Project Manager, Finance Operations

About the role

This role leads high-impact finance projects and supports DOE billing accuracy for a growing charter school network. The position owner drives initiatives that strengthen operational infrastructure across New York and Florida. You will partner cross-functionally to enhance payroll, accounts payable, and technology platforms. This role requires a pragmatic operator who is comfortable managing change and documenting processes for continuity. You will ensure initiatives move smoothly from design to sustained implementation. The work focuses on reducing manual effort and errors through refined systems and automation. You will own end-to-end project lifecycles in fast-paced, evolving environments.

Key facts

What you'll do

Plan and own end-to-end finance projects from intake through optimization for payroll, accounts payable, and billing. This work ensures initiatives move smoothly from design to sustained implementation. Refine payroll systems, automate accounts payable workflows, and improve operational efficiency to reduce manual effort and errors. Improvements target faster, more reliable financial processing. Track project timelines, risks, and stakeholder communication to keep deliveries on schedule and aligned with priorities. Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining clear priorities. Demonstrate strong Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data reconciliation, and reporting for decision support. Utilize project management tools such as Asana, Jira, Monday.com, or Trello to organize tasks and monitor progress. Gain understanding of financial controls, payroll processes, and compliance requirements to support enterprise system implementation. Collaborate with human resources, school operations, and vendors to align internal and external partners on shared objectives.

Requirements

Hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field.

Bring 5+ years in project management, finance operations, business operations, or a similar role.

Demonstrate you can manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Have experience working with ERP, procurement, payroll, or HRIS platforms such as Zip, Coupa, NetSuite, Workday, or similar systems.

Demonstrate strong Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data reconciliation, and reporting.

Familiarity with project management tools such as Asana, Jira, Monday.com, or Trello.

Understanding of financial controls, payroll processes, and compliance requirements.

Ability to communicate clearly with cross-functional stakeholders at all organizational levels.

Willingness to work in a role that does not sponsor employment-based immigration in the United States.

Practical notes

This role is based in New York and does not sponsor employment-based immigration.

The position is full-time and at-will, and it is not eligible for bonus compensation.

Typical interview steps

Operations interviews usually include a process scenario, an analytics question, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to improve a workflow or plan an event. Attention to detail and clear communication are tested throughout. Interviewers often ask how you would fix a process that is failing. Walking through diagnosis, a plan, and measurement is the winning structure.

Good to know

Project management in finance operations blends system knowledge with communication across teams.

Success here requires comfort with data, disciplined processes, and experience in fast-growth settings.

The role works with enterprise systems such as ERP, HRIS, and procurement tools to enable school-level effectiveness.

Analytical thinking and structured problem solving help improve billing and payroll workflows.

Collaboration with human resources, school operations, and vendors aligns internal and external partners.

Opportunities for professional growth exist within a mission-driven organization focused on public education.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

Career growth

Operations careers grow from coordinator to manager, director, and chief operating officer roles. Some people specialize in supply chain, facilities, or program management. Success depends on reliability and on improving the systems you own. Operations careers reward reliability and continuous improvement. Operators who quantify the impact of their fixes move into leadership fastest.