Finance Director

Basic Purpose of the Job

Under general direction of the City Manager's Office, the Finance Director directs the organization's financial management, accounting, and auditing practices to ensure its long-term fiscal health, and serves as an integral part of the City's executive leadership team. The Finance Director provides servant-oriented leadership to all City Departments and staff members by providing technical expertise and knowledge to others throughout the organization in a team-based and collaborative fashion.

Essential Functions

• Direct the preparation, adoption, and administration of the annual operating budget and multi-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Monitor expenditures throughout the fiscal year to ensure organizational compliance with approved funding limits.

• Serve as the custodian of all public funds, executing investment strategies that maximize yields while prioritizing safety and liquidity. Ensure cash flow is sufficient to meet daily municipal operating obligations.

• Coordinate and manage municipal debt issuances, lease-purchase agreements, and bond financing. Monitor compliance with bond covenants and continuing disclosure requirements, maintaining relationships with rating agencies and public finance professionals.

• Ensure all municipal financial activities, reporting, and policies strictly adhere to federal, state, and local laws. Maintain alignment with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

• Translate complex financial data into clear forecasts, revenue projections, and economic models. Present regular and transparent updates and strategic recommendations to City Management, City Council, and Department Heads to guide fiscal policy and administration.

• Lead the preparation for the annual independent external audit. Compile the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and deliver accurate financial statements to City Management and the General Public.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate finance department personnel to foster a high-performance culture based on collaboration and excellence in service. Establish robust internal control systems to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse across all city departments.

Business Acumen

Understand business implications of decisions, demonstrate knowledge of market and aligns work with strategic goals.

Change Management

Communicate change effectively, prepare and support those affected by change, monitor transition and evaluates results.

Communications

Express ideas and thoughts orally and in writing. Exhibit good listening & comprehension; select & use appropriate communication methods.

Managing Customer Focus

Establish, promote, and monitor customer service standards to assure the best outcomes.

Fiscal Responsibility

Prepare annual budget and assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed effectively & efficiently within approved budget; perform cost control activities & cost saving measures; monitor applicable revenues and/or expenditures; manage resources such as personnel, materials, facilities and time effectively.

Managing People

Provide direction and gain compliance, include workers in planning, and take responsibility for their activities; provide regular and specific performance feedback.

Supervision

• Feedback: Establish goals and expectations for workers. Write and conduct employee evaluations.

• Staffing: Ensure position descriptions are accurate and assist in interviewing and selecting candidates appropriate to the work.

• Scheduling: Ensure schedules are set to get the work done in accordance with HR guidelines.

• Training: Assure implementation of job specific training to ensure employee success.

• Coaching: Set and discuss expectations for employee success. Conduct a formal mid-cycle progress review in addition to regular meetings with each subordinate.

• Problem Resolution: Handles or gets assistance with employee issues in a timely manner to prevent escalation of problems and disruption to the department.

• Employee Management: In accordance with HR polices, use established procedures to manage employee behavior. Actions are consistent and provide opportunity for the employee to improve.

Job Requirement

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Related Field from an accredited college.

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or CPA preferred.

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible municipal or public finance experience, including management and supervisory duties.

• Comprehensive knowledge of standard policies and procedures related to local government organizations, and principles of public management and administration, accounting and auditing principles, tax codes, budgeting, cash projections, debt administration, investment fund management and procurement processes.

• Ability to Obtain Colorado Government Finance Officer Certification within 3 years from start of employment.

• Current Colorado driver’s license with acceptable record.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan, administered by UMR. This is a high deductible health plan. You will receive the maximum benefits under the plan and pay a smaller amount out of your pocket when you seek medical treatment from a United Healthcare Choice Plus network provider.

• Dental Insurance: Coverage is offered through UMR to provide dental and orthodontic care. In addition, our dental plan has no network which allows you to see any dentist you prefer.

• Vision Insurance: Coverage is offered through VSP for assistance with contacts, glasses, or other vision needs.

• Health Savings Account: A savings account that is tax-free and interest-bearing that you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses like doctor visits, prescriptions, and emergency room bills. The City of Montrose provides an employer contribution at the beginning of the year.

• Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid policies provide security for you and your family. Additional voluntary plans are available to supplement City-paid plans for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Plan: A defined contribution investment program for non-sworn employees. The City will contribute 8% of your gross base wages. Sworn Police Officers are enrolled in a defined benefit investment program through FPPA.

• Paid Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the majority of City Offices.

• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave: Employees are credited with vacation time each pay period that may be used after the first three (3) months of employment. Employees begin earning/utilizing sick leave immediately.

• Employee Assistance Program: Coverage is through Triad. Triad offers brief, solution-focused counseling for employees, their spouses or significant others, and their dependents under 26. The counseling is free and completely confidential.

• Black Canyon Golf Membership for City Employees: Free employee golf membership and 20% Rusty Putter and Pro Shop discount.

• MRD Community Recreation Center Membership: Deeply discounted membership for employees and their dependents.