JOB TITLE: Deputy Finance Director
AGENCY: City of Riverside
LOCATION: Riverside, CA
FILING DEADLINE: January 29, 2024
SALARY RANGE: $138,348 – $213,084 Annually
Reporting to the Finance Director, this position plans, organizes, supervises, and participates in the collection, custody, investment, and disbursement of City funds to oversee and ensure accurate and efficient financial operations, financial reporting, and participates in the development and execution of comprehensive financial strategies. It is imperative for the success of the department to collaborate with executive leadership to drive financial sustainability and optimize long-term fiscal outcomes. The Deputy Finance Director will provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to division managers within the Finance Department.
Riverside is a full-service city with Police and Fire Departments; Electric, Water, Sewer and Refuse utilities; a Convention Center and other entertainment venues; Museum; Transit; and other services not typical of smaller cities. With a citywide budget in excess of $1.4 billion and capital improvement plan of $140 million, candidates will tackle the unique challenges of a large, full-service city, recommending strategic financial solutions that align financing for numerous City services with the City Council’s strategic initiatives.
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Supervise, train, and evaluate staff while providing technical guidance and mentorship to employees. Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to Division Managers within the Finance Department.
- Supervise the Finance Department’s day-to-day operations in the accounting, purchasing, treasury, and business tax divisions, providing financial expertise and guidance to division managers; develop and ensure efficient and effective processes and exemplary customer service to City staff and external parties.
- Supervise the Finance Department’s risk management division, develop comprehensive risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies, monitor and report on the citywide risk profile, and emphasize cross-departmental collaboration and cohesion with workers’ compensation, safety, and claims functions.
- Oversee the preparation of financial statements and reports, ensuring compliance with accounting pronouncements and various mandates; and providing accurate and timely financial reports, presentations, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
- Assist in managing staffing levels, develop and oversee staff development programs and cross-training initiatives, and recommend succession planning strategies to ensure a skilled and adaptable workforce in the Finance Department.
- Identify and implement opportunities for process improvements and automation within the Finance Department, leveraging inter-departmental collaboration to optimize financial operations and enhance efficiency, accuracy, timeliness, and customer service.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and reporting on Finance Department operational strategies, goals, performance measures, internal control systems, and key performance indicators.
- Perform other duties as assigned or required.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an experienced, innovative, and collaborative finance professional who enjoys challenges and creative solutions and has a mentorship approach to managing employees. The Deputy Finance Director will be expected to provide strength and oversight in the areas of accounting, purchasing, treasury, business tax, technology projects, and day-to-day operations, as well as supporting a transparent organizational culture. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are necessary to build and foster positive staff and interdepartmental relationships, as well as provide clear presentations and reports to leadership, various committees, and community groups. This position requires a manager with a solid track record in process improvements and streaming operational efficiencies, facilitating projects across departments, staff development and mentorship, and effectively managing resources and workloads. Succession planning will be a key to success as this position offers excellent promotional opportunity. The successful candidate will have the ability to create a workplace of mutual trust and respect in a close-knit working environment.
Key Attributes and Characteristics
- A self-motivated and assertive leader that takes initiative and models positive behaviors for a high performing, team-oriented working environment.
- Work with group managers and supervisors, respecting their ability to run divisions while still being available to offer guidance and process improvements with a collaborative style.
- The ability to creatively communicate complex financial information to non-financial audiences verbally and in writing, using graphics, and simple, practical terms.
- A management style that looks for continuous ways to improve processes, utilizes technology to create efficiencies to ensure continued fiscal responsibility.
- A charismatic and humble leader who demonstrates confidence and high integrity, while providing excellent customer service.
- An active lister, calm under pressure, possessing a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.
The City of Riverside
The City of Riverside is a growing metropolitan hub, with an artistic spirit, positioned for a sustainable urban future. Ranked as the 12th largest city in the state with a population of 317,000, Riverside is an urban amenities center that includes museums, theaters, fine dining, an array of festivals and markets, and four internationally recognized universities and colleges.
For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rev3-Riverside-DFD.pdf.
To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, and five work related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/riverside-deputy-fin-dir/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of past organization(s).
For additional information, please contact:
Frank Rojas
Phone (510) 495-0448
Website: https://koffassociates.com/
To learn more about the City of Riverside, go to: https://riversideca.gov/.