OpenSciEd empowers educators to go beyond traditional science teaching methods by bringing together leading science researchers and educators to craft freely available curriculum that is aligned to how students learn best.
About The Organization
OpenSciEd is on a mission to transform K-12 science education. We create networks of state science leaders, expert learning scientists, curriculum developers, national science education leaders, and classroom teachers to develop, distribute, and support a complete set of robust, research-based, freely available, openly licensed science instructional materials and professional learning resources. Our organization is breaking down barriers and championing the meaningful alignment of science instruction to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). By creating and distributing high-quality, affordable instructional materials, we empower schools and districts to invest in the professional learning teachers need to implement the NGSS effectively.
OpenSciEd's professional learning content plays a pivotal role in driving the widespread adoption of our curriculum and fundamentally transforming science education. OpenSciEd has cultivated a robust network of partners dedicated to advancing science education through material distribution and professional learning facilitation. This network enables us to maintain a small, agile internal team while achieving a significant impact on the field.
One classroom at a time, OpenSciEd is proving that when given the opportunity to experience a high-quality curriculum facilitated by teachers who have had the professional learning they deserve, all students can excel in science.
About The Role
What You'll Do
OpenSciEd is transitioning from being a project under a fiscal agent to establishing itself as a standalone non-profit organization with an annual budget of $4M. The Finance and Operations Manager will be a critical team member in this small, entrepreneurial organization that outsources much of its operational work. This inaugural role will oversee finance, HR, legal, and technology, including managing the relationships and contracts with the outsourced partners for each function while ensuring high-quality service delivery. The Finance and Operations Manager will set up systems and processes across these operational functions to support sustainable growth and seamless operations as OpenSciEd transitions from being fiscally sponsored to an independent 501(c)3; the Finance and Operations Manager must possess the financial knowledge and expertise to establish and oversee the organization's financial infrastructure and financial management in partnership with a fractional CFO and bookkeeper.
Additionally, this role will provide critical support to the Executive Director in producing reports and projections for philanthropic partners and preparing board materials to ensure effective communication with the Board of Directors. A collaborative spirit and a willingness to work closely with the Senior Director of Operations, Educator Success Associate, Executive Director, and other members of the OpenSciEd team will be key in ensuring operational alignment and success.
This role is ideal for an entrepreneurial operations generalist with a penchant for financial management, a willingness to flex based on organizational needs, and a belief in the transformative power of high-quality science education.
Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To
Operational Management
- Oversee the finance, HR, legal, and technology functions; build effective systems and processes for streamlined service delivery from outsourced partners.
- Support leadership in enhancing professional development, compensation & benefits, performance evaluation, training, and recruiting processes.
- Collaborate with outsourced technology partners to evaluate, select, and implement financial systems.
- Manage cost codes, time-tracking, expense reporting, and project management systems.
- In collaboration with the Commercial Partnerships Director, Professional Learning Services Manager, and Educator Success Associate, review and track contracts with school districts.
- Support the planning and logistics of organization-wide retreats and board and staff meetings.
Financial Management
- Facilitate the annual planning/budgeting process with senior leadership and monitor ongoing progress and changes.
- In partnership with the fractional CFO, build new financial systems and processes to support OpenSciEd's successful transition to becoming an independent 501(c)3, including tools to analyze project- and team-level financials.
- Oversee and manage relationships with outsourced finance partners, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and compliance with accounting standards.
- Manage grant budgets, updates, drawdowns, reporting, and refine pricing tables for professional learning services.
- Prepare financial reports for the leadership team, business reviews, and the Board; attend and support board meetings.
- Support the evaluation of market opportunities and partnerships, assessing financial impact.
Outsourced Partner Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison with outsourced partners for finance, legal, HR, and technology support, ensuring clear communication, expectations, and high-quality service delivery.
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of outsourced partners, ensuring they meet the organization's needs and making adjustments as necessary.
- Negotiate contracts, budgets, and invoicing for outsourced services, avoiding duplication and overcharging.
Who You'll Work With
You will report to the
Senior Director, Operations.
You will supervise
Outsourced Operational Consultants, including finance, legal, human resources, and technology consultants.
You will frequently collaborate with the
Executive Director and the
fractional Chief Financial Officer to ensure strong financial reporting to the board and comprehensive annual financial planning.
Required Skills And Experience
- Passionate about educational equity for marginalized youth and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- 5-7 years of operational experience in a complex nonprofit environment (for-profit and/or start-up experience is a plus).
- Strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and financial planning & analysis.
- Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills with diverse stakeholders.
- Adaptable and able to work strategically and tactically.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable in a small, entrepreneurial organization.
- Exceptional time management and planning skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Creative problem-solver with strong decision-making abilities.
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
- Proficient in Quickbooks, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, WordPress, and Salesforce.
- Quick learner of new software and technology.
Equity at OpenSciEd
OpenSciEd celebrates, supports, and thrives on difference and diversity for the benefit of our team members, our partnerships, and our community. We are an equal opportunity employer and hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
Additional Details
OpenSciEd is a virtual organization and this position can be based anywhere in the United States. Work is conducted in your home office or an offsite location. Minimal travel is expected for annual staff retreat.
