OVERVIEW
This position is responsible for developing, managing, and modifying the structure and process surrounding District-wide financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, internal reporting, and advanced financial analysis in support of financial and operational decision making. This includes providing direction in key planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities including leading the enterprise business planning cycle, resulting in cohesive, integrated, long-range strategic, business, and financial plans with clearly defined financial metrics, strategies, and goals. This position works closely with senior and middle management and business groups to develop recommendations regarding compliance with strategic financial policies, strategies, and leverage business opportunities to best position the District for future growth and successful attainment of strategic goals. This position leads planning, development and reporting of the District's Balanced Scorecard, provides Cost of Service Analysis to support rating making and performs Business Advisor duties for the Board of Commissioners, General Manager, Finance, Risk and Energy Resources. The Business Advisor duties, responsibilities and departments supported may change from time to time based on the organization's needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting Process - Lead District Wide strategic short and long range financial and business planning processes, including budgets and forecasts, to achieve the District's strategic objectives and financial goals. Identify and provide alternatives to leverage emerging financial and business opportunities. Identify and recommend continuous process improvements to improve efficiency, effectiveness and the informative value of the financial and business planning and reporting cycle and reporting. Lead Balanced Scorecard planning, monitoring, and reporting efforts. Consult with business units to develop and implement planning goals. Develop and implement practices to ensure that key financial information, policies, and metrics are presented and conveyed to executive management to support key decision making and in accordance with budget policy and resolutions. Lead the enterprise business planning and budgeting processes and the development and maintenance of financial models. Develop and recommend company financial targets benchmarks. Develop and conduct financial presentations for senior management and the Board of Commissioners.
Provide Financial Analysis Support and Recommendations - Interact with executive management and finance business partners to communicate business issues and risks. Provide advanced financial analysis support for projects with District-wide strategic implications. Oversee the development, enhancement, and operation of additional predictive economic and financial models, such as end-use load forecast models, hydro optimization models, volatility models, cost of service models, long-range financial forecast model, etc. Lead multi department team(s) in the development of complex analysis supporting various studies or projects such as cost of service and rate design.
Monitor and Report - Define, focus, and monitor timely completion of financial forecasts. Quantify opportunities and risks and identify actions to achieve desired outcomes. Oversee decision support management reporting and assist with controlling expenditures. Regularly assess and report on business unit performance and budget variances. Assist staff in monthly review of financial results to identify and explain significant variances to forecast to management. Review major capital expenditure proposals and economic justifications for conformity with District plans. Implement and maintain a process for planning, prioritizing, and evaluation of a portfolio of asset investment opportunities and identified results. Provide competitive intelligence to management, through interpretation and dissemination of financial news and trends in the power industry. Perform Business Advisor duties for Finance, Risk, Energy Resources, General Manager, and Board of Commissioners. Business Advisor duties, responsibilities and departments supported may change from time to time based on the organization's needs.
Supervise strategic financial planning staff including, but not limited to, performance management, employee development, hiring, and discipline. Work closely with Finance Directors and Business Managers/Advisors across the enterprise. Promote teamwork among Finance and other Groups' staff and provide cross-functional participation on data analytics and business intelligence projects as needed.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
This position manages/supervises people. Direct Resources Managed: 2-9. Indirect Resources Managed: None.
Overtime exemption
Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.
- Bachelor's Degree B. S., B. A. from a four-year college or university in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Management Information Systems, Business Technology Management, or related field is required.
- An advanced degree or CPA is desired.
Experience
- 8+ years of progressively responsible experience leading or managing business financial operations, leading complex financial analysis projects and leading long and short-range planning processes is required.
- 3+ years of successful supervisory experience is preferred.
- Candidates with demonstrated expertise with accounting, economics, financial technology systems and/or with experience in the utility industry is preferred.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities:
- Strong knowledge of financial, budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning techniques and technologies.
- Generally accepted accounting principles, FASB, GASB, and accounting systems.
- Project management practices and procedures.
- Modeling, forecasting, and research methods and technologies.
- Functional knowledge of the public utility industry and power markets.
- Knowledge and understanding of the District’s financial and operational information.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
- Planning, negotiating, consensus-building, communicating, decision-making, presenting, and organizing skills.
- Complex problem solving - identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Critical thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Systems evaluation - identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Interpreting financial and operating data, making complex calculations, and conducting technical analyses with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to acquire business and financial data and translate into understandable information to be used in decision-making.
- Able to effectively present recommendations to all levels of management, including the General Manager and the Board of Commissioners, and the general public.
- Ability to communicate persuasively and motivate others.
- Ability to demonstrate financial, strategic, and analytical thinking and develop sound conclusions and recommendations to senior management.
- Ability to develop recommendations using both subjective and objective criteria and a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
- Ability to identify, explore, recommend, and implement innovative ideas and approaches.
- Ability to influence, establish and maintain credibility.
- Ability to work collaboratively and gain support for ideas and work products.
- Able to lead and direct comprehensive analyses, research projects, and cross-functional teams.
- Able to be open and approachable.
- Able to recognize and thank employees
- Able to be consistent, objective and treat people equitably.
- Able to make expectations clear and hold employees accountable.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual would have knowledge of Maximo Order Processing and General Office Equipment. Intermediate knowledge of PeopleSoft Time Entry/HRIS; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. Advanced knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials; Microsoft Excel and Cognos (or similar technologies).
- Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Sitting - Regularly
- Standing - Frequently
- Walking - Occasionally
- Lifting 1-10 lbs Floor-Waist - Occasionally
- Stooping/Bending - Occasionally
- Reach Waist to Shoulder - Occasionally
- Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.) - Frequently
- Repetitive Motions - Frequently
- Talking - Frequently
- Hearing - Frequently
- Visual - Near Acuity - Regularly
- Visual - Far Acuity - Regularly
- Visual - Depth Perception - Regularly
- Visual - Color Discrimination - Regularly
WORKING CONDITIONS
Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate
District Values
Trust
We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve.
Safety
We protect what matters most through the choices we make.
Stewardship
We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations.
Collaboration
We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power – partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future.
Courage
We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.