Finance Director

The City of Newton is actively seeking applications for a Finance Director. Please see below for a position description. Newton is a charming community in south-central Kansas with a rich culture and unique character. We're just 20 minutes north of Wichita, part of a dynamic Midwestern metro area. Newton is a family-friendly community, named one of the safest cities in Kansas and among the best places in the state to retire. Our city was founded for the railroad and cattle trails. Our community culture was shaped by Mennonite and Mexican immigrants, and we continue to be enriched by our diversity.
Newton is a city of the first class under Kansas law and has a Commissioner-Manager form of government with 5 Commissioners (elected at large). We are an S&P AA-rated community with a FY 2025 adopted total budget of $63M and a General Fund budget of $29M. The City's 224 full-time equivalents are organized into 9 departments, with the largest budgets with Police, Fire/EMS, Water, and Wastewater.
Compensation for the position is up to $122,012 DOQ. The City of Newton offers a full range of benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending account, EAP, KPERS Pension, 457 plan; and paid vacation, sick and holiday time.
A select group of candidates with superior qualifications will be invited for in-person interviews. References will not be contacted until finalists have been selected.
Position Summary
Under the general supervision of the City Manager, or designee, the Finance Director position is a highly responsible administrative position and a member of the City's executive team. This position supervises the Finance Department, is charged with preparing and overseeing the annual city budget and annual audit, oversees the City's financial functions, and ensures compliance with budget laws. This position maintains and provides an adequate review and analysis of the city's financial position and functions and has a substantial amount of public contact. This position is guided by policies and assignments issued by the City Manager. However, this position involves the exercise of considerable independence in judgment and is held accountable for the bottom-line quality of the services provided by the City of Newton.
The Finance Director assists the City Manager on a wide variety of leadership, management and intra/governmental relations issues, special projects, research, problem solving and work with agencies/groups and the public. The Finance Director coordinates and prepares research reports and analysis regarding special projects and issues and participates in the development of the Capital Improvements Program budget and operating budgets for the City.
Essential Functions:

• Ensures compliance for relevant rules, regulations, ordinances, and directives that may be established by the City Manager, City Council, State of Kansas, and Federal Government.
• Collaborates with members of the City's Management Team to promote a cohesive and positive working environment.
• Researches, develops, and recommends solutions to organizational-related issues and concerns; establishes and documents processes that support the continuous improvement of City operations and services.
• Directs and supervises the Finance Department and the Utility Billing Division.

• Oversees and assists with the City's annual audit process.
• Oversees and assists with the development of the annual city budget.
• Continually monitors the City budget and finances.
• Manages the City's investment funds for high income, low risk returns.
• Manages the risk management program.
• Works with financial advisors for issuance of temporary notes and municipal bonds.
• Provide financial reports to the City Manager about historical data and projected financial impacts of City Manager and City Commission actions; advise the City Manager and the City Commission on financial matters; direct and coordinate preparation of analyses and recommendations on financial policy issues and on long range financial forecasting.
• Provides feedback to the City Manager and City Commission on fiscal impact of city operations.
• Represents the City and works closely with boards and committees and public and private officials.
• Collaborates with the HR Director to align financial planning with organizational staffing and compensation strategies. Provides citizen assistance by fielding questions, information requests and concerns regarding the City budget, finances and bond issuance.
• Assists in preparing agendas for governing body meetings.
• Attends City Commission meetings and work sessions; exercises leadership; works with finance and customer service departments to develop and retain highly competent, customer service-oriented staff through selection, compensation, and training, which supports the City's mission and values.
• Works with subordinate division managers and develops, implements, and monitors long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the City's mission and City Commission priorities.
• Manages and directs the development, implementation and evaluation of plans, programs, policies, systems, and practices to achieve annual City and department goals.
• Directs and evaluates the performance of division managers and their assigned staff, establishes performance requirements and personal development targets.
• Recommend and suggest ideas for process improvements.

Marginal Functions:

• May serve on committees/boards and represent the City at meetings such as the Public Wholesale Water Supply District and the Newton Public Building Commission.
• Research alternative sources of financing.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or deemed necessary.

Position Requirements:
Experience: Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in municipal finance including two years in a supervisory/management position; other government finance experience may be considered on similarity of work tasks; experience as a Finance Director or equivalent; knowledge and/or experience in financial analysis, revenue projection, budget development and financial software. The employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well after 6 months in the position. Incode experience preferred.
Education: Equivalent of a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university and/or relevant work experience in municipal finance/budgeting field to equal 8 years minimum. Other government finance experience may be considered. Prefer MBA, MPA, CPA or CPFO certification.
Skills: Skills expected include knowledge of investments, financial reporting and budget preparation; thorough knowledge of current approved principles and standard practices of budgetary accounting, treasury management, revenue administration, data processing and budgeting; Proficient skills in payroll, billing and budget application management; thorough knowledge of federal, state and city laws, codes and ordinances relative to municipal finance; working knowledge of computers and data processing systems; ability to prepare reports, memos and other documents; ability to read and interpret data and budget documents and financial reports; and the ability to meet and deal tactfully with the general public and elected officials; and the ability to effectively and clearly communicate, both orally and in writing. Must perform effectively in environments with frequent workload changes and competing demands. Must perform with frequent interruptions and/or distractions. Must be able and willing to perform financial calculations as this is a working director position
Problem Solving:Constant problem solving exists in relation to the daily management of financial functions. Frequent problem solving exists in determining optional ways of financing municipal projects and best method of proceeding. Problems involve preparing and overseeing city budget.
Decision Making: Constant decision making involves the monitoring and reporting of public funds and establishing priorities and providing recommendations to the City Manager and City Commission regarding financial and budgetary issues.
Accountability: Employee participates and is directly involved in the annual budgetary process.
Personal Relations: Employee has frequent contact with other city departments, elected officials and citizens. This employee should possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Must have experience at and be able to communicate finance issues well in layman's terms in verbal, written, and presentation formats. Must have experience at and be able to establish cooperative working relationships, listen perceptively and assist and foster a stimulating, accepting learning environment for subordinate staff and other departments.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides general direction and supervision to the Finance Department and Utility Billing Division.
Other Requirements: Must qualify to be bonded if deemed appropriate. Must have and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license at all times through this employment with a good driving record. This employee should possess excellent public relations, supervisory, organizational, oral, and written communication skills. Knowledge of Tyler Technologies ERP is preferred
Working Environment: Works primarily in an office setting, using standard office equipment and computers. Must be able to work flexible hours as needed. Work will include some evening hours and may at times include weekend hours.
Physical Requirements: The Finance Director's physical job demands include Occasional Bend/Crouch; Occasional Carry of <5 lbs.; Occasional Foot Coordination; Constant Hand Coordination; Occasional Lift of up to 50 lbs. from Floor to Waist; Occasional Horizontal Push/Pull of up to12 lbs.; Occasional Forward Reach; Constant Sit; Occasional Stand; Frequent Walk. Refer to Job Analysis.
PDC Level: Medium