Director of Finance

Director of Finance

The Director of Finance is an executive-level leader responsible for the strategic oversight and effective management of all fiscal operations of the Superior Court. This is a full-time position based on site at the Santa Cruz courthouse, with limited flexibility for occasional remote work subject to CEO approval. Travel to the Watsonville facility may be required. Under the general direction of the Court Executive Officer, the Director oversees the Court's budget development, financial reporting, accounting systems, procurement, payroll, capital planning, trust accounting, collections, and contract management. The Director exercises a high degree of independent judgment, strategic thinking, and executive decision-making, serves as the Court's fiscal liaison with external agencies, and ensures compliance with all applicable laws, rules of court, and professional accounting standards. This executive-level position is responsible for all fiscal activities of the Court through subordinate managers, professional staff, and technical personnel. The Director is a key member of the Court's leadership team and plays a significant role in strategic planning, fiscal policy development, and organizational decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience: At least five years of increasingly responsible financial management experience; public-sector experience strongly preferred. Experience in procurement, contracts, and collections is desirable. Supervisory or managerial experience overseeing professional-level fiscal staff is required.

Education: One of the following: Master's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Public or Judicial Administration, or a related field, and at least three years of financial management experience; or Bachelor's degree in Public Finance, Finance, Accounting, Business or Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field, and at least five years of financial management experience; or Associate's degree in Business, Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Finance, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, and at least seven years of financial management experience. Certifications: CPA or CMA highly desirable.

Knowledge of: Public-sector finance, accounting, and auditing. Governmental accounting principles, internal controls, audit methods, and fiscal regulations. Budget development, capital planning, procurement regulations, and contract administration. Laws, ordinances, and rules governing fiscal operations in the judicial branch. Leadership methods, executive management principles, and organizational planning. Enterprise financial systems (e.g., SAP) and Microsoft Office tools. Statistical analysis, financial modeling, report development, and data interpretation.

Ability to: Provide executive leadership in fiscal strategy, budgeting, procurement, and financial operations. Analyze complex situations, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions. Prepare clear, accurate, and timely fiscal reports and policies. Direct multiple functional areas and diverse teams through subordinate managers. Lead organizational change and improve policies, procedures, and workflow. Respond promptly and accurately to information requests. Model Court values such as honesty, integrity, respect, transparency, professionalism, and service. Motivate staff, support growth, and foster a positive workplace culture. Work effectively with judicial officers, executives, staff, agencies, vendors, and the public.