Assistant Finance Director - Budgeting

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for directing the development, coordination, monitoring, and administration of the City’s annual operating and capital budgets. Work involves leading citywide budget strategy, developing revenue and expenditure forecasts, overseeing complex financial analyses, advising departments and executive leadership, preparing periodic financial reports for the City Council, and translating financial information into recommendations that support organizational priorities and policy decisions.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Finance Director and requires the exercise of independent judgment, technical expertise, confidentiality, and initiative. The position works collaboratively with the City Manager’s Office, department directors, elected officials, and appointed officials on budget development, fiscal monitoring, performance measurement, and implementation of adopted plans and initiatives.

The classification is distinguished by responsibility for citywide budget administration, complex financial analysis, and coordination of budget processes across multiple departments.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:      

• Directs, plans, coordinates, and administers the City’s annual operating and capital budget process in accordance with applicable laws, policies, procedures, and organizational priorities.
• Develops and maintains the annual budget calendar and ensures timely completion of required budget activities and statutory requirements.
• Leads budget preparation activities with City departments and provides technical assistance, guidance, direction, and accountability throughout the budget process.
• Reviews departmental budget requests for accuracy, completeness, policy compliance, fiscal impact, and alignment with adopted plans and priorities.
• Develops and presents budget recommendations, reports, presentations, and supporting materials for executive management, elected officials, and other stakeholders to support policy direction and resource allocation decisions.
• Leads the development of multi-year financial plans, capital improvement programs, and long-range financial strategies in coordination with executive leadership and department directors.

• Leads and facilitates budget meetings with department directors, executive leadership, and other internal stakeholders to resolve issues, communicate priorities, and advance budget recommendations.
• Performs revenue forecasting, expenditure trend analysis, cost analysis, and other financial analyses and develops recommendations to support budget development, fiscal decision-making, and long-range financial strategy.
• Conducts long-range financial forecasting and fiscal impact analyses related to programs, projects, staffing, policy proposals, and organizational initiatives.
• Evaluates the financial implications of proposed legislation, ordinances, policies, agreements, and operational changes.
• Develops and maintains financial models, budget documents, schedules, dashboards, and reports to support management analysis and decision-making.
• Monitors fund balances, revenues, expenditures, and budget performance and recommends corrective actions as appropriate.
• Analyzes operational efficiencies, service levels, staffing, and cost-saving opportunities and prepares related recommendations.
• Provides periodic revenue, expenditure, and budget status reports to department heads and executive leadership.
• Reviews, processes, and monitors budget transfers, amendments, and related budgetary transactions.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc budget performance reports.
• Participates in fiscal year-end budget closeout activities and coordinates with Finance staff on related reporting and reconciliation activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting, public finance, municipal accounting, and financial administration.
• Budget development, budget monitoring, revenue forecasting, expenditure analysis, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Capital improvement planning, long-range financial planning, performance measurement, and strategic financial analysis.
• Government accounting standards and applicable financial reporting requirements.
• Fund accounting, including enterprise funds, special revenue funds, grant budgeting, and related budgetary controls.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to public budgeting and financial administration.
• Financial systems, spreadsheet applications, reporting tools, and methods used to analyze and present complex financial information.
• Principles of effective communication, customer service, project coordination, and interdepartmental collaboration.

Ability to:

• Analyze complex financial, operational, and statistical data and prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports.
• Develop financial models, forecasts, budget recommendations, and long-range financial strategies.
• Interpret and explain budgetary and financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Exercise sound independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage sensitive financial information appropriately.
• Organize work, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, appointed officials, executive leadership, department directors, employees, and the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including preparing and delivering presentations to executive leadership and elected officials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a closely related field.

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental budgeting, financial management, accounting, public finance, or a closely related area.
• Proven experience presenting financial information to executive leadership, elected officials, or public bodies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline.
• Experience in municipal government budgeting or financial administration.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.