Finance Director

We are seeking a Director of Finance to assist the City Manager with all financial matters. We are looking for an experienced Director of Finance that has leadership experience and is well disciplined in government finances. We are conveniently located off highway 694 and highway 100.

The Director of Finance is an integral part of City’s leadership team, providing system-wide financial oversight and internal consultant support to the city manager, department heads, other employees, and city council. The role oversees the finance department and municipal liquor store operations. Acts as the City treasurer and is the model for financial stewardship for others to follow. Director will serve as acting city manager in the absence of both the city manager and deputy city manager. The person in this role leads the effort to brand the finance department and the City of Brooklyn Center as customer-focused, welcoming, and inclusive.

Fiscal strategy and financial management

• Oversees the finance department and ensure alignment with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, GASB pronouncements, GFOA standards, and City ordinances and policies.
• Consults with and provides financial advice to the city manager, department heads, and other employees. Informs city council policymaking.
• Executes the obligations associated with the role of City Treasurer
• Serves as staff liaison to the City's financial advisory commission.
• Establishes and monitors internal controls for all facets of the department.
• Oversees cash management. Conducts cash flow analysis, ensuring adequate amount of cash on hand for monthly expenses and for times of emergency.
• Steward of the City’s purchasing policy.
• Provides oversight to grants and grant fulfillment.
• Responsible for oversight and direction of City’s investments and debt management.
• Manages the City’s request for proposal (RFP) schedule.
• Review contracts over $25,000.
• Responsible for City’s financial risk programs and handling of liability claims.
• Develops and implements the fifteen-year capital improvement plan with other stakeholders.
• Participates in labor negotiations, including, but not limited to, providing financial analysis.
• Develops and implements a five-to-ten-year fiscal sustainability plan.

Budget and financial planning

• Provides timely and accurate financial performance reports and analysis to city manager, department heads and city council. This includes monthly forecasts and summary memos.
• Lead annual budgeting process under the guidance of the City Manager.
• Oversee year-end reporting and audit process, ensuring a clean and timely audit.

Liquor operations

• Ensures profitable, customer-focused operations for liquor stores through supervision of the liquor operations manager.
• Provides advice and guidance to the liquor operations manager to help increase profitability to lessen tax payer burden.
• Sets goals for the liquor operations manager in the areas of net revenue, operational efficiency, customer service and employee engagement.

General

• Ensures employee access to appropriate financial information and financial management systems.
• Prepares ad hoc reports as needed or requested by the city manager or council.

• Provides back-up support for other staff as needed.

• Performs other duties as required

Supervision

• Establish a collaborative, productive, equitable and inclusive work environment.
• Model the values, ethics and performance standards for the team.
• Establish performance goals, assign accountabilities, monitor staff performance and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Delegate work, providing clear expectations regarding due dates, budget and any quality-related requirements.
• Coach and develop staff using a supportive and strengths-based approach.

• Five years of responsible administrative experience and/or management oversight of finance operations in a local government setting or other public agency.
• Five years of enterprise accounting procedures, state laws/regulations related to municipal finance and local government and tax increment financing.
• Three years of expertise in accounting, fund management, and investment techniques.
• Five years of experience leading a budget process to include calendar management, training and education.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance or a related field. A master's degree in related field is highly desired.
• A combination of education and experience maybe considered.

Desired qualifications

• CPA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with municipal government finance.
• Budgeting and forecasting experience preferred.
• Experience with annual reports, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and GASB.
• Previous experience with tax settlements, reconciliations, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and special assessments.
• Previous experience preparing and or coordinating the ACFR.

• Knowledge of Government Accounting Standards Board requirements.
• High level of expertise in municipal accounting, fund management, and investment techniques.
• Knowledge of enterprise accounting procedures, state laws/regulations related to municipal finance and local government and tax increment financing.
• Knowledge of general municipal operations and management practices.
• Advanced level of proficiency in Excel to include creation, including pivot tables and updating existing spreadsheets.
• Previous experience performing financial analysis and reconciliations.
• Effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Effectively uses analytical skills in decision-making process on all financial matters, including both short-term and long-term decisions.
• Committed to establishing a safe, productive, collaborative culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion. Able to build strong relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Exercises sound good judgment, is resourceful, curious and has the ability to solve problems effectively. Able to preserve confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively give and receive feedback. Ability to use tact and diplomacy.
• Takes initiative. Able to work independently with little supervision.
• Detail oriented, dependable, organized, and able to prioritize.