Finance Director

Martinez; Martinez (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERS retirement plan

Health/Dental/Vision benefits

Training/Education reimbursement

Job summary

The City of Martinez seeks a proactive Finance Director to lead the Finance Department, reporting to the City Manager. The role oversees budgeting, auditing, payroll, licensing, investments, purchasing, and revenue collection to sustain the City’s financial health.

This hands-on public-facing leadership position requires strategic vision and strong ethics. Responsibilities include managing the FY 2026-27 General Fund, supervising critical financial operations, and advising City leadership on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, finance, or accounting or related field.
• Five years of professional financial management experience, with supervisory responsibilities.
• Master’s degree and/or CPA certification preferred.
• Exempt status and public-facing leadership experience desired.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, accounting, auditing and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and administration of operating and capital budgets for the City.
• Supervise accounts payable/receivable, payroll, utility billing, and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and maintain transparency with stakeholders.
• Advise City Council and subcommittees on financial planning and priorities.
• Publish annual financial reports and drive process improvements.
• Oversee audits and manage investment portfolio and procurement activities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public financial management

Budgeting

Team leadership

Communication

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field

Master's degree (desired)

CPA certificate (desired)

Tools

Tyler MUNIS ERP

Job description

The City of Martinez is pleased to announce the recruitment for Finance Director. Link to our recruitment booklet here. The City of Martinez is seeking a proactive professional to lead the Finance Department. The Finance Director is a key member of the executive team, reporting directly to the City Manager, and is responsible for managing the City’s financial health through budgeting, auditing, business licensing, payroll, investments, purchasing, and revenue collection. This hands-on, public-facing leadership position is critical to the fiscal well-being of the City.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development, preparation, and administration of the City’s Operating and Capital Budgets, including management of the FY 2026-27 General Fund totaling $43,737,434
• Supervising daily operations: Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Utility Billing, Business Licenses, Payroll, General Ledger, Cash Management, Investments, Budgets, and Financial Reporting
• Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and maintaining transparency
• Advising City Council, Budget and Finance Subcommittee, and departments on financial planning, economic trends, and budget priorities
• Publishing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) to GFOA standards
• Driving innovation and process improvements within the Finance Department
• Representing the City in meetings, addressing resident inquiries, and ensuring transparency in financial matters
• Supporting employee retention, reviewing growth plans and classification structures, streamlining systems, implementing automation, and updating policies and procedures to boost organizational effectiveness
• Collaborating on special projects with the City Manager to provide strong financial stewardship for the City

Candidate’s Key Attributes

The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Ability to lead initiatives beyond daily operations, advocate, articulate, and implement the council and community’s vision; blend innovation and creativity; think outside the box
• Expertise in Municipal Finance: Extensive knowledge of municipal operations, accounting, and budget preparation; must be technologically astute and experienced with Tyler MUNIS ERP with understanding of budget/structural deficits
• High Ethical Standards & Independence: Works independently with demonstrated commitment to accountability, integrity, and public trust
• Team Leadership: Passion for mentoring and leading a small, engaged team; cultivates collaborative relationships and motivates others to excel; fosters interdepartmental cooperation, coordination, and productivity
• Collaboration & Communication: Approachable, transparent, and proactive communicator; excels in building consensus and fostering teamwork across departments and agencies with successful outcomes; effective oral and written communication skills to convey complex financial information to diverse audiences
• Customer Service Orientation: Friendly, diplomatic, and responsive to residents’ concerns; ensures quality service to City departments and the community
• Problem-Solving & Innovation: Anticipates challenges and proposes creative solutions to unite people, drive efficiency, and promote fiscal responsibility, and achieve long-term sustainability
• Community Engagement: Enthusiastic about engaging with an informed and engaged community, including City Council members, commissioners, and the public; represents the City with professionalism and transparency
• Visionary & Motivational: Recognizes the value of teamwork and inspires others to excel collectively, contributing to the overall success of the Finance Department and the organization as a whole

Department Overview

The Finance Department is at the forefront of driving innovation and positive change in the City. Led by the Finance Director, team members are responsible for the meticulous development and preparation of the City’s annual Operating and Capital Budget, shaping the financial trajectory of the City. The Department consists of a small but engaged team of accounting professionals.

Challenges and Opportunities

The Next Finance Director Will Encounter a Dynamic Environment With Some Exciting Professional Challenges And Rewarding Opportunities Which Will Leave a Lasting Impact On The Entire Organization

• Managing a comprehensive range of finance functions, requiring strong leadership to build a cohesive team culture and maintain high standards of service across the City organization
• Shaping the City’s financial future by fostering innovation and guiding and developing a talented team
• Delivering robust financial forecasting and long-term analysis to ensure fiscal responsibility as the City balances investments in growth and infrastructure
• Navigating complex financial issues—including fee studies, impact fees, and financial metrics—with analytical rigor and strategic insight
• Overseeing the conversion of the payroll system to bi-weekly processing and optimizing MUNIS ERP systems, requiring effective change management and technical expertise
• Influencing key policy decisions through expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning
• Achieving professional growth by tackling complex projects and implementing transformative operational improvements

