AOE Education Finance Director

at State of Vermont in Montpelier, Vermont, United States

Job Description

The Vermont 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

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.