Head of Finance-Home Based

Finance Director

People choose Pleasant Hill because they share in the commitments to the community. They want a thriving quality of life. They want a strong school district. They want the closest connection to the vibrant attractions of downtown Des Moines while enjoying neighborhood-level access to more than 300 miles of peaceful trails. They value engagement and partnership. The City continues to invest in infrastructure and quality of life amenities including parks, trails, and art. City Staff and elected officials are relentlessly committed to partnering on redevelopment in the community and bringing new commercial services and businesses. Pleasant Hill is a Home Base Iowa community with a 200+ acre Certified Site and has more than 500 acres of land available along the Highway 163 corridor primed and ready for high-quality commercial and mixed‑use development. Pleasant Hill has been experiencing exponential growth and record building permits in recent years. The Finance Director role provides strategic oversight of all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, treasury management, and payroll, ensuring fiscal integrity, strong internal controls, and responsible stewardship of public funds. As a trusted advisor to leadership, this position delivers clear financial guidance to support sound decision‑making and long‑term stability. In addition to financial leadership, the role includes limited statutory City Clerk responsibilities, ensuring accurate record‑keeping, proper documentation of governing body actions, and compliance with required certifications and public records standards.

Financial Oversight & Management
Oversees the City’s financial operations, ensuring fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, sound internal controls, and responsible management of public funds, including budgeting, reporting, and treasury functions.

Provides city financial advice and recommendations to the city manager and council

Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and required accounting practices

Oversees maintenance of financial records and preparation of required financial reports

Co‑creates and contributes to city budget preparation and execution, financial planning, and forecasting with the City Manager

Oversees payroll, investment of city funds, collection of revenues, and accounts payable

Performs duties of city treasurer as specified in the Code of Iowa and local ordinances

Provides departmental leadership and operational oversight, including staff supervision, performance management, personnel administration, and enforcement of city policies and ethical standards, ensuring continued development and high levels of team engagement.

Manages and supervises clerk’s office operations and staff

Provides or ensures training for new employees

Performs annual performance evaluations

Ensures enforcement of approved city policies and informs staff of legal and ethical issues involving confidential data

Strategic Planning Support & Operational Efficiency
Supports organizational effectiveness by participating in long‑range planning, forecasting, policy development, capital improvement planning, and interdepartmental coordination to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

Gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations

Recommends and assists in establishing city policies and guidelines

Serves as a key liaison between the City and the public, regional partners, and professional organizations while expanding expertise, providing trusted service excellence, maintaining required certifications, and exploring additional development opportunities.

Provides information to citizens, co‑workers, and others

Serves as the official record keeper and legislative administrator for the City, ensuring legal compliance, accurate documentation of council actions, public transparency, and proper certification of municipal records and proceedings.

Prepares and maintains official legislative documents and records, including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and related filings

Serves as custodian of official City records, ensuring proper indexing, public access, and statutory compliance

Certifies, publishes, records, seals, and attests to ordinances, contracts, bonds, deeds, and other legal documents as required by law

Provides procedural support to boards and commissions, administers oaths of office, oversees permits and licenses, and interprets municipal codes

Strong leadership and staff supervision skills

Advanced knowledge of municipal finance, accounting, and budgeting

Understanding of public administration and municipal government operations

Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations

High level of integrity and ability to manage confidential information

Proficiency in financial systems and standard office software

Ability to develop policies, procedures, and long‑range plans

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration. Certified Municipal Clerk or sufficient training to be a Certified Municipal Clerk.

A minimum of 5 years of related experience in municipal government

Sagency, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, has been retained for this Finance Director search. Sagency consultants will review and evaluate all interested parties to help the hiring team review a final group for consideration.

The application and selection process will proceed as follows:

Step 1: Submit Your Application
Complete the online application and upload your resume. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Qualified candidates may be contacted for a brief phone conversation, followed by a 60‑minute video interview with a Sagency Executive Search Consultant.