Director of Finance and Administrative Services

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Finance and Administrative Services is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the City’s Finance Department, including guiding day-to-day decision-making processes and ensuring the effective administration of financial planning, budgeting, treasury management, accounting, financial reporting, payroll, debt service, utility billing, and risk management. Additionally, the Director supervises and provides financial oversight for the City’s Human Resources division, Information Technology division, and Assessing contract. Acting as a key advisor to the City Administrator and City Council, the Director offers recommendations on fiscal, technology, and employee policies to enhance the City's financial stability and organizational health. Under the general direction of the City Administrator, the Director independently leads financial operations, policy development, and departmental management, overseeing both professional and clerical staff directly and indirectly.

**To be considered for the position, please apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/champlin

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to ensure accurate and efficient financial operations across all departments.
• Develops and maintains internal procedures and controls for municipal revenues and expenditures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Oversees all municipal functions related to the preparation, auditing, presentation, and disbursement of claims, demands, and payroll, ensuring compliance and accuracy in all financial transactions.
• Manages major financial service contracts including auditing, accounting, consulting, investment management, assessing, risk management, and technology.
• Manages the City’s debt issuance, maintaining strong relationships with bond counsel and financial advisors.
• Assists the City Administrator with the analysis, recommendations, and preparation of the City’s annual budget and ten-year capital improvement plan, including presenting recommendations and financial impacts throughout the budget process.
• Manages all investment activities to ensure the security, growth, and optimal management of the City’s financial assets.
• Supervises the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and the City Council, and prepares the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Oversees the design and administration of the City’s insurance plans for liability, casualty, workers compensation and property insurance programs, including risk management, coverage analysis, procurement, and loss prevention strategies.
• Ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and all federal, state, and local financial and grant requirements.
• Stays informed of emerging financial trends, developments, and regulatory changes impacting municipal finance.
• Oversees the City’s Information Technology Division ensuring secure, efficient, and reliable networks and data systems across the organization.
• Provides strategic direction for Human Resources, ensuring compliance with employment laws, employee relations best practices, and benefits administration. 
• Conducts multi-year financial forecasting for all City fund reserves and recommends revenue sources, utility rates, and other necessary studies as needed.
• Develops and maintains the City’s ten-year financial management plan, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals.
• Communicates financial information, key issues, and develops policy recommendations to elected officials, advisory bodies, City departments, and the public in a clear and transparent manner.
• Coordinates financial activities with other government agencies and serves as a key liaison for interdepartmental collaboration.
• Represents the City at financial meetings, professional organizations, and community town hall meetings.
• Assists City Administration and HR with development of negotiation strategies for contracts for unionized employees and participates in union negotiations as needed.
• Advises the City Administrator on fiscal, technology and human resource policies, contributing to the development, recommendations, and approval of City-wide organizational strategies.
• Oversees, motivates, and evaluates Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology staff by fostering leadership development, setting work priorities and performance standards, monitoring performance, providing constructive feedback, addressing deficiencies, and taking disciplinary action as needed in consultation with the City Administrator.
• Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.  

KNOWELDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge municipal accounting, auditing, and financial management, including proprietary funds and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Strong understanding of compliance requirements in administering federal, state and local grants.
• Proficiency of municipal finance administration, including budget development, practices, capital improvement plans, and financial forecasting.
• Ability to apply sound administrative and fiscal practices to support the City's financial stability and growth.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, comprehensive financial reports and presentations.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to prepare accounting and financial data projections and analysis.
• Effective leadership and supervisory management, including hiring, training, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
• Strategic advisory expertise, providing financial insight and policy recommendations to the City Administrator, City Council, and City departments.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects independently, while adhering to directions and established protocol with little direction.
• Strong decision-making abilities exercising discretion, considering all factors, evaluating alternatives, and independent judgement in a timely manner.
• Ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to foster both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment; contributing openly, respectfully debating ideas, actively listening, and working towards consensus.
• Ability to work as part of a team and establish and maintain good and positive working relationships with the general public, City Council, contractors, businesses, staff, and other government agency personnel, displaying political agility and discretion.
• Proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and financial software.
• Ability to identify issues and proactively address them to position the City in a positive manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental accounting or auditing.
• 3 years of experience in management capacity or leadership role.
• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Excel and accounting software.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or closely related field.
• 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental accounting or auditing.
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Management experience in the finance department of a government organization of similar size or larger.
• Experience overseeing Human Resource functions within an organization.
• Experience overseeing Information Technology functions within an organization.

SUPERVISION

Position is responsible for overseeing following divisions: Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. This position is responsible for direct supervision of Utility Billing Specialist, Assistant Finance Director, IT Director, and HR Generalist. The role works independently with little supervision and is responsible for leading the finance and administrative services functions for the organization.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The typical work hours for this position are 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Other hours will be required, as this position is responsible to attend City Council meetings and other meetings as necessary.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental and Physical Conditions: 

• Indoor and outdoor environments; exposure to computer screens; working closely with others; frequent interruptions. Possible exposure to inclement weather conditions, exposure to working with moving objects/vehicles. Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, walking for prolonged periods of time; kneeling, climbing, bending, and stooping, moderate lifting and carrying; general manual dexterity; adequate hearing, vision, and speech required; and must be able to operate assigned equipment and vehicles.