Executive Director of Finance

The Executive Director of FinanceCity of Covington, KYFinance DepartmentLocation: City HallFull-timeHours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000 USD AnnuallyPosition SummaryThe Executive Director of Finance is the City of Covington's chief financial officer and a member of the City Manager's executive leadership team. The Executive Director of Finance leads all financial operations of the City, including, but not limited to, budgeting, accounting and financial reporting, revenue and business-tax administration, treasury and investments, debt management, and procurement and serves as the principal financial advisor to the City Manager and the Board of Commissioners.The Executive Director of Finance sets financial strategy, safeguards public resources, protects the City's credit standing, and ensures that Covington's financial practices meet the standards of the largest and best-managed cities in the region. Success in the role requires technical mastery of governmental finance combined with the judgment, communication skills, and leadership presence expected of a senior executive.Essential Duties and Responsibilities: These tasks are typical for this position and may include, but are not limited to, the following:Financial Strategy and Executive LeadershipChief financial advisor: Advises the City Manager, Board of Commissioners, and department directors on the fiscal impact of policy, operational, economic development, and labor decisions.Long-term planning: Develops and maintains multi-year financial forecasts, fiscal sustainability plans, and reserve and fund-balance policies.Executive team member: Participates in City-wide strategic planning, labor negotiations, and major development and partnership agreements, providing financial analysis and modeling.Budget Development and AdministrationAnnual budget: Directs preparation of the annual operating budget and multi-year capital improvement program for adoption by the Board of Commissioners, consistent with Kentucky law governing municipal budgets (KRS Chapter 91A).Budget monitoring: Oversees expenditure controls, budget amendments, and quarterly budget-to-actual reporting to the City Manager and Board of Commissioners.Performance and cost analysis: Leads cost studies, fee and rate analyses, and evaluation of service delivery options.Accounting, Financial Reporting, and AuditFinancial reporting: Oversees general accounting, accounts payable and receivable, fixed assets, and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.Audit: Manages the annual independent audit and federal Single Audit; ensures timely resolution of findings and management-letter comments.Internal controls: Establishes and enforces internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures that protect City assets and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.Recognition programs: Pursues and maintains GFOA Certificates of Achievement for financial reporting and Distinguished Budget Presentation awards.Revenue and Business-Tax AdministrationRevenue management: Oversees collection and forecasting of property taxes, occupational license (payroll) fees, net profit fees, insurance premium taxes, and waste and stormwater fees.Tax policy: Analyzes revenue structure and recommends policy changes; ensures fair, consistent, and customer-focused tax administration.Treasury, Investments, and Debt ManagementCash and investments: Directs cash management, banking relationships, and investment of City funds in accordance with the City's investment policy and state law.Debt and credit: Manages debt issuance and administration consistent with the City's debt management policy; works with municipal advisors, bond counsel, and rating agencies to protect and improve the City's credit rating; oversees continuing disclosure.Capital financing: Structures financing for capital projects, including bonds, leases, tax increment financing, and other development finance tools.Procurement, Grants, and RiskProcurement: Oversees purchasing, bidding, contracting, and surplus property processes to ensure competitive, transparent, and compliant procurement.Grants: Ensures financial compliance and reporting for federal and state grants, including Uniform Guidance requirements.Risk and insurance: Coordinates with Human Resources and Legal on insurance, risk financing, and claims-related financial exposure.Organizational LeadershipDepartment leadership: Leads, develops, and evaluates the Finance Department leadership team and staff; builds succession depth and cross-training.Systems and modernization: Directs the use and improvement of the City's ERP and financial systems; partners with the Data Analytics Division on financial dashboards, transparency, and performance reporting.Communication: Presents complex financial information clearly to elected officials, the public, the media, auditors, and rating agencies.QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.10 years of progressively responsible experience in governmental or public-sector financial management, including at least 5 years in a senior management role overseeing budget, accounting, or treasury functions.Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.Demonstrated experience preparing or overseeing a governmental annual budget and annual financial report.An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.Preferred QualificationsMaster's degree in public administration, finance, accounting, or business administration.Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), and/or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).Experience with Kentucky municipal finance, including occupational license fee administration and state reporting requirements.Experience with bond issuance, rating agency presentations, and development finance tools such as TIF.Experience implementing or optimizing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.Performance StandardsEmployees at all levels are expected to work effectively together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of governmental accounting (GAAP/GASB), municipal budgeting, public finance, treasury management, and procurement law and practice.Skill in financial forecasting, modeling, and analysis, and in translating complex financial information for non-financial audiences.Ability to lead and develop a professional team, build trust with elected officials and peers, and exercise sound, independent judgment.Ability to act with integrity, engage in ethical conduct, and support a commitment to transparency and public service.First Year PrioritiesA successful Executive Director of Finance will, within the first twelve months:Deliver a timely, balanced budget and a clean annual audit.Present a multi-year financial forecast and reserve strategy to the City Manager and Board of Commissioners.Assess Finance Department structure, systems, and internal controls, and recommend improvements.Establish working relationships with rating agencies, auditors, municipal advisors, and banking partners.Language SkillsAbility to read, analyze, and interpret common financial reports and legal documents and write routine reports and correspondence. Effectively communicate and present information to all levels of the organization.Mathematical SkillsAbility to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage, also able to create and interpret various types of graphs.Reasoning AbilityAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply common sense understanding in order to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.TravelTravel is minimal and consists mostly of local travel to clients and stakeholders with potential overnight travel for conferences in and out of state.Position Type/Expected Hours of WorkThis is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Attendance at evening Board of Commissioners meetings, budget hearings, and community meetings is required. Periodic extended hours are expected during budget, audit, and year-end close periods. Evening, weekend, and work hour adjustments may be required as job duties demand.Why Join Us?Full Benefits Package: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision reimbursement plan, retirement plans, paid time off, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays.Meaningful Impact: Your work will directly contribute to the success of Covington's services and the satisfaction of its employees.Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a dedicated and supportive team in a culture that values communication, respect, and continuous improvement.EEO StatementThe City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the rich variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences in our community. We encourage individuals from all walks of life to apply and proudly provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, color, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Covington