities.
Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years of progressive financial management experience, preferably in PK–12 education, government, or nonprofit sectors.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s or CPA strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of financial regulations, reporting standards, and public sector finance best practices.
- Experience managing complex budgets involving local, state, and federal funds.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with a proactive mindset committed to innovation and accountability.
Position Details
Reports to: Superintendent of Schools
Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Superintendent, in accordance with the Board of School Directors Policy on evaluation of administrative personnel.
Reasonable Accommodations: RSU 21 will provide accommodations to individuals with a disability, as defined by the ADA or applicable law, unless doing so would create undue hardship for the district.
Terms of Employment: Total compensation to be established by the Superintendent, commensurate with experience, and approved by the Board.