Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer - City of Westminster, CO

The Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a City leader who serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team translating City Council?s strategic plan into action through development of policies, leadership innovation, and resource allocation and management. The position directs department activities in fulfillment of the City?s Mission Statement, Vision and Values.

The Finance Director/CFO works collaboratively with other City Directors, the Deputy City Managers, and the Assistant City Manager in supporting the City Manager in leading and managing the City. This leadership position is responsible for making executive-level decisions in alignment with the direction of the organization as defined by City Council and the City Manager as well as establishing major departmental policies, planning long-term programs. Primary duties involve overseeing all administrative and professional work in planning, organizing and directing the Finance Department which consists of the Accounting, Sales Tax, Procurement, and Finance Administration which comprises Treasury, Contracts and Grants, and Special Districts operations. Work involves responsibility for managing and administering citywide finance programs, including overall planning, coordinating and supervising of these divisions, which provide enhancement for the quality of life in Westminster.

The Finance Director/CFO also serves as a citywide champion of innovation, creating and driving short-term and long-term vision for innovation, and driving initiatives in support of citywide financial sustainability, environmental, service, and efficiency goals. Responsibilities include supporting financial transparency, determining major departmental policies; planning long-term programs and communication efforts; and making difficult technical and administrative decisions. Work includes assuring accomplishment of the objectives of the Finance Department through the direct and indirect supervision of all personnel assigned to the department. Work will require attending some evening meetings and occasional weekend meetings/events. The Finance Director/CFO performs work with wide latitude for independent judgment and action, and the Deputy City Manager reviews work through conferences, reports, and success of the Finance Department's programs and activities.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must attach a cover letter and resume (maximum of two pages for each document) to the online application at the time of submittal. The full salary range for this position is provided. The starting range of pay is dependent on the qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee?s level of proficiency and usage.

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service ? People ? Integrity ? Respect ? Innovation ? Teamwork).

City leaders must embody the values of the City organization as defined by SPIRIT in decision-making and actions and strive to develop employees and a work environment that reflects these organizational values. Developing strong relationships with collaboration as a strong mindset, and employee engagement with respect and appreciation as a focus. City values are articulated through the acronym of SPIRIT which defines "how" we work at the City of Westminster.

This position promotes the mission and values of the City of Westminster by supporting the Finance Department goals of providing quality financial services and expertise necessary to support a financially sustainable City Government.

This leadership position plays a vital role on the city-wide management team, providing critical input, as it relates, to the city strategic plan. All management team members are expected to champion the City Mission, Vision and Values.

Every Department Director is accountable to:

Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority

Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback

Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission, vision and values

Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner

Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior

Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner

Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility and take calculated risks when appropriate

Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization

Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered

Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives

Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

Value diversity through strategic recruitment and promotions
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Executive-level managers, including all Department Directors, -serve at the will of the City Manager, and are accountable to:

Embrace public service to the community and demonstrate a global perspective in decisions

Communicate and collaborate with City Manager?s Office, Executive Leadership Team, and City Management Team members to develop innovative solutions that support and promote a high-performing organization

Effectively participate on the Executive Leadership Team by demonstrating strategic and systemic problem-solving skills; collaboration and cooperation are expectations required of City leadership

Support the City Council?s goals and Strategic Plan while working with the City Manager to explain City leadership?s viewpoint

Support and promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusivity (JDE&I) goals

Represent the City and Department in a professional manner and positive light

Develop policies, procedures, and best practices that demonstrate exceptional customer service and prudent stewardship of City resources and revenues

Respond to contentious issues in a timely manner that reflects and supports City management philosophy and decisions

Understand and demonstrate political acumen

Model and encourage employees to demonstrate ownership in support of the City by fostering a collegial and supportive work environment

Provide a picture of the City?s vision to departmental employees

Champion City initiatives within the department

Help employees understand their part in meeting City-wide strategic goals

Encourage department employees to participate in partnerships and collaborative efforts throughout the organization

Coach and mentor key management employees within the department

Have a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of all elements of the Department?s budget

Develop a department management team that supports the goals and objectives of the organization

Demonstrate ability to support the organizational culture with a deep understanding of the importance of the individual employee and team contributionLeadership/Supervisory -? The employee in this position is accountable to:

Act swiftly to encourage behavior throughout the department is aligned with SPIRIT values

