Director of Budget & Finance

Harris County - Houston, TX

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Houston, TX

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities

About the position

Harris County Engineering Department is seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to join as the Director of Budget & Finance. Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, this position entails highly responsible management and complex professional administrative duties within the Finance Division. The primary role involves monitoring and analyzing the department's financial status to provide critical information for executive leadership's decision-making process. The Director of Budget & Finance will develop and implement financial strategies, plans, and policies aligned with organizational goals. This role requires providing leadership in the formulation of budgetary and fiscal policies, conducting financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling to guide strategic decisions. The individual will lead the annual budgeting process and ensure budgets are aligned with strategic objectives. Additionally, the Director will monitor budget implementation and variance analysis, making recommendations for adjustments as needed, and prepare and present accurate and timely financial statements, reports, and analyses to executive leadership. Compliance with accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies is crucial, as is managing cash flow and liquidity to support operational needs and strategic initiatives. The Director will oversee risk management strategies related to financial operations and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and reporting standards. Implementing controls and procedures to safeguard financial assets and minimize the risk of fraud is also a key responsibility. The Director will serve as a financial advisor to support decision-making and strategic planning initiatives, coordinate financial audits, and ensure timely completion of audit requirements. Other duties may be assigned by Executive Leadership as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial strategies, plans, and policies aligned with organizational goals.
• Provide leadership in the formulation of budgetary and fiscal policies.
• Conduct financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling to guide strategic decisions.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and ensure budgets are aligned with strategic objectives.
• Monitor budget implementation and variance analysis, making recommendations for adjustments as needed.
• Prepare and present accurate and timely financial statements, reports, and analyses to executive leadership.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies.
• Manage cash flow and liquidity to support operational needs and strategic initiatives.
• Forecast cash flow projections and make recommendations for optimizing cash resources.
• Oversee risk management strategies related to financial operations and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and reporting standards.
• Implement controls and procedures to safeguard financial assets and minimize risk of fraud.
• Serve as a financial advisor to support decision-making and strategic planning initiatives.
• Coordinate financial audits and ensure timely completion of audit requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Executive Leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• At least eight (6) years' experience in budgeting and financial management in a multi-layer organization, in a leadership role, addressing business analytics and process improvement.
• Proven experience with accounting, analytical, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with financial statement management and analysis, including Statement of Operations, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow.
• Experience in analyzing complex chart of accounts.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in business administration or related field preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive finance experience including leadership role, business analytics, and process improvement.
• Aptitude for making sound financial decisions under pressure.
• Ability to innovate and improve financial processes and systems.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
• Accrual rates increase based on years of service
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program)