Financial Director

Recruitment is now open for a new position within the Finance Department!

Apply before our first review of applications on April 28, 2026. We will continue to review applications after this date until the position is filled, but priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply prior to the first review date.

As a member of the City’s Executive Management Team, the Finance Director leads, plans, and oversees all financial and treasury operations in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and policies. This role sets the vision and strategic direction for the Finance Department, managing activities including accounting, budget development and oversight, financial reporting, banking and investments, purchasing, auditing, treasury and debt management, and loss prevention. The Finance Director supervises department staff, evaluates performance, and ensures effective internal controls and adherence to ordinances and regulations. 

This position advises the City leadership and elected officials, provides consistent high-level reporting, ensures compliance with all public finance regulations, and safeguards the City's assets. The Finance Director leads a collaborative, forward-thinking budget process aligned with organizational values, and coordinates city-wide strategic financial planning, analysis, and reporting.

About the City of Lake Stevens:

Lake Stevens is a vibrant and growing community with a population of over 40,000 makes us the 4th largest city in the county. 

Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family.The City of Lake Stevens operates under the mayor-council system. The city’s motto, “One Community Around the Lake”, embodies our quality of life, top-ranked school district, and the City Council’s commitment to providing excellent services and amenities for its residents.

Why City of Lake Stevens?

• Work-life balance - We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle.
• Work where you live!

The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Retirement - through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
• Deferred Compensation - with city match.
• Excellent healthcare options - including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA).
• Paid leave - including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.

See our benefits page for a complete list of all the benefits available to the City of Lake Stevens employees.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, organizes and directs city-wide financial administration. Coordinates and plans activities with all city departments in areas of financial management; suggests ideas to accomplish departmental and City objectives supporting the city’s strategic plan. 
• Serves as a confidential employee including the responsibility to inform and advise the Mayor, City Administrator and City Council regarding financial matters.
• Leads and supervises employees in the Finance Department. Oversees, monitors and evaluates assigned staff’s on-going performance and provides direction to attain the goals and objectives; directs necessary adjustments, as required.
• Interviews, trains and hires employees; plans, assists, directs, and evaluates work in progress and upon completion; appraises performance; performs corrective action; recommends promotion and disciplinary actions; addresses complaints; resolves problems; approves/schedules sick leave and vacation time; and recommends terminations as appropriate.
• Directs and oversees city-wide financial planning efforts including but not limited to: the operating budget, capital improvement programs, individual budget for special purpose/non-operating funds, financial forecasting, financial reporting, city investments, monitoring bond rating, maintaining the city’s budgeting model, budget transparency, and preparing bank reconciliations.
• Responsible for the duties and authority of City Treasurer as provided in RCW 35A.42.010, as applicable to the city.
• Responsible for the duties and authority of auditing officer as provided in RCW 42.24.080, as applicable to the city. Coordinates and oversees annual state audit.
• Oversees accounting, purchasing, investments, mandated and discretionary reports accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll in accordance City policies, legal requirements, and generally accepted accounting practices. 
• Prepares the Department’s annual budget; manages department expenditures in accordance with approved budget; assuring the efficient and economical use of City resources.
• Represents the City on a wide variety of committees and organizations in a wide variety of circumstances to further City and Departmental goals, while supporting the city’s strategic plan.
• Analyzes and recommends appropriate financing strategies and funding sources for city services, projects and initiatives consistent with legal and policy requirements and prudent use of city resources. Analyzes major initiatives proposed by city departments and recommends appropriate financial strategies to the City Administrator. 
• Supports the City Administrator in detailed financial analysis related to project financing, long-range planning, and economic development. 
• Supports the city’s technology initiatives including the use of various tools, platforms and AI technology to aid in daily work, provide additional transparency and financial modeling. 
• Maintains regular, predictable and reliable attendance.

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.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration or related field; 

Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in managing governmental finances, including five years’ experience as a supervisor;

Or: Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications. Examples of these skills can be found in the full job description (here).

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• A cover letter explaining your qualifications and why you believe you are a viable candidate for this position
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.