Deputy Chief Financial Officer

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $160,095.00 - $230,136.84 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

Summary

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer (DCFO) serves as a senior executive leader within the Finance Division and supports the Chief Financial Officer in providing strategic financial leadership and fiduciary oversight for CATS. Reporting to the CFO, the DCFO oversees major finance subfunctions and leads cross-functional initiatives to strengthen financial management, controls, and performance across the organization. The specific mix of assigned responsibilities may vary based on the DCFO’s expertise and the operational and strategic needs of CATS, but the role consistently functions as a key partner to the CFO in advancing CATS’ financial strategy, governance, and organizational maturity.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

Executive Financial Leadership and Support

• Serve as a senior member of the Finance Division leadership team, supporting the CFO in executing CATS’ financial vision, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Act on behalf of the CFO, as assigned, in executive meetings, internal governance forums, and interactions with external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and continuity during periods of organizational transition, growth, or leadership change.

Oversight of Assigned Finance Functions

• Provide executive oversight of assigned Finance Division subfunctions, which may include accounting and controls, budgeting and financial management, treasury and financial planning, procurement, or other related areas.
• Ensure Directors and Managers effectively implement policies, procedures, and controls consistent with CATS’ financial strategy and governance framework.
• Monitor operational performance within assigned functions and address issues requiring executive attention or cross-functional coordination.

Financial Strategy, Planning, and Analysis

• Support the CFO in developing and executing short- and long-term financial strategies, including operating and capital financial plans.
• Review and evaluate financial forecasts, scenario analyses, and financial impact assessments to support executive and board decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of financial performance metrics and dashboards used to assess organizational health and effectiveness.

Internal Controls, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of internal control frameworks across Finance Division functions.
• Ensure assigned functions are audit-ready and compliant with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards.
• Assist the CFO in addressing audit findings, risk exposures, and corrective actions.

Budget and Financial Management

• Oversee and coordinate components of the annual operating budget and multi-year capital improvement program, as assigned.
• Review budget proposals, financial analyses, and funding recommendations for consistency with CATS’ strategic and financial objectives.
• Support financial governance processes related to budget development, amendments, and performance monitoring.

Organizational Leadership and Workforce Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to Finance Division Directors and senior managers within assigned functional areas.
• Promote consistent management practices, accountability, and collaboration across Finance Division teams.
• Support succession planning and professional development to strengthen long‑term Finance Division capacity.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Communicate complex financial information clearly to executive leadership, department leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Support the CFO in preparing financial materials, presentations, and policy recommendations for executive leadership and governing boards.
• Represent CATS in financial discussions with external partners, funding agencies, and auditors, as assigned.

Core Competencies

Technical and Analytical Skills: Advanced knowledge of public-sector finance, accounting, budgeting, controls, and financial planning; ability to evaluate complex financial and operational information, identify key issues, and support sound executive decision-making.

• Analyzes financial, operational, and policy information to identify significant trends, issues, and implications.
• Evaluates alternatives with attention to risk, practicality, and alignment to organizational priorities.
• Applies sound judgment in translating technical financial matters into clear recommendations.

Fiscal Stewardship and Financial Governance: Ability to support enterprise financial stewardship by reinforcing sound controls, accountability, compliance, and consistent financial management practices across assigned functions.

• Promotes accuracy, consistency, and responsible management of public resources.
• Reinforces financial governance expectations through disciplined oversight and follow‑through.
• Balances responsiveness to operational needs with the control and accountability required in a public‑sector environment.

Strategic and Cross‑Functional Thinking: Ability to connect assigned finance functions to broader organizational goals, understand operational and financial interdependencies, and help advance coordinated solutions across divisions and leadership levels.

• Recognizes how decisions in one functional area affect financial performance, compliance, and organizational capacity in others.
• Anticipates downstream impacts, tradeoffs, and coordination needs when evaluating issues or recommendations.
• Supports enterprise initiatives by aligning functional work with larger strategic and organizational priorities.

Leadership and Organizational Development: Ability to lead through Directors and senior managers, establish expectations, strengthen consistency in management practices, and build organizational capability within assigned Finance Division functions.

• Provides direction, coaching, and support that strengthen leadership effectiveness and accountability.
• Promotes collaboration, consistency, and problem‑solving across teams and functions.
• Supports organizational maturity through talent development, succession support, and continuous improvement.

Communication and Executive Support: Ability to communicate complex financial matters clearly to executive leadership, senior managers, governing bodies, and external stakeholders, and to support high‑quality decision‑making through credible analysis and advice.

• Presents financial issues and recommendations in a clear, organized, and decision‑oriented manner.
• Adapts communication to technical and non‑technical audiences without losing substance or accuracy.
• Maintains credibility in high‑visibility discussions involving competing priorities, uncertainty, or organizational risk.

Judgment, Integrity, and Accountability: Ability to exercise sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations and demonstrate professionalism, discretion, integrity, and accountability in financial leadership and organizational interactions.

• Makes principled decisions in ambiguous or high‑impact situations.
• Takes ownership of results and addresses issues directly and constructively.
• Demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and ethical consistency in leadership practice.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of

• Governmental accounting principles, including GAAP and fund accounting.
• Public‑sector budgeting and capital finance practices.
• Internal control frameworks, audit standards, and compliance requirements.
• Public procurement, contract administration, and financial governance processes.
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to transit finance.

Skill in

• Leading and overseeing complex finance functions in a public‑sector environment.
• Reviewing and analyzing operating and capital budgets and financial forecasts.
• Interpreting complex financial data and presenting findings to executive audiences.
• Developing and implementing financial policies, procedures, and controls.
• Building effective working relationships across organizational boundaries.

Ability to

• Exercise independent judgment on complex financial and organizational matters.
• Support executive decision‑making with clear, accurate, and timely financial insight.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives and manage competing priorities.
• Communicate financial information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Uphold high standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field and eight (8) years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including leadership responsibility, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience in public‑sector, transportation, or transit agency financial management.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre‑employment drug‑screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

Benefits

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol‑free workplace.