Director of Finance/Chief Financial Officer

Lower Merion Township, PA, United States

This is highly responsible professional and administrative work involving the direction of a broad range of municipal finance functions to help maintain the Township’s fiscal stability.

Work involves directing and administering, the Township’s municipal funds, budgeting and financial reporting, financial forecasting and long-range planning, accounting systems and internal controls, systems development, debt management, external and internal auditing, grants management, payroll, revenue collection, pension administration, cash management, centralized purchasing and contracting.  This position also has the responsibility for making difficult financial management technical decisions.  The work requires that the employee have thorough knowledge, skill and ability in every phase of municipal financial management and good knowledge of the administration of all municipal operations.

Works under the general direction of the Township Manager.Directs the operations of the Finance Department through subordinate staff and evaluates and administers financial management programs such as accounting and financial reporting, budgeting, debt administration and compliance, cash management, internal and external auditing, centralized purchasing, payroll, sewer and solid waste billing, local services tax, mercantile and business privilege taxation, and accounts payable and receivable.

Drafts and recommends finance related policy to the Township Manager and develops plans for the implementation of financial goals and objectives.

Monitors the Township's financial position, analyzes financial markets and supervises the investment of Township funds in appropriate instruments.

Coordinates the year-end financial audit for the Township; prepares various financial schedules for use in supporting documentation for the external auditors.

Prepares financial models including the Township’s multi-year financial forecasts.

Administers the development of the Township's $77 million General Fund budget, $43 million Capital Fund budget and $62 million budget of other governmental and enterprise funds.

Manages the Township’s $90 million debt portfolio including regular debt issuance.

Directs the operations of a $17 million business tax collection program.

Coordinates with the Township Treasurer for the collection of real estate taxes, sewer and solid waste fees.

Oversees purchasing, or contracting to purchase, all Township supplies, materials, services and equipment.

Oversees and controls the encumbrances and expenditure of Township and department fund allocations within the constraints of approved budgets.

Coordinates the preparation of payroll with the Human Resources Department and administers payroll of up to 700 employees bi-weekly.

Administers the Municipal Police Pension Fund and Township Employees Pension Plan and serves as the secretary of the Board of Pension Trustees.

Participates in contract negotiations as a member of a negotiating team with two unions.

Coordinates with the Information Technology and Human Resources Department for the Township’s financial and human resources systems.

Leads the Finance team of 10 full-time employees and allocates specific roles and responsibilities; manages team needs and requirements, mentors team, and infuses a teamwork ethic.

Coordinates with vendors and suppliers, partners, and other agencies to purchase assets and ensure the efficient running operation of the financial infrastructure.

Keeps informed about the latest financial sector developments and industry best practices through reading and by attending finance conferences and seminars.

Acts as a good steward of the Township’s resources and ensures control of the departmental budget.

Participates in personnel actions such as hiring, discipline, and performance evaluation for the Finance Department.  Directs the training of department personnel in financial management principles and practices.

Publicly presents information and attends evening Board of Commissioner and Board committee meetings regularly.

Performs related work as required.A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university in finance, economics, public or business administration or a related field and training in governmental accounting, plus a minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible financial governmental management experience in a supervisory capacity.  A master's degree in public administration or a related field is desirable.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods of municipal accounting, budgeting, auditing, financial forecasting, revenue collection, debt management, and procurement.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration as applied to a wide range of municipal functions.

Considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations and standards pertaining to financial management, preferably in Pennsylvania.

Good knowledge of municipal financial systems, procedures and accounting.

Considerable ability to utilize Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, Access, Power Point and Outlook for report writing, spreadsheet manipulation, database and communication.

Thorough ability to administer the activities of a municipal Finance Department and to supervise the work of others.

Thorough ability to develop short- and long-term development and operational plans and programs and make difficult decisions within deadlines in an environment of professional standards, limited resources and competing claims.

Thorough ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, associates, auditors, financial institutions, officials of other agencies, elected officials and the general public.

Possess sound negotiation skills to leverage organizational purchasing power.

Ability to think and act strategically and proactively.

Excellent verbal, written, analytical, communication and presentation skills.

Ability to analyze, prioritize, organize and problem solve at both a strategic and functional level.

Demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others.

Valid automotive driver’s license.Ability to sit for up to 8 hours a day and to move about the department and Township building.

Ability to utilize computer equipment including keyboard, calculator and/or adding machine.

Ability to use both hands for firm grasping, repetitive actions and fine manipulation including typing and writing.

Ability to lift and carry between 10 and 25 pounds of materials up to 20% of the workday involved in routine office procedures.

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