Deputy Director of Finance

Performs professional-level work by leading, managing, and coordinating major functional areas and cross-departmental operations within the Finance Department. Areas of responsibility may include LEAN initiatives, performance management, data analysis and reporting, financial information systems, procurement, budgeting and forecasting, accounting & financial statement management, payroll, utility billing & customer service oversight, and debt management. Operates with significant independence while collaborating with elected officials, executive leadership, and department managers on matters impacting citywide operations. The role provides strategic leadership for assigned programs, serves as a liaison across divisions and external partners, and oversees special projects that support city priorities and organizational effectiveness. The ideal candidate is an experienced and forward-thinking finance professional who brings strong leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to successfully manage complex financial operations. They have a demonstrated track record of overseeing diverse functional areas such as budgeting, accounting, procurement, payroll/AP, financial reporting, and financial systems, and are skilled at driving process improvement, strengthening internal controls, and supporting organizational efficiency. This individual is a skilled problem solver who excels at building collaborative relationships, communicating effectively at all levels, and providing clear, strategic guidance during periods of transition. They are adept at managing staff, balancing competing priorities, and quickly learning new operational areas. The ideal candidate operates with significant independence and sound judgment; works comfortably with elected officials, executive leadership, and citywide stakeholders; and contributes meaningfully to city initiatives, cross-functional projects, and continuous improvement efforts. They bring a solutions-oriented mindset, a commitment to high standards of service, and the ability to lead teams through change while maintaining operational stability and staff engagement. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Provides strategic, innovative, and visionary leadership over assigned Finance Department divisions. Directs work programs, develops and refines policies and procedures, and oversees complex assignments requiring substantial independent judgment, technical expertise, and managerial decision-making. Partners with the Finance Director to plan, coordinate, and implement department-wide and citywide policies, programs, and initiatives. Oversees the City’s financial records, financial reporting, cost studies, financial plans, and forecasting activities, ensuring effective integration with inter-and intra-departmental systems. Demonstrates effective and transparent communication across all levels of the organization and serves as acting Director when assigned. Fosters a professional, collaborative, and supportive work environment grounded in continuous improvement and employee engagement. Provides leadership for the planning, development, implementation, and operation of the City’s ERP and financial systems. Oversees system integrations with financial, human resources, and permitting modules, data interfaces with various City systems, and financial applications used within the department. Drives continuous improvement efforts across all Finance divisions. Conducts ongoing evaluation of programs, services, processes, and organizational effectiveness. Seeks to streamline workflows, enhance service delivery, improve communication, reduce turnaround times, and develop mechanisms for tracking, reporting, and recognizing improvement achievements. Represents the City in interactions with other departments, governmental agencies, regional organizations, and the media on matters related to Finance operations. Leads and participates in interdepartmental, regional, and multijurisdictional committees, task forces, and project teams. Demonstrates diplomacy and sound judgment when addressing complex, sensitive, or controversial issues. Engages frequently with City Council, Council-appointed committees, residents, employee groups, and executive management. QUALIFICATIONS Formal Education/Knowledge: Work requires both broad and specialized knowledge in a professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Master’s degree preferred. Experience: Minimum seven years of experience in a related field. Certifications and Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License. Reading: Work requires the ability to read and interpret state statutes, federal laws, city ordinances, technical reports and publications, legal documents, development agreements, policies and procedures at a college level. Math: Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and advanced level algebra. Writing: Work requires the ability to write general correspondence, technical reports, agreements, council documents, public information, and financial, budget, and grant reports at a college level. Managerial: Complex - Work requires managing and monitoring work performance of a division including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department. Budget Responsibility: Significant - Has responsibility for final approval of at least one division budget and presents the budget(s) to Department Director and Senior Management. Is authorized to approve division budgeted expenditures for both staff and resources up to the amount that requires the approval of Senior Management. Policy/Decision Making: Significant - The employee normally performs the duty assignments within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. End results determine effectiveness of job performance. This position independently decides how objectives are achieved and what resources are needed. Typical positions in this category are upper management to executive level jobs. Technical Skills: Comprehensive Application - Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs, solutions for highly complex issues, and/or processes organization-wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills: High - Interactions at this level typically result in recommendations regarding policy development, changes in policy, and implementation of policies. Interactions at this level are typically concerned with providing communications at higher levels of organizational operations and may utilize activities such as evaluating customer satisfaction, developing cooperative associations, and allocating resources to improve work operations, work quality, overall achievement of organizational goals and objectives, and customer satisfaction. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Experience and attend Goodyear Employee Orientation (Within the first 60 days) Establish a strong foundation for success by completing employee orientation, meeting key stakeholders across the organization, and developing an understanding of departmental operations, priorities, and organizational goals. Learn and assume leadership of new operational areas. Quickly become familiar with Procurement and Payroll/AP processes, staff, and workloads. Build relationships, assess risks and internal controls, and make targeted short-term improvements. Strengthen team communication, collaboration, and leadership. Meet 1:1 with applicable staff and key partners. Establish clear expectations, support employee development, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Evaluate organizational structure and process efficiency. Review roles, responsibilities, workflows, and internal controls across assigned divisions. Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and support succession planning. Enhance performance measurement and financial system utilization. Improve reporting and metrics for assigned areas, and support enhancements or integrations to ERP and financial systems that increase efficiency and data accuracy. Support key compliance, risk management, and procurement improvements. Strengthen fraud prevention and internal control measures, support increased use of procurement software, and actively participate in payroll audit meetings. Ensure agreed-upon audit goals and improvement actions are implemented and monitored. Represent the Finance Department across the organization. Participate in citywide committees, task forces, and initiatives. Build collaborative relationships and effectively communicate Finance’s role and priorities. #J-18808-Ljbffr