Budget Director

City of New Haven; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New Haven is seeking a Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) to lead, coordinate, plan, and prepare for current and long-range budgetary needs across the City. You will advise the Mayor on adopted tax policies, revenue strategies, and fiscal direction while coordinating with the Controller and other departments.

The role requires a master’s degree in municipal finance or related field and at least five years’ experience in governmental budgeting, plus leadership in

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Master’s degree in municipal finance, public administration, or business administration.
• At least five years’ experience in governmental budgeting, public administration, and supervisory experience in budgetary or municipal finance work.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in financial strategies and priorities, including long-range planning.
• Establish, plan and direct the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the city budget.
• Estimate resources by analyzing revenue levels and grant distributions from state/federal sources.
• Monitor, analyze, and respond to legislation and budget proposals during the annual cycle.
• Develop and execute a communications plan for budget issues to multiple audiences.
• Confer with department heads to resolve budget questions and present requests to management.
• Attend budget hearings and assist the Board of Alders with financial responsibilities.
• Coordinate financial functions across departments and external partners on policy and budget matters.
• Conduct investigations of departments and report findings to the Mayor and Controller.
• Advise on day-to-day management and fiscal problem solving across multiple offices.
• Plan comparative analyses of budgeting practices with other jurisdictions.
• Assist Labor Relations with negotiations and labor-impacts of budget decisions.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

Budgeting

Public administration

Financial analysis

Policy development

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Education

Master’s degree in municipal finance, public administration, or business administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This is a responsible cabinet level, professional and administrative position, within the Office of Mayor directing, coordinating, planning, and preparing for current and long-range budgetary requirements of the city and monitoring implementation. In addition to overseeing the development and execution of the City budget, the Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) in a staff capacity advises the mayor on the budget’s adopted tax policies, collection rates, overall financial strategies, and direction of the City, advise on policies and procedures and any other difficult or complex fiscal problems encountered.

In addition, the Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) works on the overall management strategy in conjunction with appropriate City staff, including but not limited to oversight of city agencies performance, human capital management, labor strategies, and overall management strategies of the city. The work is performed under the general direction of the mayor, in accordance with policies established by the Mayor, Board of Alders and City’s Charter/General Code of Ordinance requirements regarding Budget development and implementation. The Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) works in conjunction with the Controller on policies and operations of the Department of Finance, and overall budget and fiscal affairs of the City. There is considerable latitude for professional and administrative judgment and initiative in carrying out the activities of the budget operation.

This is a responsible cabinet level, professional and administrative position, within the Office of Mayor directing, coordinating, planning, and preparing for current and long-range budgetary requirements of the city and monitoring implementation. In addition to overseeing the development and execution of the City budget, the Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) in a staff capacity advises the mayor on the budget’s adopted tax policies, collection rates, overall financial strategies, and direction of the City, advise on policies and procedures and any other difficult or complex fiscal problems encountered.

In addition, the Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) works on the overall management strategy in conjunction with appropriate City staff, including but not limited to oversight of city agencies performance, human capital management, labor strategies, and overall management strategies of the city. The work is performed under the general direction of the mayor, in accordance with policies established by the Mayor, Board of Alders and City’s Charter/General Code of Ordinance requirements regarding Budget development and implementation. The Director of Policy, Management, Grants (Budget Director) works in conjunction with the Controller on policies and operations of the Department of Finance, and overall budget and fiscal affairs of the City. There is considerable latitude for professional and administrative judgment and initiative in carrying out the activities of the budget operation.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing leadership, direction, and guidance in financial strategies and priorities, including long-range financial software needs, evaluating City needs, and determining financial resource requirements and goals
• Establishes, plans and directs the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the budget program of the Board of Alders under the general direction of the Mayor.
• Estimates resources for budget purposes by analyzing and recommending anticipated operating revenue levels by analyzing State and Federal legislation and regulations involving the distribution of grant funds to the City.
• Monitoring, analyzing, and responding to legislation and budgetary proposals and requests, particularly during the annual budget process.
• Developing and executing a communications plan for messaging to multiple audiences around budgetary and policy issues
• Confers with departmental officials to resolve questions pertaining to budgetary requirements; attends intra- departmental conferences on budget requests; presents budget requests orally to management and fiscal officials.
• Attend budget hearings to review departmental budget requests; provides information and assistance to the Board of Alders in their budget and financial responsibilities.
• Coordinates financial functions between the Office of Policy, Management, and Grants, Department of Finance, other municipal departments and external with respect to financial policy, budget analysis and other financial affairs.
• Conducts investigations of the functions, organizations and accounting of operating departments and recommends improvements and reports results to the Mayor and Controller
• Advises department heads on the solution of day-to-day management and fiscal problems; Performs a wide variety of responsible management or program duties that are not readily assigned to a given department.
• Plans and directs the conduct of comparative analyses of the management and budgetary practices of other governmental jurisdictions and the city.
• Assist the Office of Labor Relations in negations with various bargaining units or overall bargaining unit contract implementation, re-classes of job duties or other budgetary/financial impact of labor.
• Performs related duties as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; possession of a master’s degree in municipal finance, public administration, or business administration; at least five (5) years’ experience in governmental budgeting, public administration, and at least five (5) years’ experience in the supervision of budgetary, public administration, or municipal finance work, or any combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proficiency in using standard office equipment such as copiers, scanners, and fax machines.
• Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of modern municipal budget preparation and public administration.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization and operations of municipal departments and agencies.
• Considerable knowledge of municipal accounting/auditing principles and data processing practices related to financial accounting and reporting.
• Knowledge of State and local laws as they pertain to municipalities.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate budgetary and management problems and recommend solutions leading to improved service delivery.
• Ability to organize and present oral and written reports of budgetary and management studies and recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, staff associates,
• City officials, various boards and commissions, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and follow instructions.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a "General Fund" non-tested position. It is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.