Budget Officer

City of Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Wilmington is seeking a senior financial leader to guide the city’s budgeting and forecasting processes. You will advise executive leadership, develop long-range financial plans, and produce key budget documents that shape city priorities and ensure responsible use of public funds.

The role emphasizes collaboration with departments, clear communication with Council, and strong analytical storytelling to guide decisions affecting community growth and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Finance, or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible finance/budgeting experience with management level.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the development of the City’s operating budget and capital budgets, reviews department spending requests, and recommends changes in revenue sources.
• Oversees preparation of long-range financial projections, capital plans, and five-year outlooks.
• Prepares and analyzes monthly projections and advises on budget impacts.
• Creates Adopted Budget-in-Brief and Adopted Budget documents.
• Forecasts end-of-year budget figures by analyzing purchases and market trends.
• Advises departments on budget management and future financial problems.
• Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines for the annual operating budget and CAPEX plan.
• Produces budget-related materials for Executives and Council, including presentations and memos.

Skills

Budgeting leadership

Forecasting

Staff coaching

Public speaking

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Finance, or related field

Job description

One City. Big Picture Thinking. Lasting Community Impact.

Help shape the financial future of our community. As a key leader within our Finance team, you’ll do more than manage budgets—you’ll help guide the decisions that drive city priorities, support long-term growth, and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. From developing financial strategies and forecasting future needs to advising executive leadership on complex fiscal decisions, your work will directly influence the future of the City of Wilmington!

Please note: City Council has approved a Living Wage increase, and the salary shown in this posting will take effect beginning July 1

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the development of the City's operating budget and capital budgets, reviews department spending requests, examines revenue estimates, and recommends changes in revenue rates and sources while ensuring compliance with state and local requirements.
• Oversees preparation of long-range financial projections, including overall operating projections, capital improvement plans, capital outlay, and long-term repair/maintenance needs.
• Prepares and analyzes monthly financial projections through analysis of current operating expenditures and the estimation of future expenditures and evaluates the impact on the city budget.
• Responsible for creating annual Adopted Budget-in-Brief and Adopted Budget documents.
• Forecasts end-of-year salary and operating budget amounts by analyzing pending purchases, current market trends, and historical spending.
• Advises departments on matters of budgetary management and control and addresses current forecasts and future financial problems.
• Plans and prepares policies, procedures, guidelines, and instructions to be followed by City staff in the formulation of the annual operating budget and five-year capital improvement plan.
• Creates the overall content and format of budget-related materials and communication products provided to Executives and Council, including work sessions, presentations, memoranda, and other products. Contributes to cross-functional work teams and collaborates to solve problems.
• Identifies gaps and needed system enhancements.
• Supervises staff, prioritizes and assigns work; conducts performance evaluations; ensures staff is trained.
• Performs work with regular and predictable attendance, consistently meeting the scheduling needs as required by the city.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Finance, or related field
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible finance/budgeting experience that includes management level experience
• OR an equivalent combination of training and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the specific position as listed above.

Skills and Abilities:

• Training, coaching and overseeing the development of staff
• Directing the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards
• Overseeing the implementation and adherence to quality assurance and standards
• Exercising strategic and political acumen, tact and diplomacy
• Public speaking

Ability to:

• Focus on collaboration, relationship-building and transparency with internal and external stakeholders, as well as credibility and trust with elected officials.
• Develop data-driven, outcome-based budget allocation strategies paired with strong communication and effective storytelling.
• Demonstrate an aptitude to implement City-wide goals and priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.
• Field Work: May require standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying objects up to 10 pounds occasionally. Employees may encounter uneven terrain, traffic and outdoor weather conditions and must use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• General Requirements: The position involves occasional travel to meetings, events, or weather-related response. Often handles multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and maintains situational awareness All work is performed in compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with frequent use of standard office equipment and computers. The position requires occasional travel to City facilities, construction sites, and public rights-of-way to assess accessibility, monitor compliance, and conduct inspections. The incumbent may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, construction environments, and varying levels of accessibility challenges, and may be required to walk, stand, or navigate uneven surfaces for extended periods.

The position may require evening or weekend work to attend meetings, public hearings, or training sessions, and occasional lifting or carrying of materials. The incumbent must handle sensitive and confidential information related to disability accommodations and accessibility complaints, communicate effectively with employees, management, elected officials, and the public, and may participate in emergency operations and disaster-recovery activities as assigned.