Finance Director

The City of Carlsbad is seeking a Finance Director who will continue leading the Department in reimagining how work is accomplished, integrating best practices to strengthen operations, and demonstrating ethical standards. What the role entails Support a full‑service city with over 1,200 employees serving 115,000 residents and a thriving business community. Serve in a leadership role—answer questions, offer advice, moderate discussions, provide training to staff, assist in policy setting at the department and city level, and advocate for the city's mission, vision and values. Lead a winning municipal finance team recognized for continuous excellence (GFOA award holder). Plan, organize and direct citywide financial programs, including general accounting, budgeting, payroll, billing, and service charge collection. Assist in planning and directing accounting activities for the city's redevelopment agency, water and sewer district, and other agencies. Develop and recommend department policies and procedures and oversee their implementation. Plan and develop the city's accounting information system. Review contracts and ensure expenditures comply with contract terms. Establish procedures and systems for billing and collecting payments for water and refuse services. Prepare and supervise the preparation of reports to the State Controller. Coordinate citywide budget preparation and administration, including revenue estimation, collection, assimilation, and analysis of departmental requests, fund balance projections, and other budgeting functions. Prepare and supervise the preparation of the city's long‑term financial planning and forecasting. Supervise and participate in the preparation of financial statements and reports such as monthly expenditure reports. Prepare and supervise the preparation of the city's master fee schedule. Direct the preparation and administration of the recommended departmental work program and annual budget. Coordinate finance‑related activities with other city departments, divisions, and outside agencies. Prepare and supervise the preparation of the city's monthly investment report in support of the City Treasurer. Manage employees through supervisors; set goals and objectives, train, motivate staff, assess performance, and make salary recommendations. Act as Acting Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services, when assigned. Oversee the implementation of new software systems and major upgrades. Ensure required city debt payments, disclosure documents and arbitrage calculations are prepared in accordance with law. Participate in meetings with developers and operators of the city's golf course to provide financial guidance. Lead teams that upgrade existing systems or implement new ones. Collaborate to develop a top‑notch team and serve on the city leadership team when needed. Knowledge and Skills Principles and practices of organization, administration, budgeting and personnel management. Accounting principles, practices, methods and financial information processing procedures. Federal, state, local and governmental legal requirements affecting municipal financial administration. Strategic management techniques and methodology. Financial planning. Research methods and report presentation techniques. Ability to plan, organize and direct a citywide program of financial activities. Provide administrative and professional leadership for the department. Develop and administer annual and long‑range programs and budgets. Analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting records and data. Prepare accurate financial and statistical reports. Make accurate revenue and expenditure forecasts. Supervise, train and evaluate staff. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with stakeholders. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences, and implement recommendations. Interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity and sensitivity in changing situations. Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Work well under pressure to meet deadlines. Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, public or business administration or a closely related field, and Five years of increasingly responsible administrative experience involving municipal accounting management, with at least three years of supervisory experience. Master's degree in Public or Business Administration (desirable). Certified Public Finance Officer (desirable). Certified Public Accountant certification (desirable). Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) (desirable). Certified Management Accountant (CMA) (desirable). #J-18808-Ljbffr