Job Description

Planning Department Finance Director

On April 2nd, 2024, Mayor Michelle signed an ordinance to create a Planning Department in the City of Boston for the first time in 70 years. The ordinance restores planning as a core function of City government, ensuring its inclusion in the City's budget, and allowing for the transfer of current staff from the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) to the new Planning Department.

The Department is included in the City of Boston FY25 proposed budget and will be operational as of July 1st, 2024. Moving forward, the Planning Department budget will be reviewed through the City's budget process, like other City departments. Staff of the Department will support the BPDA Board, which will remain the City's Planning Board, reviewing development projects, planning and zoning initiatives, and land acquisition and disposition. The Finance Director will be responsible for overseeing the general accounting, budget, grants, procurement/purchasing, audit, cash and investments, AP/AR, and fiscal operations for the new Planning Department and will continue to lead the Finance operation of the BPDA. Candidates should have significant financial and budgeting knowledge and experience, along with strong leadership skills. The position provides strategic management of the agency's finances and budget. Prior government experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work with other leaders within the department to articulate strategic priorities in annual budget requests and represent the department throughout the City's budget process.
• Oversee, update, and participate in the formulation of internal policies, procedures, and controls to govern the fiscal activity of the agency. Ensure compliance with all applicable city, state, federal, and professional standards and regulations.
• Directly and through a subordinate manager (Controller), manage accounting operations. Ensure the timely and accurate processing of all accounting transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and grant accounting. Hold cash management responsibilities, including Bank Financing and banking relationships. Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of monthly internal and external financial statements; oversee consolidation and preparation of combined statements.
• Directly, and through subordinate manager (Budget Director), manage development and administration of organizational operating and capital budgets. Ensure timely and accurate integration of department budgets into combined plan. Ensure timely and accurate preparation, distribution, and analysis of budget variance reports to Division Heads.
• Directly, and through subordinate managers (Budget Director and Procurement Manager), manage organization's purchasing and procurement function. Ensure compliance with all city, state and federal contractual requirements. Ensure that all purchases deliver optimum cost to value for organization. Ensure that all expenditures receive proper approvals. Ensure that agency-wide efforts are being coordinated to implement equitable procurement practices.
• Lead the preparation and interpretation of financial performance and planning reports reflecting results of operations compared to budget, including financial and cash flow forecasts. Manage and monitor the organization's cash flow and liquidity. Oversee actual revenues and expenditures against projections and plans. Identify and interpret financial trends, patterns, and other items of note; assess and determine the impact on the organization; recommend and implement appropriate response including Board Review.
• Direct the organization's independent, federal, and state audits; maintain current awareness of all financial reporting requirements. Maintain and update current knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory changes affecting the organization's fiscal operations.
• Manage and control Finance activities. Provide management direction and guidance; intervene as necessary to resolve administrative or technical issues.
• Provide management and direction to the Lease Administration staff, ensuring that the leasing database remains up to date, that tenants are appropriately billed, and that rents are collected on a timely basis.
• Design and implement new financial management systems; update current system to reflect present and future needs of the organization.
• Manage Budget, Purchasing, and Accounting staff. Recommend selection of Finance staff; provide training, orientation, and coaching. Conduct performance reviews; recommend personnel actions for department staff. Develop performance plans with reporting staff that are consistent with job description and qualifications.
• Collaborate with other division managers in cross-divisional initiatives. Lead and participate in initiatives with other City agencies or other government bodies.
• Provide management direction and guidance to the BLDC/BIDFA staff.
• Act as the Chief Procurement Officer for the agency.
• Provide fiscal advice and guidance to senior management and program managers.
• Participate in the preparation and presentation of material to the Board of Directors.
• Lead and participate in special projects.
• Develop, recommend, and administer the operating budget for the BPDA, City of Boston Planning Department, and affiliates.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Strong background in finance, budgeting, and public management.
• Master's degree in Business or Public Administration or related field. Significant and direct experience may substitute for all or part of the degree requirement.
• CPA certification or equivalent experience preferred, plus ten years of progressively responsible and related experience in fiscal management, including a minimum of three (3) years of direct supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts procurement rules and regulations as set forth by the Massachusetts Inspector General's Office and Attorney General is desirable.
• Ability to use office software and automated accounting/budget software is required.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms: Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/Non-Graded Hours Per Week: 35

Salary Range: $145,000 - $165,000 depending on experience

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