Finance Director

About the role

The City of DuPont is seeking a Finance Director to lead financial operations and support the City's long-term fiscal health. This role is ideal for someone with strong technical expertise in budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting, and a practical, hands-on approach in a small city environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Finance Department.
• Lead long-range financial planning and forecasting to support decision making by the City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council.
• Support the City’s adopted goals and priorities through sound financial analysis and stewardship of public resources.
• Work collaboratively with department directors and staff across the City on budget development, financial planning, and management of City finances.
• Serve in a hands-on working director capacity by participating in and overseeing day-to-day financial operations.
• Under the general guidance of the City Administrator, oversee the planning, management, and stewardship of City funds, including budgeting, accounting, treasury, and utility billing functions.
• Lead the development and implementation of the City’s budget in alignment with Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices, including performance-based budgeting, long-range financial planning, and transparent financial communication.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in the stewardship of public funds.
• Serve as part of the City’s leadership team, supporting sound fiscal policy and decision-making.
• Supervise, evaluate, and continually improve the performance of assigned personnel.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or closely related field; AND Four years of progressively responsible professional accounting or financial management work experience, including supervisory and/or management responsibility.
• Any combination of related education and experience or training that in the opinion of the City would provide the level of knowledge, skills and abilities required.
• A master’s degree and/or CPA certification desired.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of effective management, including supervision, motivation, problem solving, decision making, leadership, human relations, and diplomacy.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated skill in municipal finance.
• Advanced knowledge of governmental financial management and budgeting principles and strategies.
• Knowledge of governmental fund accounting principles.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards (GASB), and their application in a municipal environment.
• Knowledge of GFOA budgeting best practices, including performance-based budgeting, strategic planning integration, and long-term financial forecasting.
• Advanced skill in financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information, both verbally and in writing to the City Administrator, Mayor, City Council, media, and the public in a non-technical manner that facilitates understanding and decision-making.
• Skilled presenter to groups in a variety of settings, including the City council and community groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the City and with external agencies and partners.
• Ability to plan, direct, and control the operations and functions assigned to the Finance Department.
• Knowledge of operations management techniques, processes or principles for the key operations of the department including cash management, treasury functions, and audit processes.
• Proficiency in the use of automated systems, including word processing, spreadsheet software, and financial systems software.
• Ability to attract, retain, and motivate a competent and professional staff.
• Ability to remain flexible to changing priorities and effectively manage multiple projects, deadlines, and interruptions.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer service within the department and across the City.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards governing municipal finance, accounting, and financial reporting.
• Ability to conduct research and apply analytical and statistical methods to evaluate financial data, trends, and operational performance.

Skills

• Strong technical expertise in budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting.
• Practical, hands-on approach in a small city environment.
• Strategic leadership and decision-making skills.
• Collaborative problem-solving and communication abilities.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Effective leadership and management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.

Benefits

• Exceptional health benefits featuring 100% covered family medical insurance with employees contributing only $50 per month, fully covered vision insurance, and affordable dental premiums ranging from $2.30 to $69.10 per month based on plan selection.
• Retirement benefits include participation in WA State Department of Retirement System (PERS), and a City contribution of $100 per month to one of three Deferred Compensation 457(b) plans.
• Flexible and alternative work schedules, along with generous time-off benefits including 168 vacation hours (front-loaded each January), 7 floating holidays, and 12 paid holidays annually.

Pay

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

The City of DuPont offers a flexible schedule to promote work-life balance and supports employee well-being.