Finance Director

Department: Finance Supervisor: Town Manager Union Status: Non-Union Grade: 19, Steps: 1-13 Salary Range: Anticipated hiring range $113,859 – $145,000 annually (paid weekly); Full range to $162,337 Position: Full-time FLSA Status: Exempt Appointed by: Town Manager Position Summary Under the direction of the Town Manager, the Finance Director performs complex administrative, supervisory, and technical work directing and monitoring municipal finance operations. As the Town’s Director of Finance and Budget, the position oversees Accounting, Assessing, Revenue and Tax Collection, Treasury, Procurement, Investments, and Debt Service. The Finance Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and improving municipal financial systems, safeguarding town assets, coordinating the annual budget process, and all other related work as required, ensuring compliance with applicable Massachusetts General Laws, professional standards, and municipal policies. Supervision Required Works under the general policy direction of the Town Manager and operates with a high degree of independent judgment and discretion in managing the Town’s financial operations. Responsibilities must be carried out in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, municipal finance regulations, and professional standards, following policy and bylaw guidelines established by the Board of Selectmen and applicable State and Federal laws. Duties require considerable initiative and interpretation of municipal finance statutes, GAAP standards, UMAS principles, and Town financial policies to ensure that all actions are ethical, legally sound, and aligned with Town objectives. Supervisory Responsibility Directly supervises Division Managers in the offices of Accounting, Tax Collection, Treasury, Assessing, and Procurement. Participates in hiring and training, assigns and oversees work, provides daily direction, prepares evaluations, and disciplines staff as necessary in accordance with Town policies and applicable law. Confidentiality The Finance Director has regular access to confidential and sensitive information, including personnel records, collective bargaining information, financial data, investment strategies, and legally protected fiscal documents. Strict confidentiality must be maintained at all times. The position requires discretion, sound judgment, and adherence to established professional and municipal standards in handling and safeguarding privileged information. Judgment The position requires a high level of independent judgment in analyzing fiscal conditions, evaluating financial risks, interpreting municipal finance laws, and making recommendations that affect town-wide operations. Decisions must balance efficiency, financial integrity, regulatory obligations, and prudent long-term planning. The Finance Director must determine appropriate courses of action in areas where guidelines, laws, or precedent may not be explicit, ensuring that all decisions are made ethically and in the best interest of the Town. Complexity Work involves managing and coordinating a broad range of financial functions, including accounting, treasury operations, revenue collection, assessment data, procurement, investments, and debt service. The Finance Director must synthesize complex information from multiple sources, interpret state and federal regulations, oversee sophisticated accounting systems, and recommend improvements to financial processes. Responsibilities require the ability to resolve multifaceted problems, develop policies, and implement financial strategies that have significant municipal impact. Nature and Purpose of Contacts The Finance Director interacts frequently with Town officials, department heads, boards and committees, external auditors, financial institutions, state agencies, vendors, and professional consultants. Contacts require professionalism, diplomacy, and clarity in communicating financial policies, explaining regulations, presenting data, and resolving issues. Interactions often involve sensitive or complex financial matters that require careful explanation and collaborative problem-solving. Accountability Errors in judgment, financial analysis, reporting, or oversight could result in substantial financial loss, legal exposure, inaccurate public records, disruption of municipal services, or loss of public trust. The Finance Director is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of all municipal financial operations and for maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations. Decisions made at this level have significant long‑term impact on the Town’s fiscal stability. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Coordinates the fiscal management practices of the Finance Divisions including administering and overseeing the Town’s budgeting preparation, forecasting and implementation after Town Meeting. Coordinates with all town departments and manages the collection of all budget and financial information, including the forecasting of revenues for the forthcoming fiscal year in order to prepare an annual budget for the annual town meeting. Establishes policies and procedures for the collection of all revenues due and owing to the Town of Dracut as a result of tax levies, and the issuance of licenses and permits. Reviews and oversees the various town trust funds to ensure that funds are prudently invested; coordinates with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue pertaining to all matters on their municipal calendar. Coordinates and manages all financial information received from the board of assessors to forecast future financial growth and anticipated revenues, and advise the board of selectmen, finance committee and town meeting accordingly. Conducts internal audits; supervises the preparation of the monthly statements of accounts showing the status of appropriations, expenditures, and remaining balances. Maintains a General Ledger and journal for the recording of all transactions. Advises boards/commissions/committees and all town departments regarding municipal finance laws and budgetary control. Supervises the control of expenditures requiring the examination of vouchers, bills, and payrolls contained on individual departmental schedules. Draws warrants on the Treasury for approval; maintains detailed ledger records and flows of town monies for cash receipts, investments, earnings, special funds, bonds, debt services, enterprise funds, revolving funds, and trust funds. Administers the day‑to‑day management of all Finance Divisions of the Town. Compiles and submits year‑end financial statements to town officials and the state Department of Revenue according to statutory requirements; prepares other necessary statistical, financial, and revenue reports as needed by other state, federal, and regional agencies. Prepares reports for town officials including members of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee; coordinates expense reports and appropriation requests for Department Heads as needed or requested. Oversees the preparation of payroll and bill warrants; performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates. Recommended Minimum Qualifications Education & Experience: Master’s degree in Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field; minimum of five years of progressively responsible municipal finance experience, including at least three years in a supervisory role. Equivalent education and experience may be considered. Special Requirements Must be eligible to be bonded. Requires comprehensive knowledge of municipal accounting, financial reporting principles, GAAP, UMAS, and applicable Massachusetts General Laws. Must possess strong proficiency in municipal financial software such as VADAR or MUNIS. Knowledge, Ability, and Skill Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data and communicate findings clearly. Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with Town officials, staff, and governmental agencies. Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form. Skill in financial management, forecasting, policy development, supervision, and organizational leadership. Strong computer skills, attention to detail, and excellent organizational abilities. Work Environment & Physical Demands Work is performed in a typical office setting with moderate noise. Operates computers, calculators, telephones, copiers, and other office equipment. Frequent contact with Town departments, government agencies, external auditors, banks, and vendors. Errors could cause financial loss, legal issues, confusion, or service disruption. Work requires the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds. Frequent keyboard use, filing, and operation of standard office equipment. Vision must be correctable to standard ranges. Extended periods of computer work may be required. Additional Requirements Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a CORI and background check and compliance with all Town employment policies. Equal Opportunity Statement The Town of Dracut is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable state and federal employment laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. (This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.) #J-18808-Ljbffr