Deputy Director of Finance

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Alexandria has a vibrant waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work.  About one-quarter of the City’s square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district.  We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead.  If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the Deputy Director of Finance position (two deputy director positions are advertised).

AN OVERVIEW

The City of Alexandria is seeking to fill two Deputy Director of Finance positions with candidates who possess a strong sense of vision to help create a responsive and collaborative team of finance professionals.  With oversight from the Director of Finance, the Deputy Directors will be responsible for working in a Finance leadership team environment. Each deputy will be assigned distinct portfolios of other City departments for which they will develop strong relationships and subject matter expertise over their financial needs, to include grant management. Working with the cognizant Finance Division heads, internal Finance assignments will include oversight of key financial functions, such as the timely completion of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the Single Audit, monthly financial reconciliations, and year-end close out by the Accounting Division; oversight of general procurement operations seeking to increase efficiency and effectiveness, and special oversight of Small, Women, and Minority programs; monitoring and oversight of the Risk Management program seeking to ensure responsiveness in all facets of operation; approval of payroll and external wires; development of departmental policy documentation and training; assist in the review of tax administration operations; and focus on customer service efforts throughout the department.

The Deputy Directors will have the opportunity to develop new and revise existing policies, processes, and procedures to help establish and institutionalize a contemporary, technology-driven, and nimble financial organization seeking to “Move At the Speed of Business.”

These are new positions intended to increase departmental bench strength and support continuity and succession planning.  These positions have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of financial areas, including collective bargaining, economic development, procurement disparity, and insurance strategy.  In the absence of the Director of Finance, either position will hold the authority of the Director of Finance, established by the Code of Virginia and the City Charter.  The City of Alexandria, Virginia is an independent City with an All-Funds Operating Budget of $1.23 billion in FY 2026 (including $956.5 million of General Funds), and a 10-year Capital Improvement Program of $2.08 billion.  The City’s most recent bond issuance received AAA/Aaa ratings, and the City’s current outstanding debt is approximately $1.1 billion.          

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

The ideal candidate has experience successfully managing teams of financial professionals tasked with producing complex, critical financial reports and documents. Additional skills and abilities include:

• Thorough knowledge of local government finance.
• Management experience over a substantial span of control in financial operations.
• Ability to navigate multiple tasks simultaneously, and respond to customer needs timely and effectively
• Thorough knowledge of modern office management principles, practices and equipment.
• Ability to manage complex financial business processes.
• Ability to prepare accurate and complete financial reports.
• Ability to plan, organize, assign and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to communicate clearly, courteously, and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management and external business partners.

THE OPPORTUNITY - EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Working with Division heads to plan, coordinate and monitor the activities of divisions such as Accounting, Procurement, Payroll, Tax Operations, and the Risk Management team.
• Serves on the City’s Investment Committee.
• Ensures the timely preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report by Accounting
• Coordinates with the Procurement division to ensure fair, competitive execution of the City’s procurement activities, contract management, and diversity programs.
• Assists in the review and oversight of tax administration operations to ensure statutory compliance while maximizing responsiveness and customer service.
• Assists in and reviews revenue forecasting and economic analysis.
• Analyzes, reviews, and provides comments and recommendations on proposed legislation that may impact the city.
• Assist in formulating the annual budget with the Chief of Administration and Finance Director.
• Directs and manages the Department’s operations, as needed, to include personnel resources, staffing, handling operational and employee concerns, and ensuring adequate training of personnel, approving employee leave, participating in decisions to hire, discipline, discharge and promotion of employees.
• Works directly with the Finance Divisions to provide subject matter expertise and assistance to City agencies and employees in the areas of financial management, financial reporting, procurement, grant management, and safety and risk management.
• Participates in projects, initiatives and meetings with a variety of stakeholders where the City’s assets or fiscal situation are concerned.
• Formulates the goals and objectives of the Finance Department.
• Represents the department at Council and City department meetings when required.
• May serve on City boards as necessary.
• Performs related work, as required.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The City of Alexandria's Finance Department is a fast-paced, diverse, and customer service focused operation that is responsible for: the assessment, collection, and enforcement of all City taxes, the management of cash flow and investments, accounting for and reporting the City’s financial position, processing payroll, executing a fair and competitive procurement environment, assessing all real and personal property in the City, managing the City’s risk and safety programs, and managing the City’s pension plans. The Finance Department has seven divisions and in fiscal year 2026 is operating with a total budget of $16.1 million and 109 FTE positions.

The goal of the Finance Department is to treat all employees, residents, and business owners professionally, with fairness and compassion.

MINIMUM AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a four-year college degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in finance, business administration, or public administration; Plus, five years of progressively responsible financial management and supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the following required knowledge, skills and abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Expertise in the City’s ERP— Tyler Munis, or similar complex ERP systems

Subject matter expertise in financial management, to include areas such as bond debt, the local budget process, Capital Improvement Programs, the ACFR (GASB), and/or procurement

Analytical experience

Experience making public presentations to senior officials

Master’s Degree or other post-graduate professional degree in relevant subject matter

NOTES

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to a criminal background check.  The selection process for this position may include a phone or virtual interview, and in-person interview.
The hiring salary range for this position is generally $115,562.20 to $161,307.77, based on qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position job class is $115,562.20 to $207,053.34.

Interested applicants may apply online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alexandria/jobs/5285968/deputy-director-of-finance