Director of Budget and Strategy

General Statement of Duties

Hiring Range: $97,949 - $151,824
Open Until Filled
This position administers, prepares, and maintains the City's budget, oversees the administration of grants, and facilitates strategic planning processes.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages the preparation, maintenance, review/analysis, and presentation of the city’s preliminary and final annual operating budget.
• Routinely forecasts the City's short and long-term financial condition and develops response recommendations for City Administration and Council.
• Prepares the annual City budget, initializes budget process in MUNIS, analyzes historical trends in revenues and expenditures, and assists all City departments in preparing, keying and balancing budget requests; schedules and participates in Manager/Department budget meetings, sets up new budget accounts; recommends and makes changes to budget documents, and creates and designs budget presentation and books.
• Prepares the Annual Budget Document submitted for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program including compiling departmental performance measures and updating Capital Improvement budget requests; designs charts, graphs and tables, and organizes printing and distribution of the document.
• Prepares a variety of financial reports and provides a monthly budget report/update to management and City Council.
• Reviews, verifies and approves budget amendments.
• Leads and oversees the City's strategic planning efforts including annual updates to the City's Strategic Plan and ensuring resource alignment. Serves as a resource to City departments long range strategic efforts, including capital and operational resource allocation planning, Identifies emerging industry trends, recommends new initiatives, and identifies/adjusts strategic priorities through data analysis and continuous improvement.
• Establishes governance and reporting structures to encourage accountability and improvement.
• Conducts studies, prepares, and presents senior management level reports providing sufficient detail to support organizational and departmental long-term planning, problem-solving and management actions.
• Oversees the City's grants administration function including identification of grant opportunities and required financial and performance reporting. Assists the Finance Director by providing technical guidance to technical accounting staff and preparing a variety of financial records, reports, spreadsheets and analyses; assists with the annual financial audit through data collection; interprets fiscal policies and practices for the department.
• Attends and presents at City Council, staff, and professional meetings as required.
• Performs related tasks and special projects as related or assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of municipal accounting, finance and budgeting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the state and federal laws and local ordinances applicable to budget preparation approval and administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the functions and operations of municipal and county agencies.
• Working knowledge of automated fiscal and financial systems.
• Ability to analyze and develop budget estimates.
• Ability to develop and conduct technical training programs.
• Ability to conduct detailed research and to design and prepare analytical and interpretive financial reports, statements, and records.
• Ability to problem-solve and analyze complex processes, operations and data.
• Ability to think and communicate strategically with exceptional analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in written format with a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work across multiple City departments.
• Ability to take initiative including taking prompt action to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to attend work regularly.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, government officials, superiors, and other employees.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Master’s in public administration, Certified Public Accountant and/or Budget Officer Accreditation is preferred.
• Experience in North Carolina local government.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Accounting, or Business Administration, and a minimum of five years professional experience in a local government organization.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Other Necessary Requirements

• JOB RELATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

This position primarily operates in an office setting, performing mostly sedentary work. Physical activity related to this position may include constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and printer, frequently moving about the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. and communicating information and ideas so others will understand. Sufficient visual acuity is required to prepare and analyze data and figures and do extensive reading. May require physical exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. An employee in this position will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Employee must have the stamina to work for extended periods, some of which may be in emergency situations. Considerable mental effort and stress are involved which could result in discomfort and ineffectiveness.

Benefit Information

• Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Pay for Performance
• Medical Expense Assistance
• Alive and Well Program
• Onsite Health Clinic
• Onsite dietitian service
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability & Long Term Disability
• 401k, Roth, and 457 plans available
• Employer 401k contribution match
• Education Assistance
• Breavement Leave
• Paid Volunteer Hours
• Birthday Holiday
• Special Separation Allowance
• Retirement Incentive Pay
• Wellness Benefits
• Access to Cannon Baller Suite Tickets
• Continued Health Insurance at Retirement
• Paid YMCA Membership
• Onsite fitness centers