The Controller is the chief financial officer and auditor for the City and County of San Francisco (City). Our team includes financial, tech, accounting, analytical and other professionals who work hard to secure the City's financial integrity and promote efficient, effective, and accountable government. We hold ourselves to high standards and strive to be a model for good government. We value the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences of our teams and clients in everything we do. We work in a collaborative and inclusive environment, promote equal opportunity, and invest in the professional development and wellbeing of our team members. Our employees are committed to serving the public with integrity and want to see positive impacts from our work. We strive to be a model for good government and to make the City a better place to live and work.

• Application Opening: April 9, 2024
• Application Filing Deadline: Continious 
• Annual Salary: $223,444 - $285,116 (Range A)

In partnership with the Controller, the Deputy Controller manages departmental operations and assists with key Citywide responsibilities, which may include: providing executive oversight for key departmental functions such as administration, accounting, budgeting, contracting, debt management, economic analysis, financial management, human resources and information technology; overseeing internal programs such as public information and records management and administrative appeals functions;  overseeing citywide services and mandates such the enterprise systems, compliance, cybersecurity and performance auditing, payroll administration, refuse rates administration, Public Integrity initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned by the Controller. The position also serves as the citywide executive in charge of the Finance & Administration Section Chief of the City’s Emergency Operations Center & Incident Command System when needed during emergency or disaster activations, including related cost recovery efforts from Federal and State sources.

The Deputy Controller has lead responsibility for directing, coordinating, establishing, and executing financial and accounting policies and methods affecting all units of the Controller's Office and financial offices of all City departments. They foster working relationships with City officials and representatives from outside organizations in connection with the interpretation and explanation of policies, rules and procedures governing the operation of city finances and they prepare, maintain and review critically important financial, audit, public integrity, budgetary, accounting records and reports. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Top Priorities of the next Deputy Controller):

• Together with the Controller, set and manage the strategic direction of the Controller’s Office, directly manage the operations of various divisions of the department, and generally support the day-to-day operations of the department.
• Manage continued improvement in the technology tools the Controller’s Office provides for the City to conduct its core financial, procurement, human resources, and payroll business.  This includes executive oversight of the division that maintains and improves the City’s enterprise-wide systems used by all City departments, including but not limited to SF People & Pay, SF Budget, SF Financials, SF Procurement, SF Mobile Inventory, SF Learning, SF Reports & Analytics, and SF OpenBook, the financial transparency web-based tool available 24/7 for the Public.
• Play a key role in the development, review, and approval of the City’s annual budget process, through technical and policy assistance to the Mayor’s Office, Board of Supervisors, department heads and finance staff, labor organizations, and various other stakeholders, as required.
• Lead planning for continuity of the City’s financial operations in the event of an earthquake or other disaster, including serving as the Chief of the Finance and Administration Section of the City’s Emergency Operations Center, responsible for management of citywide financial operations in a disaster and cost recovery during and following declared emergencies.
• Provide consistent enforcement of labor and payroll rules, policies, and procedures. Increasing accountability and internal controls regarding budgetary, finance, procurement, human resources, and payroll functions throughout the City.
• Maintain and enhance the Controller’s Office reputation for analytical rigor, integrity, and independence in the performance of all duties, and model these qualities for Controller’s Office staff. 
• Understand the City’s unique and complex political structure and operating environment to improve the operations of the Controller’s Office and, through that work, overall City operations. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The next Deputy Controller will be a high-level, seasoned manager with a background in public sector financial management and government operations, who can effectively communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences.  The ideal candidate will make public presentations before various Boards, Commissions, Councils and Advisory bodies, government and/or elected officials, and City residents on a variety of issues including complex policies and financial matters. The Deputy Controller interfaces with all managerial levels of City & County government and external agencies, serving as a representative of the Controller in meetings involving sensitive budget and financial matters, with the ability to foster trust and collaboration.

The Deputy Controller is a hands-on position, which supervises a staff of employees and performs a significant amount of oversight and review, as well as analysis, of all aspects of the office’s financial operations.  The ideal candidate will be a proven leader, capable of delegating to others while providing support, guidance, and constructive feedback and coaching to staff. The Deputy Controller is also responsible for preparing and presenting the department’s annual budget, administering the department’s multi-million-dollar budget (all funds and recoveries), and managing all associated transaction, contract, operating and reporting details and duties.

Applicant must meet all the following Minimum Qualifications by the application filing deadline:

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Public Policy, or closely related field; AND
2. Six (6) years of verifiable full-time financial management experience in a public agency, which must include supervision of staff performing professional finance, accounting, bond, audit, or related financial and administrative duties; AND
3. Two (2) years of verifiable full-time professional experience in strategic planning, complex policy analysis, budget, public administration, project management, or related consulting

DESIRABLE QUALIFICAITONS:

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Ten (10) or more years of full-time financial management experience in a public agency
• Possession of a post-graduate degree or license in a relevant field, preferably in Public Policy, Public or Business Administration.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills at all organizational levels.
• Finance experience in a municipal organization.
• Knowledge and experience with the City’s accounting, financial, procurement, payroll, human resources and associated reporting systems and public transparency tools.
• Experience with negotiating City contracts and ensuring effective change management planning and implementation occurs.
• Experience with analyzing financial data and preparing financial reports, statements, and projections.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department head and directors, managers, commission and board members, staff, and others.
• Ability to interpret a strategic vision into operational model.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments and projects.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.

Selection Procedure:

The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to participate in the oral/performance interview.

Verification

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

How to Apply: Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at [email protected]

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.