Business Manager - DPW

brooklinema; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookline DPW is seeking a detail-driven Business Manager to oversee business operations and provide high-level administrative support across multiple divisions in Brookline, MA. The role blends financial processing, contract and program administration, permitting coordination, workflow management, and staff oversight.

The position is full-time year-round with comprehensive municipal benefits, including health insurance, pension plans, paid vacation, and opportunities for advancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, public administration or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible municipal or business financial administration experience.
• Experience with scheduling, record maintenance, and workflow organization; supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage business operations for DPW divisions, including customer service, A/P/A/R, invoicing, and financial recordkeeping.
• Prepare purchase orders, vouchers, vendor payments, and related financial documents; maintain tracking systems.
• Oversee accounts for utilities, sanitation, permitting, and program billing; manage setups and adjustments.
• Support budget development, forecasting, and financial analysis; run regular reports.
• Assist with DPW permitting functions (street openings, occupancy permits, etc.).
• Coordinate workflows and work orders using DPW systems to align office and field operations.
• Manage inventory-related functions and support special programs; oversee onboarding/offboarding and payroll support.

Skills

Financial management

Administrative supervision

Customer service coordination

Budgeting & forecasting

Payroll support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, public administration

Tools

PeopleGIS

SnowOps

BrookOnline

Job description

Brookline DPW seeks a detail-driven and service-oriented Business Manager to oversee business operations and deliver high-level administrative support across multiple divisions. We currently have openings in our Central Admin division and in Highway and Fleet Services.

This role blends business management responsibilities with advanced administrative assistant, office administration, and customer service functions, including financial processing, contract and program administration, permitting coordination, workflow management, and staff oversight. The Business Manager ensures accurate financial tracking, efficient office operations, and responsive service delivery across essential municipal functions.

Key Responsibilities

As the Business Manager, you will:

• Manage business operations for assigned DPW divisions, including customer service, accounts payable/receivable, invoicing, billing, reconciliations, refunds, purchasing documentation, and financial recordkeeping.
• Prepare purchase requisitions, purchase orders, vouchers, vendor payments, and related financial documentation; maintain accurate tracking systems, account balances, and reports.
• Administer departmental or program-specific accounts, including utility accounts, sanitation accounts, permitting activity, and other program billing; oversee new account setup, service changes, adjustments, outstanding balances, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Support budget development, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and financial analysis; prepare and run recurring budget, usage, and consumption reports.
• Assist with DPW permitting functions (e.g., street openings, occupancy permits, waste hauler permits, leaf blower permits, sanitation-related permits), ensuring proper processing, tracking, documentation, and follow-up.
• Coordinate administrative workflows and work orders using DPW systems such as PeopleGIS, SnowOps, BrookOnline, and related platforms to align office and field operations.
• Manage inventory-related functions (e.g., cart distribution, replacements, recordkeeping), and support special programs such as decorative streetlight banners or inspection documentation.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding, payroll support, scheduling, time and attendance systems, position control, building and system access, and personnel documentation.
• Supervise, schedule, and cross-train administrative staff; assign work and maintain a collaborative and accountable work environment.
• Maintain and improve business systems, customer service processes, communication platforms, and Division information management.
• Research comparable rates, fees, and service structures to support departmental recommendations.
• Assist with emergency operations and administrative coordination; evening or weekend availability may be required.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For:

We seek a highly organized and collaborative Business Manager with strong financial, administrative, and supervisory skills who is ready to contribute to a busy municipal department.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, public administration, or a related field; five years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or business financial administration, billing, purchasing, office management, and administrative assistant-level office support functions such as scheduling, record maintenance, customer service coordination, and workflow organization, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

The ideal candidate will bring a solid foundation in administrative assistant-type office support - such as scheduling, maintaining detailed records, organizing workflows, and assisting with customer service, and be ready to apply those skills in a broader business operations role. Strong working knowledge of municipal purchasing, payroll, billing, and financial tracking is helpful, along with comfort using accounting systems, spreadsheets, databases, and other administrative software. This individual communicates clearly, exercises good judgment and discretion, and maintains reliable and accurate records. Experience supporting or overseeing administrative staff and coordinating onboarding and offboarding processes is beneficial.

This is a full-time, year-round position offering outstanding municipal benefits including comprehensive health insurance, pension and retirement plans, paid vacation and holidays, professional development, and opportunities for advancement.

Annualized salary: $76,663

The Town of Brookline is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to maintaining a diverse workforce.