DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)

Deputy Assistant Director

The City of Houston seeks a seasoned financial executive to serve as Deputy Assistant Director, providing strategic oversight of key accounting and reporting functions and leading multiple teams through subordinate managers.

This is not a technical or entry-level management role—successful candidates will demonstrate executive-level leadership, strategic thinking, and a proven ability to lead through others at scale.

The Deputy Assistant Director will serve as a senior executive leader within the Finance Department, providing strategic direction, oversight, and accountability for critical accounting and financial operations, compliance, and reporting functions for the City. This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and exercises delegated authority from the Assistant Director of Finance in managing complex, citywide financial initiatives.

Leads the development and execution of financial strategies that ensure regulatory compliance, strengthen internal controls, and support long-term fiscal sustainability. Oversees multiple functional areas, including accounting and financial reporting, audit coordination, grant management and compliance, and disaster recovery funding.

Acts as a key advisor to the Assistant Director and other senior leadership on financial risk, policy development, and operational performance. Represents the department in high-level engagements with external auditors, regulatory agencies, and other governmental entities.

Drives organizational effectiveness by establishing performance expectations, fostering accountability, and leading continuous improvement initiatives across multiple service lines.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Executive Oversight

• Provides executive leadership and direction over multiple financial functions, ensuring alignment with the City's strategic priorities and regulatory environment.
• Serves as a principal advisor to the Assistant Director on complex financial, compliance, and operational matters.
• Exercises delegated authority in decision-making and acts on behalf of the Assistant Director as needed.
• Leads the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and internal controls that strengthen financial governance and accountability.

Accounting, Financial Reporting, Compliance & Audit Leadership

• Directs the City's accounting and financial reporting processes to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with applicable standards (e.g., GAAP, GASB).
• Provides executive oversight of external and internal audit activities, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Single Audit.
• Ensures effective coordination with auditors and regulatory agencies, resolving complex findings and driving corrective actions.
• Oversees compliance with federal and state grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).

Disaster Recovery & Special Funding Oversight

• Provides strategic direction and oversight for grants management and disaster recovery financial operations, including cost recovery, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensures proper financial management of large-scale federal and state funding programs.
• Leads efforts to strengthen processes and controls related to disaster-related expenditures and reimbursements.

Organizational Leadership & Team Management

• Oversees a multi-functional team consisting of approximately 15–20 staff across several groups, including managers/supervisors.
• Leads through subordinate leaders, ensuring effective cascading of priorities, accountability, and performance expectations.

Systems, Processes & Operational Excellence

• Oversees accounting financial systems and reporting processes (including ERP platforms such as SAP), ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Identifies and implements process improvements that enhance reporting capabilities, internal controls, and operational performance.
• Drives cross-functional coordination to improve data integrity and decision-making across the organization.

Essential Attributes

Strong Interpersonal Skills: Ability to effectively communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization. Problem Solving: Ability to exercise sound judgement and make decisions based on timely and accurate information. Motivated: High sense of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency.

Minimum Requirements

Education Requirements Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field. Experience Requirements Seven years of progressively more complex/responsible administrative experience are required, with at least three of the years in a supervisory capacity. A Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a field closely related to the work being performed may be substituted for two years of experience. License Requirements None

Preferences

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of advanced technical expertise and demonstrated executive leadership experience in complex municipal governmental or large organizational environments. Preference will be given to applicants who have the following:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation strongly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of governmental accounting, financial reporting, and compliance frameworks (GAAP, GASB, Uniform Guidance/2 CFR 200).
• Experience overseeing external audits, including Single Audit and ACFR preparation.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex financial organizations or groups.
• Experience managing managers and supervisors, with responsibility for multi-layered teams.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives.
• Strong track record of leading organizational change, transformation, or process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to think strategically while ensuring disciplined execution across multiple functional areas.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex financial and regulatory issues.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with auditors, regulators, and senior leadership.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6**