Public Works Business Manager

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

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