Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

Overview

Ascend is a network of K-12 public charter schools serving over 5,000 students across Central Brooklyn. Our mission is to lead students on a great intellectual journey through exceptional education that prepares them for college and beyond. As Ascend continues to grow in size and complexity, we are seeking a visionary and strategic Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to oversee all financial planning activities that drive sustainability, operational efficiency, and mission-aligned resource allocation.

This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), with a mandate to lead high-stakes, enterprise-wide financial strategy. The Director of FP&A will shape the financial direction of the organization, lead cross-functional strategic planning processes, and serve as a thought partner to senior leaders across Finance, Academics, Talent, and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Serve as the organization’s financial planning lead, aligning resource allocation with Ascend’s multi-year strategic goals and academic priorities.
• Develop and own long-range financial models, strategic forecasting frameworks, and return-on-investment analysis for core programs.
• Advise executive leadership and the Board of Trustees on financial health, growth opportunities, and risk mitigation.
• Act as a key partner to school and central leaders, helping translate academic priorities into clear budget implications and tradeoffs.

Enterprise Budget Management

• Lead the development, rollout, and execution of Ascend’s annual organizational budget (>$100M), ensuring full alignment with enrollment, staffing, and facilities plans.
• Partner with senior department leaders to set and manage budgets, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to be strong financial stewards.
• Continuously evaluate budget performance and manage mid-year forecasts, identifying proactive adjustments to ensure fiscal discipline and impact.

Data-Driven Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Deliver ongoing analysis and insights that drive stronger decision-making at the executive level, including unit economics, cost modeling, and strategic tradeoff scenarios.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality dashboards, presentations, and reports for internal leaders, board meetings, and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate funding streams—public, philanthropic, and private—and build strategies to maximize resources and diversify financial sustainability.

Financial Systems, Compliance, and Process Innovation

• Drive the evolution of Ascend’s financial systems infrastructure, including budgeting and forecasting platforms, ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and integration across teams.
• Develop and maintain internal financial controls, ensuring compliance with GAAP standards, charter regulations, and audit best practices.
• Identify and implement system and process improvements to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and agility of the FP&A function.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead and grow a high-performing FP&A team, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Build strong partnerships across Ascend’s network (Talent, Academics, Operations, Advancement, Facilities) to ensure seamless planning and execution.
• Represent Finance in major cross-functional planning processes and high-priority initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; MBA, MPA, or related advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in financial planning and analysis, ideally in a mission-driven, complex, or growing organization.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated success in leading enterprise-wide budgeting and forecasting processes and managing large financial portfolios.
• Experience building and optimizing financial systems and tools (e.g., Sage Intacct, SAP, Adaptive Insights).
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and manage complex stakeholder relationships with clarity and diplomacy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to board-level audiences.
• Deep commitment to Ascend’s mission, values, and belief in educational equity.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $95,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience. Ascend offers a robust benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings; generous paid time off; and professional development opportunities. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of working in-office three days per week