Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Financial Planning & Analysis Manager

Buncombe County is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Financial Planning & Analysis Manager to serve as a senior strategic leader within our Finance Department. In this highly visible role, you will shape long-range financial strategies, guide capital and debt planning, strengthen countywide financial governance, and lead modernization across critical financial systems.

As an employer deeply committed to employee wellbeing, Buncombe County offers an exceptional benefits package, including discounted medical premiums, generous county-funded Health Savings Account contributions, no-cost physical therapy, 8% 401(k) employer contributions, comprehensive wellness programs, paid family leave, and access to an onsite Employee & Family Health Clinic with low-cost care.

If you are ready to bring your expertise to a mission-driven organization focused on sustainability, innovation, and community impact, we invite you to join our team.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to serve as a senior strategic leader within the Finance Department, partnering directly with the Finance Officer to shape, guide, and execute Buncombe County's long-range financial strategies. This position provides leadership in financial planning, debt and capital analysis, cash and investment management, financial technology modernization, and policy development. As a highly visible leader, the role ensures strong financial governance, supports Countywide fiscal sustainability, and delivers advanced analytics that inform strategic decision-making across the organization.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Master's degree in Business, Public Administration, or other relevant field and three (3) years of experience in government or business including two (2) years of supervisory experience and/or specific training in financial planning and business/financial data analysis; or a bachelor's degree in finance, public administration, business, or other relevant field and five (5) years of experience and/or specific training in financial planning and business/financial data analysis; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Additional Training and Experience:

Progressively responsible experience in public funds investment, cash management, municipal bonds and governmental financial planning and administration, including considerable analytical experience is preferred.

Supervisory/Leadership Responsibilities:

Supervise a division, program, or process with accountability for operations and results, responsibility for employee development, assignment and flow of work, and appraisal. Work activities involve managerial decisions that directly affect the efficiency, costs, reputation and service quality of the division, program, or process. May assist with developing budgets and/or distributing budgeted funds.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Lead the preparation, coordination, and management of all County debt issuance processes in close partnership with the Finance Officer, ensuring comprehensive documentation, compliance, and collaboration with external partners.
• Serve as the County's primary internal leader for capital financing analysis, annual debt modeling, and long-range capital planning outputs used by executive leadership and the Board.
• Guide development of capital-related financial strategies, financial modeling, and long-term fiscal sustainability analyses aligned with organizational priorities.
• Direct the County's cash flow forecasting process, oversee liquidity planning, and ensure timely, strategic movement of funds to meet operational and capital needs.
• Oversee investment portfolio compliance, conduct analysis to identify excess cash available for investment, and coordinate quarterly investment reporting.
• Provide strategic advice to the Finance Officer on investment risk mitigation, market trends, portfolio positioning, and policy alignment.
• Oversee Finance business systems, lead modernization efforts, and optimize workflows to strengthen internal controls and enterprise efficiency.
• Assess emerging technology, automation opportunities, and finance-related risks; advise the Finance Officer and senior leadership on impacts, readiness, and recommended actions.
• Lead design, implementation, assessment, and improvement of financial policies and procedures that reinforce Buncombe County's internal control framework and mitigate financial, operational, and compliance risk.
• Monitor fiscal compliance across high-risk areas, including fraud, waste, and abuse detection, and lead targeted analysis to address vulnerabilities.
• Oversee SCFC financial planning, long-range forecasting, and preparation of formal presentations and communications for Commission members.
• Serve as the senior liaison for capital financial analysis, project modeling, and policy interpretation supporting County and school system partners.
• Lead monthly financial reporting for all major operating and capital funds, providing trend analysis, forecasting updates, and strategic insights on year-to-date performance.
• Provide expert guidance to departments on interpreting budget-to-actual outcomes and collaborate with internal partners to ensure financial accountability and transparency.
• Lead long-range financial planning, scenario modeling, fiscal sustainability analysis, and management reporting activities in partnership with the Finance Officer.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Finance Officer, preparing executive-level materials and supporting strategic decision-making for County leadership.
• Lead and manage the FP&A Division staff, establishing high performance expectations and fostering a collaborative, innovative, and professional team culture.
• Provide clear, timely communication, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development for staff.
• Ensure divisional compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, County policies, human resource requirements, and governmental standards.
• Serve as an emergency-essential leader, providing financial strategy support, continuity-of-operations readiness, and rapid fiscal analysis during emergency events. In addition, this position will serve as a key liaison with state and federal agencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to advance the goals and strategic priorities of the Finance Officer and the Buncombe County organization.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of and ability to plan and implement budgetary, purchasing and accounting practices and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of the organization and structure of state and local government and nonprofit agencies.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public and business administration.
• Ability to plan and direct fiscal and business services.
• Ability to identify and implement improvements to processes and workflows as well as interpret complex regulations and ensure they are addressed in processes and workflows.
• Knowledge of computer systems – MS Office Suite, advanced Excel, PowerBI, ERP (Workday preferred), and database use to ensure department efficiency.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and deliver proposals that are clear, engaging, data-based, accurate, and aligned with Buncombe County's strategic goals.
• Possesses leadership and excellent team management skills. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and collaborating across internal teams to deliver complex projects.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.