Principal Budget & Research Analyst

This position provides leadership to a team of professional analysts engaged in the annual budget process. It coordinates and oversees key phases of budget development, including the operating budget, capital improvement program, and revenue projections. Responsibilities include reviewing and monitoring budgets, conducting financial and data analyses, ensuring compliance with internal and external reporting requirements, and preparing financial schedules, publications, and advertisements. The role also involves offering technical support to Division and City department staff by resolving budget-related issues, delivering training on budget preparation, presentation, and monitoring, and supporting related activities. The Principal Budget and Research Analyst is distinguished by the complexity of assignments and the expectation to work independently and proactively. This role requires advanced professional, administrative, and analytical expertise in collecting information, developing and managing citywide budgets, conducting research and statistical analysis, and designing efficient financial systems.

The ideal candidate will have experience in accounting, finance, and/or budgeting. A CPA license may count toward overall professional experience. We highly value resumes that highlight not just responsibilities but measurable accomplishments that demonstrate high performance. Evidence of upward career progression, involvement in process improvements, supervisory responsibilities, and experience with training or mentoring others will be particularly beneficial in easing the transition into this role.

A strong desire to learn and grow, paired with critical thinking skills, is essential. The successful candidate will not only complete assigned tasks but will proactively seek ways to improve efficiency and add value—especially in repetitive analytical work—while modeling this mindset for the broader budget team.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (including presentations), are crucial. These abilities may be called upon in the absence of the Budget Manager or to support future career advancement.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including comfort with semi-complex to complex formulas, is highly valuable for effectively managing processes and reviewing team outputs.

At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals that are committed to build and maintain a highly engaged workforce. You will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess these six core values:

  Only a limited number of the most qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will consist of a panel interview. All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email- please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as it will come from a system generated source. • Conducts rolling long-range revenue and expenditure forecasts related to operating and capital expenditures, fund and balances, and revenues.
• Leads staff by encouraging efficiencies and adjustments to work tasks, planning and prioritizing tasks, ensuring policy and procedure compliance, reviewing work prepared by staff, offering expertise and training in the professional development of staff.
• Develops training materials and standard procedures for Division and provides training and development opportunities for staff.
• Acts as and assumes all duties of the Budget Manager in their absence.
• Reviews and performs various forms of budget and financial analysis, estimates and forecasts in support of the annual budget including revenue, operating and capital expenditures, and fund balance and capital funds availability.
• Develops monthly and quarterly budget variance reports for department operating budgets, one-time supplemental budget allocations, capital improvement program and/or revenues and other resources. Performs various types of trend and other analysis, develops reports and questions for department discussions, and writes variance explanations for financial reports.
• Acts as a Budget liaison for various City departments. Coordinates and provides technical support to City department staff by anticipating and resolving budget challenges, providing training in the development, presentation, and monitoring of annual budgets, and other related activities.
• Coordinates and oversees completion of portions of the annual budget development process including instructions and forms, staff training, City department support and assistance, and performs analytical reviews of work for completeness and reasonableness, and various forms of reporting for management, City Council and the public.
• Develops financial schedules and presentations in support of the annual budget process and budget document. Coordinates the publication of the budget book. Gathers needed information, writes narratives, reviews work of others, and develops draft presentations.
• Coordinates and supervises completion of required publications and advertising for adopting the annual budget.
• Leads special projects such as cost allocation and user fees, impact fee studies, and technology solutions including scope of work and procurement, contract administration, citywide coordination, and required reporting.
• Represents the departments in various ad hoc and standing committees and task forces.
• Develops general and specific financial impact analysis by researching pertinent data and developing recommendations for leadership.
• Responds to department and division inquiries to budget issues, conducts research, analyzes data, and develops reports when directed by leadership.
• Administers city-wide budget preparation systems including forms, tables, and other maintenance activities for automated and business systems.

• Formal Education/Knowledge:  Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field.  Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience:  Minimum five years of experience in a related field.
• Certifications and Other Requirements:  None
• Reading:   Work requires the ability to read financial research studies, pending legislation, business plans, engineering consultant reports, water/wastewater technical reports, City Council communications, professional publications, request for proposals, organizational policies and procedures, regulatory publications, and technical financial analysis user manuals.
• Math:   Work requires the ability to work complex problem-solving using algebra, present/future value concepts, trend analysis, statistical relationships, capital budgeting, financial formulas, and cost benefits analysis.
• Writing:   Work requires the ability to write Financial Reports, Memorandums, Council Action Requests, and procedural manuals.  
• Managerial:  Semi-Complex - Work requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same work as those directed, and includes overseeing work quality, training, instructing, and scheduling work.
• Budget Responsibility:  Significant - Oversees budget preparation of a program budget.  Reviews and approves expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the department or does research and prepares recommendations for city-wide budget expenditures
• Policy/Decision Making:  Significant - The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies.   There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties.  More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts are typically reviewed prior to being finalized.
• Technical Skills:  Comprehensive - Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
• Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills:  High - Interactions at this level usually impact the implementation of policies. Contacts may involve interpretation of how policies are implemented and may require discussion and the support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations.  During interactions on policy implementation, contacts may also involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.  

1. Gain a thorough understanding of the job and roles of all budget staff by reviewing and familiarizing yourself with the budget division onboarding document.

1. Meet at least weekly with the Budget Manager to ask questions, solicit feedback, and prioritize work tasks.

1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of city financial policies, city schedules, and other governing documentation to assist with decision making and oversight of city budgets.

1. Read and review budget department documentation proactively take the lead on reviewing, adding, and updating SOP’s, Best Practices, and task lists to enhance the standardization of processes.

1. Coordinate & review the timely, accurate, and thorough completion of all our recurring financial reports.

1. Build relationships, gain trust, and seek out opportunities to mentor and train budget staff.

1. Coordinate and oversee completion of assigned duties as part of the annual budget development process.

1. Play an integral role in understanding and updating our rolling long-range revenue & expenditure forecasts.

1. Provide day-to-day support and customer service to assigned departments by anticipating budget issues & assisting budget staff with doing the same.

1. Update and maintain our “Win the Lottery” file and internal SharePoint site.

Salary : $84,046 - $124,767