A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. 

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:

  Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 

  Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 

  Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

  Opportunities in Tech - Don’t wait for the future, shape it.

  Benefits - We care about your well being.

Agency Description

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to ensure that Philadelphia is a globally competitive city to which employers flock, entrepreneurs thrive, and innovation abounds; to recruit and retain a diverse set of businesses; to foster economic opportunities for all Philadelphians in all neighborhoods; and to partner with workforce development programs and local businesses on talent development ensuring that all Philadelphians can find and retain living-wage jobs. 

The Senior Director, Finance, is a management role that leads all financial management and budgeting at the Department of Commerce.  Duties include operating budget preparation and control, procurement of goods and services, budget planning and analysis, payment processing, financial and operational audits and the supervision of two finance staff. The Senior Director, Finance, plays a critical role in forecasting, tracking, and budgeting all Commerce-related spending and accounts, including contracts and spending with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and other quasi-city, non-profit and private vendors. The Senior Director, Finance will also play a key role in ensuring high-quality fiscal controls, identifying cost savings wherever possible, and ensuring quality assurances are in place at all levels of financial management and procedural compliance. The Senior Director, Finance, reports to the Deputy Director of Commerce, Operations.

Essential Functions

• Secure and manage necessary funds, including federal, state and local grants, as needed to support the Department of Commerce. This includes the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Mayor’s Fund grants, and Philadelphia Works grants. 
• Work with PIDC to oversee the financials of the Economic Stimulus Program, including timely tracking and reporting of expenses and commitments. 
• Timely and accurate budget preparation and financial monitoring for the Commerce Department, including analysis and development of operating budget requests for conformance with budget policy and needs of the department. 
• Direct financial strategy, planning, and forecasting. 
• Provide information to Commerce Director for hearings before City Council and lead preparation for budget hearing. 
• Prepare justification for modifications in expenditures; prepare documentation for transfer of funds between accounts, when needed. 
• Set up/modify systems and processes to support and streamline new/changing functions. 
• Review projects for the capital program and capital budget request sheets. 
• Accounting control through review of expenditures, reports and financial statements to monitor the financial status of the department and ensure that funds are efficiently and effectively spent. 
• Prepare and submit required reporting to various entities. 
• Review and approve purchase requisitions for items and review inventory reporting and maintain equipment. 
• Oversee procurement of goods and services for the operating needs of the department and monitoring of contracts and payment processing. 
• Serve as a third level approver as needed for payroll. 
• Serve as primary contact at Commerce Department to the Office of the Director of Finance, the Budget Office and the Controller’s Office. 
• Represent Commerce in discussions of Citywide financial issues. 
• Maintain records and tracking of all Commerce-related accounts. 
• Other duties may include: Right-to-Know requests, administrative functions, risk management, and responding to audits and requests, among others. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required; a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration preferred.  
• Minimum of five years financial management experience. Public sector/ municipal experience a strong plus. 
• Knowledge of financial projections, analysis, and planning. 
• Experience managing a large and complex budget. 
• Experience creating and explaining financial reports and spreadsheets. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, and computer communication skills are essential. 
• Advanced financial planning, analysis, and projection skills and experience. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work with individuals across different disciplines and departments. 
• Ability to lead and handle multiple tasks in a tight timeframe. 
• Experience with supervision and managing a diverse team. 
• Strong time management and organizational skills, including attention to detail and abilities to prioritize tasks and keep multiple tasks moving simultaneously. 
• Proficiency in accounting principles and accounting software such as QuickBooks or Peach Tree. 
• Experience with City of Philadelphia accounting systems and budgeting processes preferred. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products. MS Word and Excel are essential.  MS Access, PowerPoint, and Publisher are a plus. 

Closing Date: November 22nd, 2020

Salary Range: $95,500

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. Applications without all documents will not be considered.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• Employees are eligible for a 25% tuition discount program (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available 

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

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