Finance Director

Finance DirectorThe City of Martinez is seeking a proactive professional to lead the Finance Department. The Finance Director is a key member of the executive team, reporting directly to the City Manager, and is responsible for managing the City's financial health through budgeting, auditing, business licensing, payroll, investments, purchasing, and revenue collection. This hands-on, public-facing leadership position is critical to the fiscal well-being of the City.Key responsibilities include:Leading the development, preparation, and administration of the City's Operating and Capital Budgets, including management of the FY 2026-7 General Fund totaling $43,737,434Supervising daily operations: Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Utility Billing, Business Licenses, Payroll, General Ledger, Cash Management, Investments, Budgets, and Financial ReportingEnsuring compliance with financial regulations and maintaining transparencyAdvising City Council, Budget and Finance Subcommittee, and departments on financial planning, economic trends, and budget prioritiesPublishing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) to GFOA standardsDriving innovation and process improvements within the Finance DepartmentRepresenting the City in meetings, addressing resident inquiries, and ensuring transparency in financial mattersSupporting employee retention, reviewing growth plans and classification structures, streamlining systems, implementing automation, and updating policies and procedures to boost organizational effectivenessCollaborating on special projects with the City Manager to provide strong financial stewardship for the CityThe ideal candidate will demonstrate:Strategic Leadership & Vision: Ability to lead initiatives beyond daily operations, advocate, articulate, and implement the council and community's vision; blend innovation and creativity; think outside the boxExpertise in Municipal Finance: Extensive knowledge of municipal operations, accounting, and budget preparation; must be technologically astute and experienced with Tyler MUNIS ERP with understanding of budget/structural deficitsHigh Ethical Standards & Independence: Works independently with demonstrated commitment to accountability, integrity, and public trustTeam Leadership: Passion for mentoring and leading a small, engaged team; cultivates collaborative relationships and motivates others to excel; fosters interdepartmental cooperation, coordination, and productivityCollaboration & Communication: Approachable, transparent, and proactive communicator; excels in building consensus and fostering teamwork across departments and agencies with successful outcomes; effective oral and written communication skills to convey complex financial information to diverse audiencesCustomer Service Orientation: Friendly, diplomatic, and responsive to residents' concerns; ensures quality service to City departments and the communityProblem-Solving & Innovation: Anticipates challenges and proposes creative solutions to unite people, drive efficiency,and promote fiscal responsibility, and achieve long-term sustainabilityCommunity Engagement: Enthusiastic about engaging with an informed and engaged community, including City Council members, commissioners, and the public; represents the City with professionalism and transparencyVisionary & Motivational: Recognizes the value of teamwork and inspires others to excel collectively, contributing to the overall success of the Finance Department and the organization as a wholeThe Finance Department is at the forefront of driving innovation and positive change in the City. Led by the Finance Director, team members are responsible for the meticulous development and preparation of the City's annual Operating and Capital Budget, shaping the financial trajectory of the City. The Department consists of a small but engaged team of accounting professionals.Challenges and Opportunities The next Finance Director will encounter a dynamic environment with some exciting professional challenges and rewarding opportunities which will leave a lasting impact on the entire organization:Managing a comprehensive range of finance functions, requiring strong leadership to build a cohesive team culture and maintain high standards of service across the City organizationShaping the City's financial future by fostering innovation and guiding and developing a talented teamDelivering robust financial forecasting and long-term analysis to ensure fiscal responsibility as the City balances investments in growth and infrastructureNavigating complex financial issues—including fee studies, impact fees, and financial metrics—with analytical rigor and strategic insightOverseeing the conversion of the payroll system to bi-weekly processing and optimizing MUNIS ERP systems, requiring effective change management and technical expertiseInfluencing key policy decisions through expertise in financial analysis and strategic planningAchieving professional growth by tackling complex projects and implementing transformative operational improvementsRepresentative Duties This section contains a list of duties that are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth to address business needs and changing business practices. EssentialDirects the Finance Department activities such as budget preparation, investment management, business license administration, payroll, accounts payable, and utility billingProvides professional analysis and advice to the City Council, City Manager, City departments, City committees and commissions regarding finance activitiesDevelops short and long range fiscal plans, with alternatives, to enable the City to determine financial policy for achieving objectives within available financial resourcesCoordinates the preparation, implementation and control of the City's operating and capital improvement budgets and mid-year reports/adjustmentsReviews and analyzes departmental/city expenditures and revenues to evaluate impact upon City operations and programsReviews and evaluates service delivery methods and systems including administrative and support systems and the financial operating system; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes to standard operating procedures to enhance servicesDetermines and justifies departmental goals and related personnel and financial resource needs; is held accountable for the accomplishment of departmental goals; and ensures coordination of department's activities with City goalsServes as the appointing authority for subordinate staff; sets work priorities; evaluates work performance; takes official disciplinary actions as necessary; and identifies and/or resolves subordinates' concernsOversees internal audits of municipal funds and facilitates the City's audits by its independent auditor and by state and federal agencies, as appropriateOversees and manages the City's investment portfolio in conjunction with the City TreasurerPrepares a variety of reports, such as State Controller's reports and other reports required by lawReconciles bond and grant financing, including preparing required reports, as needed and in a timely mannerIs responsible for the preparation and administration of the departmental budgetParticipates in committee, staff, City Council, and other public agency meetings and conferencesMakes presentations to groups such as the City Council, boards and commissions, citizen groups, and other public agenciesServes as staff to the Budget and Finance Council SubcommitteeAs a member of the City's executive management team, assists the City Manager in the overall administrative and policy planning process of the CityInitiates or conducts special studies, as assigned, and prepares reports with recommendations for appropriate actionStays current on issues relative to the field of municipal finance administration and relative service delivery responsibilitiesQualifications/Education/Experience Knowledge of:Principles, methods and practices of governmental budgeting, accounting, auditing and forecastingApproved principles and standards of centralized, computer-based accounting, auditing, investment management, and revenue and business license administrationPertinent Federal, State, and local laws, code, and regulations affecting municipal finance administrationStrategic planning techniques and modelsResearch methodology, including statistical and financial analysisPrinciples and practices of effective leadership, mentoring, employee development and supervision, conflict resolution, negotiating, and customer serviceEffective written and verbal communication etiquette, including public speaking techniquesAbility to:Plan, organize, and direct work of the Finance DepartmentTrain, supervise, and evaluate assigned staffWork effectively as part of the management teamCommunicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writingUse financial software applications, including spreadsheets to prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reportsInterpret and explain accounting policies and proceduresAnalyze and interpret financial investment and accounting recordsConduct, analyze, and make recommendations on a variety of administrative activitiesDeal effectively with City staff and representatives of various public and private agenciesUnderstand, interpret, and apply complex guidelinesMaintain confidentiality