City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Director, Financial Services

Reporting to Chief Financial Officer, and with nominal direction, this position is responsible for the financial and economic integrity of the City by providing transparency and reliable financial information to the City Council, City management, and the community. Manages the activities and operations of the Financial Services Department, annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and oversses the City’s investment portfolio, debt management, and the City’s financial information systems. Coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies and provides highly responsible and complex support to the City Manager's Office.

1. Is responsible for all functions of the Financial Services Department (FSD), including accounting and reporting, procurement, treasury, financial information systems, and real estate.
2. Provides oversight in the development and operations of the City's centralized financial information systems.
3. Ensures that policy and strategy for the City’s financial management are coordinated with the City's budget and that sound financial business practices are maintained.
4. Provides oversight to the City's financial reporting system and ensures that the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report is prepared timely and in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
5. Ensures that the City's automated financial system, payroll system, and related applications provide City departments and management with timely disbursements and with information that is timely, cost beneficial, and in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
6. Provides written and oral presentations to Council, boards and commissions, the media, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders as necessary.
7. Provides oversight to the City's procurement process and ensuring that solicitations are performed timely and cost effectively.
8. Provides oversight to policies, procedures, and practices relating to City bond issuances, cash management, and investments.
9. Provides oversight to regulatory compliance of franchises and utility licenses.
10. Oversees the operations of FSD and is responsible for all relevant issues in the offices, including staffing and logistics.
11. Provides oversight to the strategic management of the City’s real estate portfolio, including property sales, acquisitions, leases, redevelopment, development financing, and facility planning.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and termination.

• Knowledge of municipal bonds (general obligation, certificates of obligation, and revenue, etc.).
• Knowledge of municipal investments and investment optimization strategies and techniques.
• Knowledge of modern management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of inter-local agreements and practices and inter-local agency governmental budgetary practices.
• Skill with inter-local agency government purchasing laws and practices.
• Skill with Local, State, and City rules and regulations; basic laws, ordinances, and regulations underlying a public sector organization; and applicable County, State, and Federal legislation affecting municipalities.
• Skill in the areas of municipal accounting, budgeting, financial control, and financial forecasting methods.
• Skill in public administration principles, including the basic principles of organization, management, and budget preparation.
• Skill in current best practices of leadership and management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, executive management, peers, State and County officials, outside agencies and partners, vendors, media representatives, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple agencies and different governmental structures to meet inter-local agreement goals and objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City of Austin.

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public or Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, plus six (6) of experience in municipal financial management, including at least three (3) years of experience in a senior management capacity.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, or another relevant field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.