Finance Manager- Budget & Research

Performs professional level work managing, directing, and supervising the activities and performance of various operations of the Budget & Research division of the Finance Department, including but not limited to development and management of the City's annual operating and capital budgets, long range planning and forecasting efforts, revenue estimating and monitoring, and compliance with state and municipal ordinances. Leads and manages activities; develops goals and objectives; manages staff; prepares and monitors budgets; special projects as assigned.

The ideal candidate has experience leading annual budget development and managing long-range forecasts. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to present financial data to senior leadership and City Council. A focus on continuous improvement dealing with budget systems and processes is highly valued. Successful in this role requires critical thinking, sound decision-making, and the ability to turn complex financial data into clear, actionable recommendations aligned with financial policies, state statute, and/or budgeting best practices.

At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals that are committed to build and maintain a highly engaged workforce. You will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess these six core values:

Adaptability - Integrity - Initiative - Empathy - Optimism – Innovation

 Only a limited number of the most qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will consist of a panel interview. All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email- please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as it will come from a system generated source. 

• Leads the City’s annual budget development process; prepares associated multi-year financial plans; promotes consistency of multi-year financial plans and annual budgets; engages in the preparation and presentation of the City’s annual budget to City Council.  Provides for development and review of policies, procedures, internal controls and performance measures used to manage the City’s financial operations. 
• Researches, prepares, and reviews recommendations on financial and policy issues and analysis; writes complex reports and correspondence; enforces applicable laws, ordinances, City charter, and Council resolutions concerning fiscal and budgetary regulations; provides support to staff; prepares and presents Council reports; evaluates and interprets financial and policy directives; provides recommendations and reports summarized findings.
• Manages budget staff by planning and prioritizing tasks, ensuring policy and procedure development and compliance, recommending changes and adjustments, and monitoring staff performance and development. Reviews and evaluates staff work product.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with other departments. Ensures delivery of high quality customer service; including communication to anticipate budget issues and provide solutions; provides interpretations of financial policies and procedures, participates in coordinating the exchange of information within the organization.
• Provides leadership in the development, implementation and maintenance of technology to improve work processes and system utilization.  Researches and recommends system upgrades, replacements and process improvements.  Ensures the long term viability of systems through training and testing.
• Manages customer service related to the Budget & Research Division which includes fostering staff to be proactive in understanding the business processes of other departments to assist in improving budget and operational processes City-wide.

• Formal Education/Knowledge:  Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field.  Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience:  Minimum five years of experience in a related field.
• Certifications and Other Requirements:  Valid Driver's License
• Reading:  Work requires the ability to read and interpret state statutes, federal laws, city ordinances, technical reports and publications, legal documents, development agreements, policies and procedures at college level.
• Math:  Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and advanced level algebra.
• Writing:  Work requires the ability to write general correspondence, technical reports, agreements, council documents, public information, and financial budget  reports at a college level.
• Managerial:  Complex – Work requires managing and monitoring work performance of a division including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department.
• Budget Responsibility:  Significant – Has responsibility for final approval of at least one division budget and presents the budget(s) to Senior Management.  Is authorized to approve budgeted amendments for city staff and resources up to amounts defined by city policy.
• Policy/Decision Making:  Significant - The employee normally performs the duty assignment according to his or her own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Projects and daily work are managed with little oversight; however special assignments and significant work products may be reviewed upon completion. Typically positions in this category are supervisor to mid- management jobs.
• Technical Skills:  Comprehensive Application - Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs, solutions for highly complex issues, and/or processes organization-wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.
• Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills:  Moderate - Interactions at this level typically result in recommendations regarding policy development, changes in policy, and implementation of policies. Interactions at this level are typically concerned with providing communications at higher levels of organizational operations and may utilize activities such as evaluating customer satisfaction, developing cooperative associations, and allocating resources to improve work operations, work quality, overall achievement of organizational goals and objectives, and customer satisfaction.

1. Gain a thorough understanding of the job and roles of all budget staff by reviewing and familiarizing yourself with the budget division onboarding document.

1. Meet with Department Directors and build a working relationship built on trust, transparency, and customer service.

1. Meet at least weekly with your Deputy Director to ask questions, solicit feedback, and prioritize work tasks.

1. Lead and mentor the budget team helping them learn and grow in their roles by promoting a culture of accountability, teamwork, and information sharing. 

1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of city financial policies, city schedules, and other governing documentation to assist with decision making, budget development, and oversight of city budgets.

1. Prioritize the documentation and standardization of processes, taking the lead on reviewing, adding, and updating our key work tasks.

1. Coordinate & review the timely, accurate, and thorough completion of all our recurring financial reports.

1. As part of budget development, update and roll all long-range revenue & expenditure forecasts.

1. Lead the coordination of activities related to the FY2028 budget process. Leverage the use of our budget software for reporting.

1. Provide day-to-day support and customer service to departments by anticipating budget issues & assisting budget staff with doing the same.

Salary : $108,099 - $160,473