Representative Duties

• Directs the Finance Department activities such as budget preparation, investment management, business license administration, payroll, accounts payable, and utility billing
• Provides professional analysis and advice to the City Council, City Manager, City departments, City committees and commissions regarding finance activities
• Develops short and long range fiscal plans, with alternatives, to enable the City to determine financial policy for achieving objectives within available financial resources
• Coordinates the preparation, implementation and control of the City's operating and capital improvement budgets and mid-year reports/adjustments
• Reviews and analyzes departmental/city expenditures and revenues to evaluate impact upon City operations and programs
• Reviews and evaluates service delivery methods and systems including administrative and support systems and the financial operating system; identifies opportunities for improvement and implements changes to standard operating procedures to enhance services
• Determines and justifies departmental goals and related personnel and financial resource needs; is held accountable for the accomplishment of departmental goals; and ensures coordination of department's activities with City goals
• Serves as the appointing authority for subordinate staff; sets work priorities; evaluates work performance; takes official disciplinary actions as necessary; and identifies and/or resolves subordinates' concerns
• Oversees internal audits of municipal funds and facilitates the City's audits by its independent auditor and by state and federal agencies, as appropriate
• Oversees and manages the City's investment portfolio in conjunction with the City Treasurer
• Prepares a variety of reports, such as State Controller's reports and other reports required by law
• Reconciles bond and grant financing, including preparing required reports, as needed and in a timely manner
• Is responsible for the preparation and administration of the departmental budget
• Participates in committee, staff, City Council, and other public agency meetings and conferences
• Makes presentations to groups such as the City Council, boards and commissions, citizen groups, and other public agencies
• Serves as staff to the Budget and Finance Council Subcommittee
• As a member of the City's executive management team, assists the City Manager in the overall administrative and policy planning process of the City
• Initiates or conducts special studies, as assigned, and prepares reports with recommendations for appropriate action
• Stays current on issues relative to the field of municipal finance administration and relative service delivery responsibilities

Supervision Received And Exercised

Administrative direction is provided by the City Manager or his/her designee. Responsibilities include direct supervision of professional, technical, and clerical staff.

FLSA DESIGNATION

Exempt

Qualifications/Education/Experience

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods and practices of governmental budgeting, accounting, auditing and forecasting
• Approved principles and standards of centralized, computer-based accounting, auditing, investment management, and revenue and business license administration
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, code, and regulations affecting municipal finance administration
• Strategic planning techniques and models
• Research methodology, including statistical and financial analysis
• Principles and practices of effective leadership, mentoring, employee development and supervision, conflict resolution, negotiating, and customer service
• Effective written and verbal communication etiquette, including public speaking techniques

Ability To

• Plan, organize, and direct work of the Finance Department
• Train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff
• Work effectively as part of the management team
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Use financial software applications, including spreadsheets to prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports
• Interpret and explain accounting policies and procedures
• Analyze and interpret financial investment and accounting records
• Conduct, analyze, and make recommendations on a variety of administrative activities
• Deal effectively with City staff and representatives of various public and private agencies
• Understand, interpret, and apply complex guidelines
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Resolve complaints and problems

Education/Experience

Requires any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Minimum: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting or other related field. and Five (5) years of full time increasingly responsible professional experience in financial management, including three (3) years of supervisory experience. Experience in a public agency is preferred.

Desired: A Master's degree and/or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate.

Other Requirements

Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical examination, and background investigation.

Current Benefits - Miscellaneous Members

• Retirement: California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and Social Security.
• Classic Members – Retirement formula of 2% at age 60 with a 3 year final compensation period. Classic Members contribute 7% toward retirement.
• New Members – Under the new pension reform law, Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), effective 1/1/13 those defined as New Members of PERS are eligible for the 2% at age 62 retirement formula with a 3 year final compensation period. New Members are required to contribute towards pension. Effective 07/01/2023, the contribution rate is 7.75%.
• Deferred Comp: City contribution of 1.6% gross monthly earnings into a 457 deferred compensation retirement plan (ICMA).
• Vacation: Fifteen days vacation for the first four years of service. Maximum 25 days annually after 20 years of service.
• Holidays: Fourteen and one-half days per year and seven days of floating holiday time.
• Sick Leave: Accrued indefinitely at the rate of eight (8) hours per month. PERS service credit for unused sick upon service retirement.
• Longevity Pay: 2% at fifteen (15) years of service.
• Bilingual Pay: $100 per month for one or more languages.
• Health Insurance: The City contracts with the Public Employees' Retirement System for health benefits for this group. Effective 1/1/26, the City contributes $1,051.98 for employee, $2,103.96 for employee +1, and $2,735.14 for family coverage with the employee contributing a portion of the monthly premium. MCP available online at www.cityofmartinez.org.
• Dental Insurance: The City pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for the employee and dependents. Dental plan includes orthodontic coverage.
• Vision Insurance: The City pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for the employee and dependents.
• Life/Disability: The City pays the premium for life up to $200,000 and disability insurance for the employee only. Voluntary, supplemental plan available for additional life insurance.
• Health Club Reimbursement: The City pays up to $50 a month for health club membership.
• Training/Education Reimbursement: The City pays up to $1000 per fiscal year. See MCP for details.