The Ancona School (Ancona) is an independent school located in Chicago's historic Hyde Park Kenwood community, educating students 3 years old through 8th grade. Since our founding in 1962, Ancona has been dedicated to diversity in both our community and our curriculum, which draws upon the Montessori and Progressive Education models. Social justice education is the cornerstone of Ancona’s mission as a school; it informs what we teach and how we teach it. At every grade level, Ancona students learn to identify inequality and are empowered to address injustice in the world.
At Ancona, we seek diversity in our faculty and staff to broaden students’ academic experience and to enrich our school community. Ancona is looking for individuals who will contribute to our social justice mission and embrace the rich diversity of our school and city as we prepare our students for an increasingly complex world. Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of, and possess an interest in, working in a school community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and disability status.
About the Business and Human Resources Manager Position
The Business and Human Resources Manager is a part of the school's Business Office and a key member of the Ancona administrative team. They are responsible for three broad umbrellas related to daily business operations: accounts payable and receivable, student billing, and purchasing. This role also serves as the school’s HR point person, managing payroll, on/off-boarding, employee benefits, and the implementation of HR policies and practices.
This is an on-site, full-time (exempt), year-round position.
Scope of Responsibilities
Accounts Payable and Receivable
1. Process all invoices, payment authorizations, and employee reimbursement requests.
2. Serve as point person for outside vendors: answer inquiries, ensure timely invoice processing, and conduct research—communicating with internal and external stakeholders—to reconcile billing discrepancies.
3. Record paid invoices in accounting system and maintain accounts payable files.
4. Manage all funds received: run reports, maintain key data from banking partners and tuition management system, enter, and record deposits, donations, and pledge payments into accounting system.
5. Participate in the monthly close alongside the Senior Staff Accountant and other members of the administration.
6. Oversee student accounts in tuition management system.
7. Serve as main point of contact for families regarding their accounts: answer questions, prepare statements, communicate proactively regarding past-due accounts, and manage all student billing reconciliation.
8. Collaborate with the Director of Admissions and Enrollment and the Director of Technology and Operations to review enrollment contracts, ensuring contracts are issued with proper tuition amounts and only to students in good standing.
9. Manage payments for added services (e.g. Afterschool, music lessons, etc.), creating purchase links for parents and updating tuition management system to reflect the purchase of these services.
Purchasing
1. Manage and oversee the purchase order process, verify that purchases are within budget, and serve as purchasing subject matter expert.
2. Place orders, manage credit card accounts and payments, and keep stakeholders informed about purchase timelines.
3. Collaborate with Director of School Culture on student travel purchases (i.e. airline tickets and bus requests).
Human Resources
1. Act as primary point of contact for employee human resources at Ancona: answer questions, address concerns, confirm benefits enrollments, and support employees with HR-related requests.
2. Collaborate with Head of School and Director of Technology and Operations to develop and enforce HR policies and procedures.
3. Onboard employees from point of hire: request background checks, coordinate with IT for new employee accounts, and ensure receipt of all hiring documents.
4. Process bi-monthly payroll, and manage delivery of W-2 and 1099 forms to employees and contractors.
5. Act as administrator of the school’s TIAA 403(b) retirement account plan.
6. Interface with insurance brokers, negotiating to ensure robust benefits package, and manage yearly Open Enrollment process.
7. Maintain personnel files, ensure workplace policies are followed, and assist (as needed) in any workplace grievances.
8. Assist with employee offboarding, ensuring that all documentation is completed for employee departure.
Additional Responsibilities
The Business and Human Resources Manager will participate in the annual audit, attend Finance Committee meetings, and serve on the Operational Leadership Team. Attendance at occasional events outside the typical workday (e.g. the annual Gala) may be required.
Required Qualifications
1. 3+ years working in business administration and/or human resources (or equivalent applicable experience).
2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
3. High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
4. Strong aptitude for technology and web-based business office tools; proficiency in spreadsheet software (Excel/Google Sheets) required.
5. Ability to prioritize and solve problems creatively and with good judgment to achieve mission-critical results.
6. Understanding of HR compliance and legal requirements.
Preferred Education and Experience
1. Bachelor’s degree in business management, finance, or a related field.
2. Familiarity with Blackbaud suite of applications (Tuition Management, Raisers Edge, Financial Edge).
3. Experience working in a mission-driven school or non-profit organization highly desirable.
Reporting Structure
The Business and Human Resources Manager reports to the Head of School.
Salary The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000+ annually, depending on experience. In addition, Ancona offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement It is the policy of Ancona School not to discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation or national origin. This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, selection for training including apprenticeship, layoff, and termination.
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