Business Manager - DPW Central Admin

brooklinema; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookline DPW’s Central Administration is seeking a detail-driven Business Manager to oversee central business operations, including customer service, accounts payable/receivable, and contract administration. The role also handles budgeting, utility accounts, and supervision of administrative staff in a fast-moving municipal environment.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in business/accounting/public administration and at least five years in municipal financial administration with supervisory

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, public administration, or a related field and five years of progressively responsible municipal or business financial administration, including supervisory experience.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Safety certification preferred at hire; required within six months.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage central business operations including customer service office, accounts payable/receivable, and contract administration.
• Prepare purchase requisitions, POs, payment vouchers, and vendor payments; maintain financial tracking systems and reports.
• Administer departmental contracts; coordinate with internal staff and vendors.
• Oversee utility accounts, monitor bills, forecast budgets, and analyze usage and costs for reporting.
• Coordinate police details and related billing, tracking, scheduling, reports, reconciliation, and payments.
• Prepare and analyze budget and financial reports; support annual budget development and special projects; monitor expenditures and variances.
• Support DPW permitting functions including street openings and occupancy permits; track payments and maintain records.
• Supervise, schedule, and cross-train administrative staff; hire, assign work, and maintain a positive work environment.
• Manage onboarding/offboarding, position control, rosters, access, directories, and personnel documentation.
• Oversee and improve business systems and customer service platforms; ensure effective communication from the department.
• Research rates/fees for comparable services and provide analysis and recommendations for departmental programs and services.
• Create annual budget reports.
• Coordinate payroll processing, incident reports, and general office operations.
• Support workflow improvements, department communications, technology systems, language access, and ADA compliance.
• Assist with claims related to public construction activity and support emergency operations as needed.

Skills

Municipal purchasing

Payroll

Billing

Financial tracking

Customer service

Accounting software

Spreadsheets

Databases

Staff leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/accounting/public administration

Tools

Accounting software

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Business Manager

Brookline DPW - Central Administration - Hourly Rate: $39.16 | 37.5 hours weekly

Brookline DPW's Central Admin office is seeking a detail-driven and service-oriented Business Manager to oversee the central business operations of the Department of Public Works. This hands-on administrative and supervisory role is responsible for customer service office management, financial processing, utility account administration, contract administration, budget preparation and forecasting, permitting support, and the supervision and cross-training of administrative staff. If you excel at accuracy, efficiency, and teamwork in a fast-moving municipal environment, we invite you to apply to join this dedicated and professional team.

About Us:

DPW Central Administration supports all Public Works divisions and serves as the hub for business operations, fiscal stewardship, and high-quality customer service for Brookline residents, contractors, and partner departments. We value professionalism, responsiveness, and continuous improvement in everything we do.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage DPW’s central business operations, including the customer service office, accounts payable and receivable, and contract administration.
• Prepare purchase requisitions, purchase orders, payment vouchers, and vendor payments; maintain financial tracking systems, account balances, and reports.
• Administer departmental contracts, including preparation, routing, approval tracking, and record maintenance; coordinate with internal staff and vendors.
• Oversee utility accounts by monitoring bills, consumption trends, and funding allocations; reconcile activity, prepare annual forecast and budget, and analyze usage and cost trends for reporting.
• Coordinate police details and related billing, tracking, scheduling, reports, reconciliation, and payments.
• Prepare, run, and analyze budget and financial reports; support annual budget development and special projects; monitor expenditures and identify variances.
• Support DPW permitting functions, including street opening and occupancy permits; track payments, maintain records, and follow up on outstanding balances.
• Supervise, schedule, and cross-train assigned administrative staff (typically 2–5 employees); hire, assign work, and maintain a positive and accountable work environment.
• Manage onboarding and offboarding, position control, rosters, building and system access, contact directories, and personnel documentation.
• Oversee and improve business systems, customer service platforms, and effective communication from the Department.
• Research rates, fees, structures for comparable services and provide analysis and recommendations for associated departmental programs and services.
• Create annual budget reports.
• Coordinate payroll processing, incident reports, and general office operations.
• Support workflow improvements, department communications, technology systems, language access, and ADA compliance.
• Assist with claims related to public construction activity and support emergency operations when needed, including possible evening or weekend availability.
• 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, or office management, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Certifications & Skills:

• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Safety certification preferred at hire; required within six months.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of municipal purchasing, payroll, billing, financial tracking, and customer service principles, paired with the ability to operate accounting and billing systems, spreadsheets, databases, and specialized software. This individual excels in communication, demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and exceptional attention to detail, and brings proven experience leading staff, coordinating onboarding and offboarding processes, and maintaining accurate and reliable records.

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