Empower employees by:

conducting day-to-day business in an inclusive and participatory mannerensuring respectful, fair, consistent, and equal treatment of all employees, citizens, and business associatessupporting high Emotional Intelligence and JDE&I effortssupporting teams and a professional, collegial organizational culture
• Foster a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive
• Foster an environment of community and employee engagement
• Presents City's policies to Department personnel in a positive manner
• Encourage employees to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do
• Demonstrate leadership and courage by making or supporting decisions that reflect the organizational mission and goals even when the decision may be unpopular to some
• Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees
• Help employees see the value of developing their skills, and assist them in eliminating barriers to their development; encourage employees to step outside of their comfort zone to develop their skills
• Provide meaningful, timely employee feedback and appraisals, and effectively address employee performance problems
• Effectively supervise, mentor, and motivate in a team environment
• Develop relationships with colleagues which encourage constructive feedback and new ways to look at projects, policies, service delivery, etc.
• Demonstrates authenticity, strong communication, integrity, compassion, empowerment, continuous improvement, and putting others firstCitywide ? The employee in this position is accountable to:
• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Model communication, collaboration and team approaches for the department and organization
• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
• Be effective in providing constructive feedback and even a challenging different viewpoint
• Develop a clear plan to set priorities which support City mission, vision and strategic planJob Specific -? The employee in this position is accountable to the following Job Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
• Demonstrate creativity and passion for innovation; develop and facilitate internal innovative solutions to achieve strategic organizational goals
• Partner with the City Manager?s Office, Executive Leadership Team in achieving sustainability goals through new innovative solutions
• Direct and manage all activities and operations of Finance, including general accounting, financial reporting, capital financing, debt service, internal audits, financial planning, cash management, investments, payroll, sales and use tax auditing
• Assist the City Council and City Manager in the development of administrative activities, departmental budgeting financial analysis, and strategies, investments strategy, receipt of interest on City investments, and payment of interest and principal on City indebtedness
• Maintains effective and accurate records, controls, balances and budget appropriations; establishes financial records and data in an acceptable manner to have information available for analysis, audit and review by various interests conducting business with Westminster
• Conduct presentations before a wide variety of audiences including public hearings, City Council, pension boards, employee work groups, and those having a financial interest or service requirement for the City
• Protect the financial interests and integrity of the City; represents the City Manager and Council with regard to the status of municipal finances; and performs those duties/tasks as are required by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager
• Partner with the Information Technology Director to learn and understand how emerging technologies may play a role in supporting the organization?s innovations vision; partner and implement innovative technological solutions as appropriate
• Develop and foster relationships with leaders from other state, city and county agencies to identify opportunities to support innovation goals through collaborative efforts
• Provide effective oversight and leadership, and to plan, assign, and efficiently direct the work of a number of subordinates, divisions and programs in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale
• Express oneself professionally, clearly and concisely, orally and in writing on both administrative and technical subjects
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Council, civic groups, the public, and all City employees
• Make presentations in the community
• Communicate in an effective and professional manner with the City Council
• Foster cooperative working relationships among staff members and emphasize positive customer relations approaches with citizens, vendors/suppliers, and those conducting business with the City of Westminster
• Coach and hold employees accountable to conduct their work and activities in a manner that embraces the City?s SPIRIT values
• Empower employees by:
  conducting day-to-day business in an inclusive and participatory mannerensuring respectful, fair, consistent, and equal treatment of all employees, citizens, and business associatesencouraging open, two-way communication among all employeesEssential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks
  1. - Organizational Leadership, Planning and Management Duties:
  • Directs Finance Department personnel and operations in such a manner as to meet the Department?s and City?s Strategic Plans and goals established by City Council
  • Represents the City and Finance Department in a professional manner and positive light
  • Collaborates with City Manager?s Office, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Finance Department management team members to develop innovative solutions that support and promote a high performing organization
  • Attends City Council meetings as needed to address issues related to the Finance Department
  • Partners with City Manager?s Office, and other departments and divisions to advocate and promote fulfillment of City?s mission statement, vision and values
  • Embodies City?s SPIRIT values in all interactions and discussions with citizens, employees, vendors, and intra-departmentally
  • Develops policies, procedures, and best practices that demonstrate exceptional customer service, innovation, and prudent stewardship of City revenue
  • Participates on the Pension Board
  • Makes presentations before public officials, boards and groups
  • Demonstrates political acumen
  • Develops policies, procedures, and best practices that demonstrate exceptional customer service and prudent stewardship of City resources and revenue
  • Deals with contentious issues in a timely manner that reflects and supports City management philosophy and decisions
  • Ensures procedures for handling citizen complaints are carried out quickly and efficiently
  • Evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range strategies, planning, programming, and regulatory actions
  • Successfully applies the principles and practices of public administration, financial and personnel management
  • Clearly interpret all applicable laws, ordinances and codes2. - Staff Management and Development Duties:
  • Supervises Finance Department Staff
  • Provides Finance Department personnel with appropriate training, direction and technical assistance to ensure effective and efficient operations
  • Develops standards of performance for personnel to improve the Finance Department?s overall effectiveness and efficiency
  • Demonstrates a long-term perspective through coaching and development of employees to meet the strategic functional goals and objectives to support the Finance Department?s mission in meeting the City?s Strategic Plan priorities and goals
  • Supervises Finance Department team leadership and takes necessary actions to ensure proper coaching, guidance and mentoring throughout the department
  • Participates on the Finance management team that supports the goals and objectives of on-going learning and employee development
  • Provides for career development opportunities and personal growth, including technical and leadership development opportunities
  • Recommends necessary personnel action in compliance with the City's Personnel Policies and Rules, including promotions, transfers, corrective measures, disciplinary action and discharge
  • Models and encourages employees to demonstrate ownership and support of the City by fostering a collegial and supportive work environment
  • Demonstrates authenticity, strong communication, integrity, compassion, empowerment, continuous improvement, and putting others first
  • Promotes collaborative, systems thinking
  • Demonstrates a long-term perspective through coaching and development of employees to prepare the next generation of leadership
  • Supervises personnel and takes necessary actions to ensure proper personnel administration throughout the department
  • Directs allocation of employee resources and equipment for maximum effectiveness
  • Provides for a comprehensive program of employee training and department training
  • Focuses on organizational development with the continued emphasis on the development of a ?healthy?, engaged employee community
  • Keeps informed as to personnel, property, and operations by observation, reports and management input and acts on such information in order to improve operations
  • Supports and encourages on-going employee development through City-wide training, on-going education, and job-specific training
  • Writes and conducts performance appraisals3. - Administrative and Operational Management Duties:
  • Plans, administers, formulates, and directs overall Finance Department operations
  • Provides day-to-day managerial decisions on problems and issues that arise, ensures cost effective operations, and promotes inter-departmental cooperation on common projects and functions within the divisions of the Finance Department
  • Works as a member of the Citywide Leadership Team to ensure citywide and Finance departmental goals, concerns, policies and priorities are met
  • Prepares City Council documents and attends City Council meetings to address issues related to the Finance Department
  • Directs and manages all activities and operations of Finance, including general accounting, financial reporting, capital financing, debt service, internal audits, financial planning, cash management, investments, City retirement program oversite, payroll, sales and use tax auditing
  • Creates and establishes accounting for all monies received and paid out by the City
  • Prepares reports and work programs
  • Serves as Hearing Officer for tax matters and responsibilities assigned by the City Code; serves as Trustee of two City Employee Pension Plans and the FPPA Retirement Plans for Police and Fire employees
  • Reviews, analyzes and evaluates operational procedures and makes recommendations for improvement, refining or expanding operations or projects to meet current and long-range needs
  • Directs related administrative activities including the Finance Department budget preparation and execution, purchasing, personnel selection, reports, employee training, and correspondence in administration of projects
  • Directs all divisions? planning activities (both short range and long range); prepares and implements comprehensive plans and planning policies
  • Reviews plans, technical reports, budget estimates, and proposed ordinances and regulations submitted by division heads
  • Purchases and approves purchase of departmental materials, supplies and equipment
  • Conducts feasibility studies, prepares special reports and/or cost benefits studies as requested
  • Focuses on organizational effectiveness principles and practices with the emphasis on support for employees
  • Develops cooperative working relationships with all other departments of the City
  • Serves as a professional ambassador of the department and City by maintaining a professional image, a team-based collaborative approach and a high level of internal and external customer service
  • Keeps informed as to personnel, property, and operations by observation, reports and management input and takes action of such information in order to improve operationsOther Duties and Responsibilities
    Attends regular evening City Council meetings and study sessions as needed; may attend other evening or weekend community meetings. Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities that may be added at the City Manager?s discretion.Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
    Required:
    
