Finance Director

Finance DirectorLead with integrity. Drive financial excellence. Shape the future of Fountain Valley.Great communities don't happen by chance - they're built on thoughtful leadership, sound financial stewardship, and a commitment to public service. The City of Fountain Valley is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Finance Director to join our Executive Management Team. Reporting directly to the City Manager, this is a unique opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of an award-winning organization while overseeing the financial operations that keep our City strong, stable, and prepared for the future. This is more than a finance position. It is an opportunity to influence policy, partner with executive leadership, advise elected officials, and lead an exceptional team dedicated to serving a community of nearly 60,000 residents.Known as "A Nice Place to Live," Fountain Valley is a financially sound, full-service city nestled in the heart of Orange County, California. The City of Fountain Valley is only a few miles from the beach with a variety of premier restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within a 15-mile radius of the City. The City is recognized for its outstanding quality of life, beautiful parks, excellent public safety services, and strong sense of community. Our organization values innovation, transparency, and customer service. We empower leaders who are willing to think strategically, build relationships, solve complex challenges, and continuously improve how we serve our residents and businesses.As Finance Director, you will serve as one of the City's key executive leaders, providing strategic financial leadership across the organization and helping position Fountain Valley for continued fiscal strength and long-term sustainability. This is an especially exciting time to join the City. Fountain Valley is investing in its future through significant capital improvement projects, including the development of a new fire station. The Finance Director will play a critical leadership role in evaluating financing strategies, developing long-term financial plans, and helping the City successfully navigate the complexities of funding major capital investments. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience with municipal debt financing and the issuance of bonds to support capital improvement projects. The ability to evaluate financing alternatives, work effectively with financial advisors and bond professionals, communicate complex financial concepts to decision-makers, and ensure that debt strategies align with the City's long-term financial objectives will be highly valued. You'll oversee a talented department of twelve professionals, including an Accounting Manager and Finance Manager, while guiding every aspect of the City's financial operations, including:Financial planning and financial strategyBudget development and administrationAccounting and financial reportingPayroll administrationPurchasing and procurementRevenue collection and utility billingAnnual audits and internal controlsBusiness licensingInvestment and cash managementFinancial policy development and implementationBeyond technical expertise, the Finance Director will serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Council, executive leadership team, finance committees, advisory bodies, and community stakeholders. Success in this role will depend not only on financial acumen, but on the ability to build trust, foster transparency, and develop strong working relationships with people who have diverse perspectives and interests.We're seeking a leader who combines financial expertise with exceptional interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate is:A strategic thinker who sees the big picture while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.An approachable and collaborative leader who builds trust throughout the organization.An innovative problem solver who embraces continuous improvement and modern business practices.A confident communicator who can translate complex financial information into meaningful guidance for diverse audiences.A mentor who develops employees, builds high-performing teams, and promotes accountability through positive leadership.A professional with unquestioned integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to ethical public serviceThe successful candidate understands that finance is more than balancing budgets - it's about enabling great government. If you're an experienced municipal finance professional who enjoys strategic leadership, values collaboration, and is excited by the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we encourage you to apply.Excellent benefits include:4/10 schedule (off Fridays)CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)Choice of CalPERS medical HMO and PPO plans. Choice of DHMO or DPPO dental plans. Medical and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents are paid by the City.$100,000 life insurance policy (mandatory), vision and optional AFLAC insurance.Matching deferred compensation 457(b) or 401(a) contribution up to $500 per month.City-paid long-term disability insuranceGenerous leave accruals, including 108 hours for administrative leave (prorated upon hire)Annual wellness/fitness reimbursement of $500 per fiscal yearRetiree Health Savings Account: Mandatory 2% employee contribution11 paid holidays, including one floating holidayTuition reimbursement