Finance Director

Housing Authority of The County of Santa Cruz; Capitola (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz seeks a strategic and grounded Finance Director to lead all financial operations, oversee fiscal policy, and ensure the financial integrity of the agency serving thousands of families annually.

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the Finance Director will oversee the Finance Department, lead a team of accounting professionals, and manage a $170 million budget while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Qualifications

• At least five years of increasingly responsible experience in public sector accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
• Minimum of three years in a supervisory or fiscal management role.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or public administration (a master’s degree is preferred).
• Familiarity with HUD programs, Moving to Work, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial operations and oversee fiscal policy.
• Ensure financial integrity for a $170 million budget.
• Manage a team of supervisory and professional accounting staff.
• Serve as trusted advisor to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Board of Commissioners.

Skills

Public sector finance

Accounting

Budgeting

Supervisory experience

Strategic leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz is seeking a strategic and grounded Finance Director to lead all financial operations, oversee fiscal policy, and ensure the financial integrity of an organization serving over 5,000 families each year. This position reports to the Deputy Executive Director and oversees all functions of the Finance Department. The Finance Director will lead a team of supervisory and professional accounting staff, supporting the agency’s $170 million budget and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

The ideal candidate is a values-based leader with a strong background in public sector finance and accounting. They are collaborative, analytical, and forward-thinking. Someone who can maintain fiscal controls while supporting long-term agency growth and innovation. Someone who will serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Board of Commissioners, playing a key role in strategic decision-making and organizational leadership.

Education & Experience

Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and abilities may be considered. A typical candidate will have:

• At least five years of increasingly responsible experience in public sector accounting, auditing, or budgeting
• A minimum of three years of experience in a supervisory or fiscal management role
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a related field (a master’s degree is preferred)
• Familiarity with HUD programs, Moving to Work, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits is a plus