Career Center

Director of School Business Operations

Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, Center for Collections and Research, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending our Pre-K through 12 independent college preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors and students to its campus each year. Critics have called Cranbrook “the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America” and in 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The campus is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, about 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. For more, please visit our website: www.cranbrook.edu.

Cranbrook Schools seeks a Director of School Business Operations.  Reporting directly to the Director of Schools and a member of the school’s administrative team, the Director serves as the primary liaison between Cranbrook Schools and the central departments of Cranbrook Educational Community (CEC). The Director is responsible for overseeing the Schools’ operating budget and designated funds, business operations, and the managers of the school’s auxiliary programs.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Maintain a centralized and supportive business office that serves as the primary support center and business process headquarters for the Schools.
• Support the teaching and learning process; actively work to create and support student-centered environments.
• Support cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, social, economic, and geographic diversity and sensitivity.
• Maintain excellent campus, parent, and student relations, and organizational reputation.

• Establish efficient working relationships with personnel and departments.

• Be present and involved in daily school life and school meetings.

• Seek continual improvement of policies and procedures.
• Remain current on independent school business offices.
• Attend conferences hosted by associations as time and budget permits.
• Volunteer and represent Cranbrook within associations.

• Maintain attendance, punctuality, and performance standards set forth in Cranbrook’s employee handbook.

Budget Management

• Lead the Schools in meeting budget goals and expectations.
• Be a good steward of the Schools’ finances and accounting practices.
• Strategically manage and orchestrate the Schools’ operating budget and designated funds.
• Create and maintain the Schools‘ operating budget by coordinating and collaborating with the Director of Schools, budget managers, and the CEC’s Director of Budget & Business Analytics, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and accounting personnel.
• Conduct an annual budget review and request cycle with budget managers prior to initial draft of the CEC budget.
• Establish and maintain a budget methodology that best supports the school, its budget managers, and central finance partners.
• Conduct monthly and annual processes, such as named scholars, faculty and student awards, journal entries, revenue and expense transfers, and fiscal year close processes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to the Schools’ Board of Governors Finance Committee Chair.
• Attend all meetings of the Schools’ Board of Governors (BOG) and Board of Trustees (BOT) finance committees.
• Prepare and coordinate materials such as slides, reports, and presenters for Board of Governors finance committee meetings.

Business Operations

• Manage the Schools’ business operations through effective collaboration with CEC operational departments.
• Serve as master administrator for the student accounts system (Blackbaud Tuition Management).
• Coordinate with the Schools’ Information Systems Administrator to maintain the student account resource tile on the intranet (CranNet).
• Manage communication with parents regarding their student accounts.
• Manage student insurance policies (tuition refund, healthcare, and accident plans).
• Manage faculty matrix and contracts including annual reviews, updates, and offers.
• Oversee vendor contracts and negotiations for the Schools.
• Develop strong and positive relationships with reputable vendors that offer programs and services attractive to Cranbrook constituents.
• Serve as the primary contact for data compilation and data entry for independent school organizations such as INDEX and NAIS/DASL.
• Serve as the primary contact for Michigan Department of Education and annual forms.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Direct supervision of:

• Senior Administrative Assistant
• Director of Special and Summer Programs
• School Store Manager
• Ice Arena Manager
• Natatorium Manager
• Food service vendor’s District Manager 

Requirements:

• A strong desire to work at an independent school or nonprofit organization.
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in accounting or finance preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of K-12, higher education, or nonprofit experience in finance or business services.
• Advanced database experience and spreadsheet skills.
• Work independently and cooperatively with students, staff, parents, and the Cranbrook community.
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to make decisions that require a high level of problem-solving skills and confidentiality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Requires a valid Michigan driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

Cranbrook offers competitive compensation and benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement programs with employer contribution. We also offer generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employee discounts, and a unique environment in an educational setting that values collaboration.

For consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter to: Director of School Business Operations | Cranbrook Employment Opportunities (ultipro.com)

About Cranbrook Educational Community

Cranbrook History Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook Educational Community is one of the world’s leading centers of education, science, and art. Comprised of a graduate Academy of Art, contemporary Art Museum, House and Gardens, Institute of Science, and more than 1,600 students attending its PreK-12 independent college-preparatory Schools, Cranbrook welcomes thousands of visitors, students, and campers to its campus each year. Critics have called Cranbrook “the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America” and in 1989, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. The campus is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, about 20 miles north of Detroit. Cranbrook Mission and Values Mission: Cranbrook Schools are independent day and boarding schools that provide students with a challenging and comprehensive college preparatory education. We motivate students from diverse backgrounds to strive for intellectual, creative, and physical excellence, to develop a deep appreciation for the arts and different cultures, and to employ the technological tools of our modern age. Our schools seek to instill in students a strong sense of personal a...nd social responsibility, the ability to think critically, and the competence to communicate and contribute in an increasingly global community. Guiding Principles: Cranbrook Schools comprise a college preparatory day and boarding educational institution, early childhood through 12th grade, consisting of three divisions: a lower, middle and an upper school. We are structured to recognize and respond to the developmental, cognitive and creative needs of boys and girls and are dedicated to excellence in all aspects of education.

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Connections working at Cranbrook Educational Community