Chief Financial Officer City of Boulder Municipal Government - Colorado City & County Management Association

City of Boulder, CO – Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the financial steward and strategic leader responsible for all finance functions within the City and serves as a key leader and financial advisor to the City Manager, departmental leaders, and the organization. Reporting to the City Manager or designee, the CFO provides an organization-wide focus on the operations and transactional aspects of Boulder’s fiscal policy, fiscal services, and risk management.

The CFO is responsible for directing and managing the finance department, encompassing annual financial reporting, accounting, accounts payable and receivable, treasury, investments, debt issuance and management, budgeting, payroll, tax collection and auditing, regulatory licensing, purchasing, internal audit, risk management, and other essential services. Reporting to the CFO are the Deputy Finance Director, Budget Officer, Senior Risk Manager, Payroll Manager, and Executive Assistant.

This role involves providing and presenting financial information in a clear and transparent manner to the City organization, City Council, and the community while also ensuring comprehensive oversight and fiscal stewardship for all City funds. Building strong relationships with department staff and other directors is essential to coordinate the development and implementation of robust financial processes, procedures, and internal controls.

In partnership with the Budget Officer and the central budget team, the CFO supports other departments in developing financial analyses and works closely with the Controller to review and implement accounting pronouncements and address emerging issues. The CFO ensures effective financial systems, operations, and robust compliance, control, and risk management policies. Additionally, they provide necessary reports and summaries for historical financial information as requested under the Colorado Open Records Act and ensure compliance with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

The Priorities

• Champion the City’s Strategic Plan and ensure continued integration of our Budgeting for Resilience and Equity. Promote enhanced data-driven decision-making to understand the impact of our funding choices and the allocation of resources in support of community and citywide goals.
• Continue to develop and implement Boulder’s long-term financial strategy, which includes a holistic and comprehensive strategy to support core service levels and community needs. Focus on increased funding flexibility to meet emerging and changing needs and increased reliability through establishing guiding principles, revenue identification, and community prioritization.
• Oversee the continued implementation of Workday Financials and ensure alignment with the long-term financial strategy guiding principles of Fiscal Sustainability and Sufficiency, Equity, and Resiliency.
• Monitor and assess the financial impacts of future legislation. Support transparency and effectively communicate legislative impacts to the City Council and City leadership to aid decision-making.
• Provide financial guidance and support implementation efforts of ongoing projects, including asset management, centralization, CIP projects, and real estate strategy initiatives.
• Implement best practices for the finance and risk management processes and procedures. Analyze and determine the City-wide impact of policies currently being used or being considered for implementation.
• Serve as an ambassador and active champion for our ongoing racial equity work. Through your leadership, promote respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key organizational value and crucial component of the decision-making process.

The Successful Candidate

The Chief Financial Officer is excited by the opportunity to provide strategic financial leadership across the City organization, acting as a trusted partner in shaping and executing the City’s financial strategy in collaboration with the City Manager and City leadership. With a forward-looking approach to financial management and local government, the CFO is committed to ensuring long-term financial sustainability and resilience.

Recognized as a trusted partner to City departments and the City Council on financial matters, the successful candidate actively builds relationships across the organization to understand and address its financial needs, supporting strategic and innovative solutions. Grounded in financial best practices, the CFO leverages a diverse background to bring added value and fresh perspectives while remaining adaptable to the City’s evolving needs. Comfortable with ambiguity, the CFO demonstrates a flexible approach to leadership and change management.

With a high level of emotional intelligence and political acumen, the CFO is a collaborative partner to the City Manager, offering insightful advice and guidance to foster organizational alignment. A strong ability to convey a compelling vision and core purpose is essential, enabling the CFO to look beyond immediate concerns and focus on future possibilities. With the ability to talk beyond today and focus on possibility, the CFO recognizes the importance of financial planning, including the creation of performance measures, and effectively utilizes financial modeling and forecasting to prepare the City for a sustainable future. Equipped with solid business acumen, the ideal candidate understands the complexities of government operations and confidently makes decisions that benefit both the organization and the community.

The CFO is focused on providing excellent customer service and values cross-departmental collaboration in order to provide a high level of service to the organization and community and is skilled in navigating a hybrid financial model of centralized and decentralized functions. Seen as a direct and truthful individual, the successful candidate is an effective communicator who believes in transparent communication and can clearly and effectively articulate the financial position and needs of the City to the City Council, City leadership, staff, and the broader community.

Considered a genuine and authentic leader, the CFO is approachable and actively nurtures an open and welcoming environment. The successful candidate is an active listener, maintains effective working relationships with staff, and works to build a responsive, equitable, and strategically collaborative department. The Director is recognized as a highly effective leader and employs a leadership style that invites participation, builds trust, and empowers staff.

Qualifications

At least eight years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience is required. At least five years in a management role with direct experience building and maintaining a high-functioning team is essential. Government finance experience is highly preferred, including knowledge of the financial impacts of public policies. Knowledge of public finance, including tax policy, tax structures, tax collection, fee setting and structures, and fee collection, is essential, as are public entity purchasing best practices. Knowledge of public sector unions and implications of pay practices, public pensions and funding implications, and grant administration are ideal.

A bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, economics, public administration, or related field is required, with a master’s degree preferred. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation is preferred.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications.

Compensation

The salary range for the Chief Financial Officer is $177,257 – $265,865, with an anticipated hiring range of $177,257 – $248,144, and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The City of Boulder is a progressive organization that values employee engagement and well-being. The City recognizes the importance of providing an encompassing health and life benefits program to employees, including Hybrid Work, Flex Schedules, Telehealth and Wellness Incentives, Infants and Dogs at Work Program, Local bus Eco-Pass, and an Employee Discount Program on goods and services throughout the Boulder Community.

To Be Considered

Respect is one of Boulder’s five City Values, and they are committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. The City celebrates and supports differences across all spectrums including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation. Through the City’s focus on racial equity, employee benefits, and the many program resources offered to employees, Boulder continually strives to weave respect for one another into the fabric of their organization.

Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help them grow in service excellence for an inspired future. Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Open until filled with the first review of applications on December 16, 2024.

Questions

Please direct questions to Heather Gantz at hgantz@raftelis.com or Kelsey Batt at kbatt@raftelis.com

Download Recruitment Brochure