Finance Director
ABOUT THE POSITION:
The successful candidate for this position will have an excellent opportunity and challenge ahead, given the continued growth of the Grand Junction area. For the established professional seeking further career development, this position can serve as an ideal next step.
As the person in charge of managing and overseeing all financial activities and functions for the City, the Finance Director plays a critical role. This includes financial planning, cash flow management, accounting, internal controls, audit, payroll, budget development, debt and treasury management, and grant and sales tax administration.
Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Finance Director works closely with Department Directors, City Council, and other essential stakeholders to implement the City's fiscal strategy. In fulfilling these duties, the Finance Director is expected to demonstrate leadership that aligns with the City's values of protecting public funds, ethical decision-making, excellent internal and external customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement and learning, not only within the department but throughout the City as a whole.
ABOUT THE DEPARMENT:
The City of Grand Junction Finance Department includes the operations of Finance Administration, Budget, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Grants Administration, Tax Administration, and Municipal Court. The Finance Department provides a wide range of services that help ensure City resources are managed with integrity and accountability in alignment with the City’s strategic plan.
The City of Grand Junction is a $300+ million organization, and the Finance Department is comprised of highly trained professionals who manage the organizations' financial functions and strategically partners with the City’s Departments to serve the community. The department has consistently received GFOA awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced financial management professional with a substantial record of work in areas such as budget development and analysis, financial forecasting, capital planning, budget monitoring, accounting, debt management, and financial systems.
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
- An experienced leader with a track record of responsible fiscal management and the ability to provide strategic direction and guidance to the finance department.
- Exceptional analytical skills and be able to use data-driven methods and financial strategies to navigate complex, changing landscapes.
- Significant technical expertise in budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
- Impressive interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex financial information and present information to executive leadership and the City Council for decision-making.
- A team player who can work collaboratively with other departments, stakeholders, and external partners to achieve organizational strategic objectives and inspire and lead the Finance Department's talented, dedicated staff.
THE ORGANIZATION AND THE COMMUNITY:
With over 870 full-time employees, the City provides a full range of municipal services including Public Safety, Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Engineering and Transportation, Community Development, and Destination Marketing. As a values-driven organization, city employees exemplify the core values of Continuous Improvement, Collaborative Partnerships, and Exemplary Service in meeting the needs of our community members, visitors and businesses.
Grand Junction is a vibrant city located in western Colorado, known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities provided by the geographical diversity of the Grand Mesa, the Book Cliffs, the Colorado National Monument, and the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. With a strong sense of community and a commitment to public safety, Grand Junction offers an excellent quality of life for residents and families.
Grand Junction serves as the regional hub for retail, education, entertainment, and medical care in western Colorado and eastern Utah. The city is home to Colorado Mesa University, which currently enrolls 11,000 students. Along with the university, the city boasts a regional airport (GJT), offering direct flights to several locations including Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
With a robust downtown, Grand Junction hosts multiple art, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of more than 65,000, the city has many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. The area enjoys an average of 245 days of sunshine, making Grand Junction the perfect place to live, work, and play.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Our organization recognizes the significance of having a content and energetic workforce; therefore, we provide a comprehensive benefits package to promote a harmonious work-life balance. This package comprises 32 days of paid annual leave that can be utilized for holidays, personal and/or sick days, health insurance alternatives, employer-matched retirement, a City employee health clinic, a wellness program, and an Employee Assistance Program.
Moreover, our employees have the opportunity to serve the community they reside in and cherish. They find their work satisfying and gratifying, knowing that their day-to-day job contributes to a positive impact.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Manage and oversee all services and activities of the Finance Department including, but not limited to, financial planning, cash flow management, accounting, internal controls, audit, payroll, budget development, debt and treasury management, grant and sales tax administration and court administration.
- Manage the development and implementation of the Finance Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
- Plan, direct, coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Department's work plan.
- Select, train, motivate and evaluate financial operations personnel; provide or coordinate staff training.
- Establish, maintain, evaluate, and oversee internal control structures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting, and financial reporting standards; ensure audit compliance.
- Develop and maintain the financial reporting system; prepare various financial reports and statements as requested and direct the preparations of the financial reports as required by law.
- Coordinate the development and presentation of the City-wide budget; organize and enhance the systems, processes, policies, and procedures used throughout the organization for developing and tracking the City's operating and capital budget.