Budget Director

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

The Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is seeking an experienced, innovative, results-oriented Budget Director to lead the Budget Division. The Budget Division within the Department of Management and Finance (DMF) is responsible for providing sound, accurate, and timely financial analysis to ensure the prudent use and safeguarding of County resources and enable the delivery of high-quality services. The Budget Director manages the operating and capital budgets for Arlington County and is responsible for developing and managing the annual budget.

The Budget Director position requires frequent interaction with staff and directors of other County departments, the County Manager, the elected County Board, the press, and civic and business groups, and includes making public presentations. This position also requires the concurrent balancing of numerous competing work priorities and the completion of assigned tasks on a quality basis within fixed time frames. During the multi-month public consideration of the budget, some evening meetings with public entities may be required. It is expected that this employee will work as an integral member of the Department of Management and Finance and various County leadership teams.

This is a highly visible and key position within the Arlington County Government. The employee reports organizationally to the Director of the Department of Management and Finance and operates with substantial latitude in budget, administration and recommending budget priorities.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading the development, implementation and management of the annual budget process, as well as the biennial Capital Improvement Plan process;
• Monitoring budget execution across Arlington County while analyzing and providing budget decision recommendations to the Department Director and County Manager;
• Working closely with senior department staff and County leadership as the key person responsible for all funds of the operating budget - ensuring quality control, performing analyses, making recommendations, and ensuring that all necessary costs have been included and projected accurately;
• Conducting extensive internal and external stakeholder communication throughout the year;
• Overseeing recurring and ad hoc financial analysis and reporting to include preparing and presenting complex, technical oral and written reports for a variety of audiences with the ability to address the concerns of a diverse, complex urban environment like Arlington County;
• Providing strategic planning and policy development for the entire Arlington County budget;
• Providing budget decision recommendations to the Department Director and County Manager to include participating in decision making meetings with the County Manager's Office by presenting funding options and recommendations; 
• Supervising the DMF Budget Division to include hiring, training, assigning work and evaluating performance of staff; and
• Overseeing the management and improvement of technological tools utilized for the budget, ensuring that the tools function properly, are routinely tested and maintained, and are enhanced, upgraded or replaced as needed. 

Qualifications

Minimums: 

• Bachelors degree in Business, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field; and
• Significant and progressively responsible experience in the finance, planning and administration of publicly funded programs or related work that includes budgeting, accounting and procurement.

 

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education requirement.
 
 Desirable: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Master’s degree in in Business, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field;

• Extensive experience in state or local government budget development and monitoring, or related area; 

• Experience as a team leader, supervisor, or in senior management; 

• Expertise in public sector, multi-fund budgeting principles and practices; and 

• Varied knowledge of the technical, political, and fiscal complexities of local government.

 

Special Requirements

 
A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are prospective employees. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

A letter of application is required. Please use the space provided in the supplemental questionnaire to insert a letter addressing how your background meets the qualification requirements.

Completion of the Commonwealth of Virginia Statement of Economic Interest form will be required of the successful candidate. Pursuant to Section 27-9 of the Arlington County code, this position requires the completion of "Statement of Economic Interest" (Financial Disclosure) form upon acceptance of employment and annually thereafter.

 

Additional Information

The salary is negotiable and starting salary will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

This position is in the Arlington County Government's Management Accountability Program, in which Senior Program Managers are evaluated and compensated based on a performance agreement linked to the County's Management plan, and results achieved, among other criteria. For more information on Arlington's family friendly benefits, click here.

The official title for this position is Budget & Management Division Chief. 
 

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

Applications will be reviewed continuously. Interviews will be scheduled with those candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

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