Assistant to the City Manager - Budget

City-of-Lancaster-1; Lancaster (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lancaster is seeking an analytical and strategic professional to serve as Assistant to the City Manager - Budget. The role partners with the City Manager's Office and Finance Department to develop, analyze, and manage the City’s annual operating and capital budgets and the CIP.

The ideal candidate will transform complex financial data into insights, forecast long-range financial trends, and present clear recommendations to executive leadership and City Council.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal budgeting, financial analysis, government finance, accounting, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates development and administration of the City's annual operating and capital budgets.
• Evaluates departmental budget requests and funding priorities.
• Prepares financial analysis and recommendations on funding levels, costs, revenues, and expenditures.
• Develops multi-year financial forecasts for major City funds.
• Coordinates development of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Monitors revenues and expenditures and reports variances and opportunities for improvement.
• Performs cost-benefit and fiscal-impact analyses for programs and projects.
• Translates financial information into clear executive-level reports and presentations.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information and meets budget deadlines.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Help turn financial data into strategic decisions that shape Lancaster's future.

The City of Lancaster is seeking a highly analytical, collaborative, and strategic professional to serve as Assistant to the City Manager - Budget within the City Manager's Office.

This position serves as a key resource to executive leadership in the development, analysis, administration, and long-range planning of the City's financial priorities. The Assistant to the City Manager - Budget coordinates the City's annual budget process, supports development of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), prepares financial forecasts and analysis, monitors departmental budget performance, and provides recommendations that support responsible and effective use of City resources.

Working closely with the City Manager's Office, Finance Department, department directors, and other City leadership, this position transforms complex financial and operational information into clear recommendations for executive leadership and City Council.

The ideal candidate is more than someone who enjoys working with numbers. We are looking for someone who can see the story behind the numbers, identify trends and concerns, ask the right questions, develop solutions, and clearly communicate what the information means for City operations and future priorities.

At the City of Lancaster, we take PRIDE in the services we provide and the community we serve. This position supports those values through responsible stewardship of public resources, thoughtful analysis, collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to excellence.

• Leads and coordinates the development and administration of the City's annual operating and capital budgets, including development of budget instructions, calendars, departmental submissions, reports, presentations, and related materials.
• Works closely with the City Manager's Office, Finance Department, department directors, and staff throughout the organization to evaluate departmental budget requests, financial needs, priorities, and proposed adjustments.
• Reviews and analysis departmental budget proposals and funding requests for accuracy, completeness, financial impact, operational need, and alignment with City priorities.
• Prepares financial analysis and recommendations regarding funding levels, programs, services, personnel, operating costs, revenues, expenditures, and other financial matters for consideration by the City Manager's Office.
• Develops and analysis multi-year financial forecasts for major City funds, including projected revenues, expenditures, financial trends, and potential future impacts.
• Coordinates and supports development of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by working with departments to identify projects, costs, timelines, priorities, and potential funding sources.
• Monitors City revenues and expenditures and analysis monthly and periodic financial reports to identify trends, variances, potential overages, funding concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Conducts fiscal-impact analysis related to proposed programs, services, initiatives, staffing, capital projects, policies, and other City decisions.
• Performs cost-benefit analysis and evaluates funding or financing alternatives for programs, projects, and operational requests.
• Develops and monitors financial and departmental performance measures associated with the City's annual budget, strategic priorities, and organizational goals.
• Coordinates with department directors and staff to monitor budget performance and assist departments in addressing budgetary concerns, necessary adjustments, and changing financial conditions.
• Provides financial and budgetary information, analysis, reports, and recommendations to the City Manager, executive leadership, and City Council as requested.
• Prepares and assists with executive-level presentations, budget workshops, City Council presentations, Town Hall materials, reports, and other financial communications.
• Translates complex financial and technical information into clear, understandable reports, presentations, and recommendations for executive leadership, elected officials, employees, and the public.
• Conducts benchmarking, surveys, financial research, and comparisons with other municipalities and organizations to evaluate programs, services, costs, revenues, staffing, and financial practices.
• Researches and evaluates financial policies, procedures, practices, and processes and recommends improvements that promote efficiency, accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Coordinates with the Finance Department and City departments to help ensure accounting, revenue, expenditure, and financial processes remain consistent with the approved budget and organizational priorities.
• Maintains and analysis historical financial information, budget records, reports, forecasts, supporting documents, calendars, and related files.
• Coordinates information regarding departmental and organizational goals..
• Manages multiple complex assignments and deadlines during the annual budget process and throughout the fiscal year.
• Maintains confidentiality of financial, personnel, operational, and other sensitive City information.
• May be required to work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, to meet budget deadlines, attend meetings, support City Council activities, or respond during departmental or Citywide emergencies.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Completes special projects and performs other related duties as assigned by the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and/or Assistant City Manager.
• Review Statem National and World events for impact on City budget / Operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities -

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or a closely related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal budgeting, financial analysis, government finance, accounting, fiscal operations, public administration, or a closely related field.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience may be considered.

Municipal or other governmental budgeting experience is strongly preferred.

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Annual operating and capital budget development
• Municipal or governmental finance
• Revenue and expenditure forecasting
• Capital Improvement Programs
• Financial and fiscal-impact analysis
• Performance measurement
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Long-range financial planning
• Executive or City Council reporting and presentations
• Financial policy or process improvement
• Governmental accounting or auditing

The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to:

• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate complex financial and budgetary information.
• Evaluate revenues, expenditures, forecasts, financial reports, budgets, and performance measures.
• Identify trends, discrepancies, risks, and potential financial concerns through data analysis.
• Develop practical recommendations based on financial and operational information.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, fiscal-impact analysis, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Communicate technical and financial information clearly to individuals with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Prepare professional reports and presentations for executive leadership and elected officials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, departments, employees, residents, and other stakeholders.
• Exercise sound independent judgment while working collaboratively within the City Manager's Office.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive financial and organizational information.

Proficiency with spreadsheet, database, accounting, financial reporting, project management, word processing, and other job-related software is expected.

A valid Class C driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required. Driving is a requirement of this position.