Join the Amherst leadership team as the Finance Director!

The Job: The Town of Amherst is looking for a Finance Director! The Finance Director is a key player on the Town of Amherst senior leadership team. The successful candidate will provide collaborative, strategic, and forward-thinking leadership to administer the Town’s Financial Management strategies, policies, and actions. Responsibilities include administering the annual town operating and capital budgets; overseeing accounting, revenue collection systems, and internal controls; financial reporting; debt management; procurement; and contracting. This position will supervise a large, high-quality staff, including the Comptroller, Assessor, Procurement Officer, and Collector. 

The Skills: If you have a Bachelor’s or advanced Degree in business, public administration, accounting, or related field, with 7-10 years’ experience in finance (or any equivalent combination of education and experience); PLUS at least 5 years’ supervisory experience and exceptional analytical and Microsoft Excel skills, APPLY TODAY!

The Deal: The Town enjoys a long tradition of active, participatory, & professional government. Join a talented team working to make Amherst the best, most progressive community in the Commonwealth. Also, Amherst has great employment benefits!

 Amherst seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community. AA/EEO.

See below for a complete position description. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Finance Director (Non-Union Level 10)

Job Summary   Serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Town and a member of the senior leadership team. Provides collaborative, strategic, and forward-thinking leadership to administer the Town’s Financial Management strategies, policies, and actions. Responsible for administering Town operating and capital budgets; disbursement, investment, and management of Town funds; financial reporting and debt management; developing and recommending financial policies and practices, including internal controls procedures; and oversight of accounting, procurement, collections, and assessing. Creates & delivers presentations and is pivotal to advising the Town Manager and Town Council.

Supervision Received Works under the general supervision of the Town Manager who assigns tasks based on overall objectives, reviews work, and evaluates performance.

Supervision Exercised Supervises department managers in the Finance Department, including the Comptroller, Principal Assessor, Procurement Officer, and Treasurer/Collector; and provides senior-level leadership.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides collaborative, strategic and forward-thinking leadership to administer the Town’s financial management programs and services. Work products support directives of the Town Manager and the priorities of the Town;
• Advises the Town Manager, Town Council, and town department heads regarding financial strategies, plans, and management;
• Maintains liaison with investment advisors and contractors;
• Provides functional direction for assigned operational areas;
• Aligns department and divisional goals and objectives to the Town Manager and Town Council goals;
• Reviews, evaluates, and monitors service delivery methods and systems;
• Disseminates and ensures the execution of Town wide financial management, initiatives, policies, and procedures;
• Analyzes financial and economic data and trends; analyzes changes in laws and regulations that affect the town;
• Develops and manages cost and pricing models for specific services. Maintains revenue/expenditure general fund forecasting models and rate-setting enterprise models;
• Prepares and presents recommendations and reports for financial management strategies, policies, and actions;
• Oversees revenue operations of the town, including investment management for town general funds and trust funds, and short-term cash management activities assigned to Assistant Treasurer. Oversees debt management policy and administration, including work with bond counsel and credit rating services; designs maturity schedules for long-term bonds and prepares offering statements;
• Maintains liaison with investment advisers and contractors;
• Collaborates with the Comptroller to oversee the preparation of the Town Manager’s budget and capital improvement program;
• With Town Manager, this position presents, explains and resolves final budget plans. Monitors the implementation and compliance with adopted budgets with Town department heads;
• Through the Comptroller, oversees payroll administration, tax and earnings reporting, and purchasing, procurement, and contracting functions, including authorization of purchase orders and contracts up to limits assigned;
• Serves as Town representative to the Hampshire County Retirement Advisory Committee;
• Oversees tax title programs, accounts and sales, and parking and fine collection systems;
• Supports the management collective bargaining team including in the administration of contracts, recommendations for changes to contract language, and formulation of offers;
• Participates in health insurance discussions; works with Insurance Advisory Committee;
• Supports the management collective bargaining team through administration of contracts, recommendations for changes to contract language, and formulation of offers.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, public administration, accounting, or related field; with 7-10 years’ experience in finance; or any equivalent combination of education and experience;
• 5 years’ supervisory experience;
• Exceptional analytical skills and expert-level Microsoft Excel skills;
• Positive energy, a strong commitment to public service.

Preferred Requirements

• Advanced degree in finance or accounting;
• CPA certification;
• Experience in municipal finance office or other public finance office.

Tools and Equipment Used
General office equipment including computers with a wide variety of software programs.

Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be licensed and able to drive a vehicle.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Selection Guidelines
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

Amherst seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of its community. All are encouraged to apply. AA/EEO.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.