Director of Finance

The City of Farmers Branch disrupts the traditional perceptions of what municipal government is; instead, we dare to believe in the potential of municipal government through servant leadership. We redefine the local experience for employees, residents, businesses, and guests. We do this under the banner of “We are One City Delivering World-Class Service.” We can’t do this without having the best of the best on our team. If you have made it this far, this might be the place for you and the best job you have ever had. 

The purpose of this position is to serve as the Director of Finance for the City of Farmers Branch directing the accounting, budget, ?nancial planning, revenue collection, accounts payable, treasury, purchasing, debt management and utility billing operations for the City.

1. Responsible for the direction, administration and oversight of multiple areas of financial functions and programs, to include but not limited to:
   • Continually identifies, develops and maintains effective departmental policies and procedures related to all functions of City’s Finances. This function requires keeping pace with key financial trends, changes in local, state and federal laws and ever-changing interdepartmental challenges.
   • Responsible for the workings of the Finance Department to include budget preparation, revenue collection,treasury,debtmanagement,purchasingand ?nancial operations management. 
   • Prepares and monitorsbudgetreportsforvariances.Monitorsexpendituresandrevenueson aconsistentbasistoensurecorrectiveactioncanbemadeinatimelymanner. 
   • Directs and oversees revenue collection to ensure that the City receives all revenues that are due.
   • Identifies, develops, implements and communicates important policy changes on an annual or as-needed basis, with proper input from necessary stakeholders.
   • Continually develops or maintains improvements to processes and service levels, to include the use of technology, automation and ease of use for customers.

1. Oversee, plans and coordinates all budgetary planning and execution for the City, to include but not limited to:
   • Coordinates and directs the preparation of budget and ?nancial forecasts; institutes and maintains planning and forecasting procedures.
   • Develops and coordinates budget development for the ?scal year, mid-year, and year-end budgets.
   • In conjunction with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager, meets with all Department Directors to determine and prioritize budget requests.
   • Develops and analyzes revenue and expenditure projections on a short and long-term basis.
   • Develops and coordinates revenue studies and surveys to determine appropriate tax and fee levels.
   • Analyzes, reviews, and makes recommendations necessary to minimize the growth of City liabilities.

1. Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates all aspects of the City’s accounting systems, grant management and audit processes, to include but not limited to, the following functions:
   • Ensures accounting and ?nancial activities are conducted in compliance with generally accepted accounting and governmental practices and procedures, and GASB directives andpracticeswithintheguidelinesandpoliciesestablishedbytheCityCouncil and City Manager. 
   • Directs and oversees grant management to ensure compliance with appropriate requirements and laws. 
   • Recommends, implements, and monitors appropriate ?nancial benchmarks to ensure the creditworthiness of the City. 
   • Ensures internal control systems are in place throughout the organization to protect City assets.
   • Forecasts short-term and long-term cash requirements and obligations. Meets the requirements of state law as Chief Investment O?cer of the City through Public Funds Investment Act training.
   • Monitors ?nancial institution condition to ensure cash/investments are protected. Directs and oversees the cash management and investment activities of the City in compliance with City policy and state law.
   • Directs and coordinates debt management. Directs and oversees debt service payments. Analyzes long-term debt for opportunities to lower interest costs.
   • Develops and presents debt management options necessary to achieve City goals. Presents to bond rating agencies to maintain favorable bond ratings. Develops, analyzes, and recommends tax rate strategies and options. Evaluates and recommends debt issuance versus pay-as-you-go strategies.

1. Effectively manages, develops and motivates the Finance team, to include, but not limited to, the following functions:
   • The effective recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention of associated staff and volunteers. 
   • Continual performance management of staff through evaluations, coaching, development and other opportunities that promote growth, learning and engagement.
   • Demonstrates effective and professional leadership through active engagement, involvement, and equitable treatment of all staff members.
   • Consistently and effectively models the behavioral, performance and service-level expectations of the Finance team.
   • Maintains professional, cordial, conciliatory and facilitative communication at all times, regardless of circumstance or situation.

• Prepares presentations, reports and other related documents for all audiences and interest groups.
• This position is expected to step into the roles of any direct or in-direct report at any time, and effectively perform any and all associated operational functions.
• Other functions not specifically designated within the scope of essential functions. These extra functions will be temporary in nature and/or as business necessity dictates.

1. Eight (8) years of experience is required, ten (10) years of experience is preferred, in progressively responsible municipal or similar ?nance positions that includes supervisory, accounting, and auditing responsibilities with preference given to experience in a municipality.
2. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a similar ?eld is required. Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a similar ?eld is preferred.
3. Certifed Public Accountant (CPA), Certi?ed Government Finance O?cer (CGFO), or similar experience is preferred.
4. An equivalent combination of the above experience and education to satisfy the minimum requirements of the position.

• Advanced knowledge of finance, budget, audit and GASB practices and procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting, auditing, cash management, ?nancial reporting, general ledger systems, purchasing practices, bonds, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects and their compliance with generally accepted principles and federal and state regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of financial operations.
• Advanced skill in interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
• Advanced skill in the de-escalation of sensitive or aggressive customer/vendor/citizen issues.
• Advanced skill in analyzing data, identifying trends and creating actionable data strategies.
• Strong project management skills and experience with project management methodologies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to simultaneously coordinate multiple tasks and priorities and support multiple individuals, teams, and work groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain project schedules and balance responsibilities for multiple projects.
• Ability to continually demonstrate practical knowledge, analytical judgements and informed decision-making.
• Ability to provide technical, practical or functional knowledge related to job functions.
• Ability to effectively inform, educate, persuade or influence others related to job functions and necessary outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively on technical, interpersonal and professional levels to diverse audiences, communities and interest groups.
• Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule that may regularly include weekends, evenings and holidays. Must be able to work in-office, in the field or in designated satellite environments.

Salary : $149,397 - $190,000