Manager, Customer Relations & Financial Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 59 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more fair world.

Founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, we are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. KIPP Texas is a team and family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in belongingness, academic success and joy.

KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students.

Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

KIPP Texas is seeking a Finance Manager – Customer Relations & Financial Operations, who will play a critical role in fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders while ensuring smooth financial operations. This role will focus on enhancing customer service, improving organizational efficiency, and building collaborative relationships to support financial processes. The Accounting Manager will oversee credit card transactions, travel expenses, and financial compliance while providing high-level support to cardholders and vendors. This position requires exceptional attention to detail, professionalism, and a strong customer service mindset to assist and educate stakeholders effectively. The Finance team celebrates diversity, understands the big picture, and always operates with a focus on what is best for our Big & Little KIPPsters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Finance Manager will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties :

Customer Service & Relationship Management :

Serve as the primary point of contact for cardholders, vendors, and internal teams regarding financial transactions and policy compliance.

Provide proactive support and training on credit card usage, travel expenses, and financial processes.

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal departments to streamline financial operations.

Address inquiries and concerns promptly with a customer-centric approach.

Shares important information, including recommended options, technical direction, instructions, and reports results

Identifies and obtains input from key stakeholders and demonstrates an understanding of the range of important perspectives when proposing solutions and recommendations

Implement strategies to improve communication and financial transparency across teams.

Organizational & Financial Operations :

Oversee corporate credit card administration, including issuance, monitoring, compliance, and reporting.

Develop efficient processes to manage financial transactions and documentation.

Implement automation tools and workflows to improve efficiency and minimize errors.

Support financial planning by providing clear, organized reports and analysis for leadership.

Assist in implementing the Concur Expense and Travel system across the organization.

Compliance & Risk Management :

Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with financial policies and regulations.

Identify and address discrepancies or fraudulent activities in financial transactions.

Develop and enforce corporate credit card controls to minimize financial risk.

Support external audit processes by providing necessary documentation and analysis.

Collaboration & Leadership :

Work closely with procurement specialists, legal teams, and finance colleagues to align financial operations with organizational goals.

Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on financial best practices.

Assist in mentoring and supporting accounting team members in their professional growth.

Contribute to cross-functional projects aimed at improving financial policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Experience :

Bachelor’s degree (Preferred : Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited institution.)

Minimum of seven years of experience in financial operations or a related operations field.

Minimum of three years of experience in a leadership or customer service-focused role.

Previous involvement in Corporate Credit Card system upgrades, enhancements, or implementations preferred

Experience with Concur Expense and Travel and Sage Intacct preferred.

Communication :

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and levels of the organization.

High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Ability to create clarity in gray situations

Positive and professional demeanor with an exemplary customer service mindset.

Organization & Solution-Oriented :

Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.

Strong self-initiative and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and / or projects in a short and compressed time window

Ability to work independently, with minimal ongoing assistance

Ability to work in a dynamic, non-routine environment with shifting priorities where multi-tasking may be required.

Team & Culture :

Strong integrity and deep belief in KIPP’s mission, values, and vision for diversity, equity and inclusion; commitment to the students we educate.

A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture where we are a Team & Family and see people first.

Continuous learner, team player, and self-starter; values a culture of giving and receiving feedback

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance,  fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25 / month.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.