Business Manager - DPW Central Admin

Town of Brookline; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Brookline seeks a detail-driven Business Manager to lead Brookline DPW – Central Administration. You will oversee customer service, accounts payable/receivable, contract administration, budgeting, and payroll-related activities in a municipal setting.

The ideal candidate has a relevant bachelor's degree and at least five years’ municipal financial administration with supervisory experience, plus strong Excel and accounting systems skills. Join a collaborative, professional team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field with five years of municipal financial administration and supervisory experience.
• Experience with purchasing, payroll, billing, and financial tracking in a municipal context.
• Strong communication, judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage central business operations, including customer service and contract administration.
• Prepare requisitions, POs, payment vouchers, and vendor payments with accurate tracking.
• Oversee utility accounts, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Coordinate payroll processing, onboarding, and personnel records.
• Supervise 2–5 administrative staff and support onboarding/offboarding.
• Improve business systems and cross-train staff for coverage.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Supervisory

Customer service

Administrative coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Accounting software

Billing systems

Spreadsheets (Excel)

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.