Director of Finance & Management Services (U)

As a future member of our team, you’ll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in San Bernardino County, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city’s evolving identity.

San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It’s a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

Finance is organized into specialized divisions — Accounting, Budget, Business Registration, Grants, Payroll, Purchasing, Treasury, and Administrative Support — that collaborate across City operations. With a commitment to strong internal controls, efficiency, and public trust, the department plays a vital role in protecting the City’s financial integrity and supporting long-term prosperity.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and forward-thinking finance executive who values public service, transparency, and equity. This position offers the opportunity to lead a talented team, modernize financial practices, and ensure the City’s resources are managed wisely to serve the community today and into the future.

Key opportunities and challenges include:

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Guide the City's multi-year budgeting, financial planning, and reporting processes to ensure sustainability, accountability, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee Finance and Management Services operations, identifying process improvements, technology enhancements, and best practices to optimize service delivery.
• Public Trust & Transparency: Strengthen confidence in City finances through clear, accessible reporting, community engagement, and proactive communication with stakeholders.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Ensure adherence to regulatory standards, accounting principles, and internal controls, mitigating risk and safeguarding public resources.
• Technology & Innovation: Modernize financial systems and implement innovative tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with department heads, City leadership, and external partners to provide strategic financial guidance and support complex initiatives.
• Capital Planning & Investments: Support long-term capital projects and investment strategies to maximize fiscal impact while maintaining alignment with the City’s goals.

Key qualities include:

• Inspirational leadership and team-building skills

• Advanced knowledge of public sector financial management, reporting, and auditing

• Experience overseeing budgets, payroll, treasury operations, and financial systems

• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving capabilities

• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to diverse audiences

• Commitment to transparency, equity, and operational efficiency

• Skilled in building partnerships with internal teams, elected officials, and community stakeholders

• Leading a morning executive meeting to review departmental priorities, budget updates, and financial performance

• Collaborating with the City Manager and executive team on fiscal strategy, capital projects, and policy initiatives

• Reviewing and approving budget adjustments, funding allocations, and financial reports

• Engaging with auditors, regulatory agencies, or financial partners to ensure compliance and best practices

• Meeting with department heads to provide guidance on financial planning, operational efficiency, and performance metrics

• Representing the City at public forums, commissions, or stakeholder meetings to communicate financial information and progress

• Conducting site visits or technology reviews to observe operations, connect with staff, and identify improvement opportunities

• Closing the day evaluating long-term goals, fiscal strategies, and opportunities to strengthen financial stewardship and community impact

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field; and at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience, at least five (5) of which were in a management capacity; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. 

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:

A valid California driver’s license is required. Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant is preferred. 

• Principles and practices of general, fund, and governmental accounting.
• Principles and practices of cost and fixed asset accounting.
• Internal control and audit principles and practices.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) accounting standards and requirements.
• Principles and practices of public agency budgeting.
• Principles, methods, practices, and legal requirements for public agency capital financing.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
• City operations, functions, and challenges and associated financial management issues.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Organization, functions, legal requirements, operations, rules, and practices of the City Council.
• Research methods and statistical and financial analysis techniques.
• City human resources policies and procedures, Personnel Rules and labor contract provisions.
• Principles and practices of computer-based financial and accounting systems.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication.
• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.
• Uses and operations of computers and standard business software.

• Planning, directing, managing, coordinating, and integrating the work of staff engaged in preparing and maintaining City-wide financial records and reports.
• Defining complex management, fiscal, budget, and strategic planning issues.
• Performing difficult analyses and research, evaluating alternatives, and developing sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Analyzing and making sound recommendations on complex accounting and financial issues, data, and operations.
• Understanding, interpreting, explaining, and applying federal, state, and local policy, law, regulations, and court decisions regulating the City's financial accounting, reporting and record keeping.
• Developing and implementing sound financial and accounting procedures and controls.
• Defining issues, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives, and developing sound, independent conclusions, and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and policies. 
• Representing the City effectively in negotiations and other dealings on a variety of difficult, complex, sensitive, and confidential issues.
• Maintaining files, records, and documentation.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. 
• Maintaining confidentiality of City documents and records. 
• Exercising sound, expert, and independent judgement within general policy guidelines.
• Exercising tact and diplomacy in interpersonal dealings with sensitive situations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City management, elected officials, labor organizations, other governmental officials, employees, applicants, complainants and others encountered in the course of work.

Application Process

To be considered for this opportunity, a detailed cover letter and resume must be attached to your application. 

The cover letter must include:

• Your interest in the position
• A summary of your relevant experience
• Any additional qualifications that make you a strong candidate

Incomplete applications or those without a cover letter will not be considered.

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment will remain open until filled, or until a sufficient number of applications have been received. 

**First review of applications scheduled for the week of October 6, 2025; dates subject to change at the discretion of Human Resources**

All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City’s official website at www.sbcity.org. This recruitment will remain open until filled or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.

Successful candidates shall be required to: 

• Pass a reference and background check including degree verification and/or Credit Check. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. 
• Pass a pre-employment medical exam, which may include a Tuberculosis (TB) Exam, and/or Drug screen. 
  

E-Verify Participation

The City of San Bernardino participates in the E-Verify program. In compliance with federal law, all employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals hired to work in the United States.

Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov

Disclaimers

The City of San Bernardino is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City follows a nepotism policy, which may impact hiring decisions if an applicant has relatives currently employed by the City.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at (909)998-2060. 

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Human Resources at (909)998-2060. Additional information is available at www.sbcity.org.

Salary : $186,932 - $227,207