School District 63 (Saanich) is seeking a Secretary Treasurer to serve as a member of the school district senior management team. The Secretary Treasurer reports to the Superintendent of Schools (CEO) within a leadership culture that is committed to student success and to being an employer of choice.

The Organization – Saanich School District

School District 63 operates in four municipalities, Saanich, Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney on south Vancouver Island, and serves the communities of Royal Oak, Sidney, Deep Cove, Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, Cordova Bay and four First Nations communities.  The district has eight elementary schools, three middle schools, three secondary schools, a children’s development centre (CDC), two individual learning centres (ILC), a distance education school (SIDES) and an international student program.

The district has approximately 7500 students and 1000 teaching, support and administrative staff and an annual budget of $71,000,000.  For further information about our school district, please access our district website at www.sd63.bc.ca.

The Opportunity

The Secretary-Treasurer serves as the Chief Operating and Financial Officer of the school district and is responsible for the financial, legal, and general business services of the Board of Education at the district and school levels.  The Secretary-Treasurer sees to fiscal responsibility and accountability in all levels of the school system and has supervisory oversight of the facilities department, business services, the information technology department (shared) and human resources related to support staff in the district.

The successful candidate will have a proven leadership record of collaboration and consensus building as well as knowledge of the history of education finance in BC and a record of making thoughtful contributions to organizational decision making.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated successful experience in the public sector at a senior management level;
A professional accounting designation – CPA, CA, CGA or CMA;
Experience with provincial legislation compliance requirements;
At least ten years management level experience in finance and business operations including human resources and facilities, preferably in the K-12 sector;
Experience with support of board governance

Specific Responsibilities

Relationship with the Board of Education

Responsible for assisting the Board in conducting its affairs effectively and efficiently;
Anticipates financial, legal and other matters, and advises the Board on action that may be required to deal with these matters;
Serves as a member on and provides support for the finance and facilities, policy development, and human resources standing committees of the Board;
Oversees all formal Board processes including in relation to committee and Board meetings;
Supports the corporate Board in its communications, record-keeping, financial discussions, establishment of bylaws, and trustee elections;
Provides regular updates to the Board as required and in support of Board decisions.

Financial Planning

Ensures that the process and preparation of the operating budget and other financial planning activities are consistent with Board goals/directions and legal and policy direction established by government;
Ensures that the Board has an accounting and financial control system that is in compliance with Ministry directions;
Has overall responsibility for the development and maintenance of accounting and financial reporting systems and audit processes;
Directs/approves capital funding requests to the Ministry, in conjunction with the Board and senior staff.

Legal Operations

Ensures compliance with legal requirements imposed by the School Act and other legislation regarding financial, trustee and board related matters;
Ensures compliance with the Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act
Prepares contracts on various matters (for example property and employment);
Reviews  all contracts and agreements for probity and conformity to legislation and board policy;
Participates in labour negotiations as appropriate.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Superintendent of Schools.

Supervisory Oversight

Director of Finance;
Director of Facilities;
Director of Human Resources (shared);
Director of Information Technology (shared).

Key Relationships
 
Board of Education     Municipalities
Board and Committee Chairpersons     Other School Districts
District Executive Team     Returning Officer
Principals and Vice-Principals     General Public
Ministry of Education     Board Office Staff

Competencies and Personal Characteristics

The successful candidate will demonstrate well developed skills in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, accountability, positive communication and a focus on student success.

Familiarity with public sector accounting requirements;
Demonstrated skills in collective agreement administration and union-management relations and labour relations
Superior organizational, management, leadership, and problem solving skills;
Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining effective relationships within and beyond a complex organization;
Demonstrated superior communications skills including oral presentation and professional writing skills as well as responsive and effective electronic communication
Demonstrated successful experience strategic planning and managing change;
Proficiency with computer applications and relevant technology;
Ability to balance a number of tasks while completing a variety of diverse projects and assignments in a timely manner.