Finance Director

The City Manager is seeking candidates who would see the City of Bastrop Finance Director position as a great long-term career opportunity and the city as an exceptional place to live, someone who would look forward to becoming an active member of the community.

The Finance Director oversees the operations of an organization with a Fiscal 2024-2025 General Fund Operating Budget of over $17 million. The Hotel-Motel Tax Fund, which accounts for revenues generated by the hotel occupancy tax, has approximately $4 million in annual revenues which meets the designated expenditures plus debt payments on the Convention Center and related facilities.

This position is responsible for leading Finance personnel, providing administrative direction and coordination for the fiscal and administrative activities of the City, including finance and budget administration, accounting, billing and collection, cash management, debt management, purchasing, and investment policy. Under the direction of the City Manager and in accord with the City of Bastrop’s organizational values, goals and leadership philosophy, the Finance Director is responsible for the leadership and management of all financial operations of the City, including planning, organizing, and controlling financial resources, and expenditure processes. This function is conducted in coordination/collaboration with the senior leadership team.

• Provides premier customer service to citizens, internal and external customers by responding to requests in a positive, timely, effective, and professional manner.
• Provides administrative direction and coordination for the fiscal and administrative activities of the City, including finance and budget administration, accounting, billing and collection, cash management, debt management, purchasing, and investment policy.
• Provides administrative direction
• Develops and implements strategic plan, policies and procedures and internal controls to support current and future financial needs to the organization.
• Serves as Staff Liaison to the Fairview Cemetery Advisory Board and the Hunter’s Crossing Local Government Corporation.
• Manages all insurance coverage including property, liability, and worker’s comp.
• Coordinates the preparation of annual budget and monitors throughout the year.
• Coordinates annual audit report to the City Manager and City Council.
• Coordinates with tax assessment and collection agencies.
• Develops financial policies and procedures for the City.
• Advises and makes recommendations on all fiscal policy.
• Monitors the City’s financial condition and financial activities to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, state and federal statutes, City Charter, and bond covenants.
• Establishes department goals and objectives, and initiates development of new programs and services.
• Performs special studies and research as requested by the City Manager’s Office and makes recommendations on changes and improvements to City practices and procedures that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Works positively and cooperatively to provide assistance to other departments as needed.
• Adheres to the City’s Code of Ethics.
• Attends meetings and conducts projects and research as requested by the City Manager’s Office.
• Responsible for regular in-person attendance and working after hours, weekends, and holidays as required.

LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:

In discussing their desired qualities for the next Finance Director, the City Manager and staff indicate an interest in a person with strong leadership and interpersonal skills; a creative, visionary municipal professional who can assist the City Manager in maintaining the quality services the City’s residents have grown accustomed to, as well as preparing the City for the anticipated growth in the area.

The selected candidate should create a culture of excellence, employing best practices and promoting continuous improvement. Ensuring that the needs of employees and residents will be met with the highest degree of professionalism and outstanding customer service will be an on-going priority.

The Finance Director should have the ability to build coalitions to accomplish the vision of the City Council, taking care to encourage a consensus that is derived by consideration of all input. The next Finance Director should also have the following additional knowledge, skills, or abilities:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of budgetary, governmental accounting and reporting systems, Local Government Code Chapter 102, GAAFR, GAAP, Truth in Taxation, GASB regulations, and experience with producing an ACFR.
• A proven record as a team player who applies ethics that reflect honesty and integrity in all relationships to establish an example to staff and citizens.
• Strong experience in debt management and various capital project financing techniques including impact fees and designated sales taxes.
• A track record of successfully managing a municipal investment program.
• Outstanding personnel management and leadership skills, including the ability to relate to a broad range of people both inside the organization and community.
• Demonstrated commitment to staff development and involvement with the intentional focus on developing future leadership for the Department. Includes the ability to select, organize and motivate a top-notch staff.
• Exceptional aptitude to anticipate problems, identify alternative courses of action, prepare proactive recommendations; present, defend and support those recommendations before the City Manager, City Council, advisory groups, or citizens.
• Excellent communication skills, be comfortable with public speaking, have outstanding presentation skills with the ability to engage with a diverse range of people.
• Highly collaborative spirit, effectively working with and engaging other departments within the organization.
• Visionary with a track record of innovation, resourcefulness, and influential leadership within the organization, community, and interfacing entities.
• Processes banking requirements i.e., wire transfers, investments, transfer of funds, problem solving, security requirements.
• Ability to be politically savvy, but never political, and must be a highly effective negotiator and mediator who can build consensus and forge strategic partnerships, internally as well as externally.
• Participate with Emergency Management when the needs arrive with the duties assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Successful candidates for the position of Finance Director will possess, at a minimum, the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred in Management of Public Administration.
• Thorough knowledge of general management principles; and principles, methods, and practices of municipal finance as well as the ability to plan, direct and coordinate the diversified work activities of several divisions.
• At least seven years of related municipal experience required.
• Certified Public Accountant and/or Certified Government Finance Officer preferred.
• Possession of a valid Class C Texas Driver License with a satisfactory driving record.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is up to $141,588 annually, depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. The following package is also offered.

• Medical and dental insurance and benefits are provided at zero premium cost to the employee
• 50% dependent health care benefits premium contribution
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year (13 named holidays & 1 floating holiday)
• Retirement plan with Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) will include a 7% contribution of an employee’s gross salary with a city contribution match of 2 to 1 (14%) at retirement.
• Retirement eligibility: Vested after 5 years and retirement eligible after 20 years of service or age 60.
• Additional retirement fund option to participate in a 457 plan.
• Basic Life Insurance policy of $150,000 paid by the City.
• Vacation Leave
• 8 hours of Sick Leave per month (accrual max 960 hrs.)

For more information on this position or City benefits please contact Tanya Cantrell, Human Resources Director, at 512-332-8812 or tcantrell@cityofbastrop.org.

Apply Online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Bastrop Please attach a resume and letter of interest. In your letter of interest, please include your current position title and highlights of your accomplishments in your current position.

Applicants selected as finalists will be subject to a background review prior to interview.

Under the Texas Public Information Act, information from your resume may be subject to release to the public.