AOE Education Finance Director

The Agency of Education (AOE) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Education Finance Director to lead its Education Finance unit. This is a pivotal leadership position that directly influences the financial health and sustainability of Vermont's education system. The Director will spearhead high-stakes policy revisions and strategic financial planning, ensuring that Vermont's education funding mechanisms remain equitable, effective, and fiscally responsible.

This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate the complexities of state and federal education finance laws, collaborate with policymakers, and provide expert financial oversight. The Director will be responsible for ensuring that the state's education finance system aligns with Vermont's long-term educational goals, supporting affordability while maintaining high-quality learning experiences for all students. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in financial management, education policy, and strategic decision-making to drive positive changes within the Agency and across Vermont's educational landscape.

This position will:

• Serve as the subject matter expert on education finance for the state of Vermont, providing data-driven insights to support policy development.
• Oversee the operations of the Education Finance Data Team, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Lead efforts to revise Vermont's education funding mechanisms to improve affordability and sustainability.
• Act as the primary Agency representative on education finance matters, providing expert testimony during legislative sessions and engaging with education stakeholders.
• Collaborate with state agencies, including the Joint Fiscal Office, Tax Department, State Treasurer's Office, and the Department of Finance and Management, to coordinate financial policies and legislative changes.
• Work closely with the Special Education Finance and Education Medicaid teams, ensuring compliance with laws and optimizing federal funding opportunities.
• Guide and support the implementation of new state and federal education finance policies.
• Engage with external stakeholders such as school business officers, Vermont Superintendents Association, Vermont School Boards Association, and Vermont Principals Association to provide guidance on legislative and financial changes affecting school districts.
• Supervise and support the Special Education Finance Director and AOE Medicaid Administrator in their respective roles, ensuring effective financial oversight of these programs.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact leadership role at the center of education finance in Vermont. The Education Finance Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the state's funding policies and ensuring fiscal responsibility while supporting quality education for all Vermont students. If you have the expertise and passion for financial leadership in public education, we encourage you to apply.

This position,AOE Education Finance Director (Job Requisition #52096), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact Karen Abbott at karen.abbott@vermont.gov.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting but some travel will require private means of transportation. Duties may require some time outside of normal work hours. Incumbent will be expected to testify before the Legislature and/or assist other Agency leaders in doing so.

Six (6) years or more of experience in a financial leadership role, managing a major fiscal program or operation where functional responsibilities included highly complex fiscal analysis, fiscal modeling, and budgeting.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Deep understanding of education funding policy, program evaluation, and financial analysis.
• Expertise in state and federal education finance laws, budgeting, and fiscal modeling.
• Strong proficiency in mathematics and MS Excel for data analysis.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience in government budget preparation, cost-benefit analysis, and contracting regulations.
• Ability to supervise and train staff, manage teams, and foster collaboration.
• Strong problem-solving and strategic planning skills, with the ability to analyze and interpret complex laws and regulations.
• Familiarity with organizational design and financial information systems.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant field.

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.