  • Bachelor?s Degree from an accredited university or college with major coursework in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, -Business Administration, Management, or a related field
  • Five (5) to seven (7) years of senior management experience in government finance, budget preparation, investment strategy and monitoring, capital financing programs, information technology and general accounting
  • Minimum of six (6) years of senior management and administrative experience in a -public sector or military setting, or six (6) years of experience in an executive-level city management position combined with public sector experience
  • Considerable supervisory experience over a large group of professionals, para-professional, and clerical personnel -
  • Experience serving as a prime spokesperson on business and financial matters, working under tight timelines and potentially stressful conditions, and making significant public presentations is required
  • Must possess a valid driver's license, provide proof of a safe driving record, and maintain a safe driving record for continued employmentPreferred Common amongst successful appointees:
    
  • Master?s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or a related field
  • Licensed Certified Public Accountant
  • Certified Government Finance OfficerAny equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
    Physical Requirements
    Work is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for the following:
    
  • Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
  • Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and materials; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, materials, and supplies
  • Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
  • Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move materials and supplies; occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling of up to 25 pounds with dollies and carts
    WORKING CONDITIONS
    This is constant indoor and primarily sedentary office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies.
    Required Materials and Equipment
    General office equipment including personal computers, telephone, copy machine, and calculator.
    
    PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
    
  • Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, credit check, driver?s license record, and education verification
  • Pre-employment drug screen
  • Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
  • The Finance Director is appointed by the City Manager and subject to confirmation by City CouncilPlease see job descriptionPI259408326Please see job description