Finance Director

Finance Director

Salary

$167,611.89 - $284,940.63 Annually

Location

City Hall

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

1033-26

Department

Finance 0700000000

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description
• Benefits

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is senior executive-level work in the administration and management of the Citys Finance Department. The Director is the Chief Administrator for the department, which includes Central Accounting, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Retirement Services, Finance Customer Billing. Work involves planning, scheduling, supervising, and participating in all phases of the Citys financial activities. General direction is received from the City Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops, communicates, and executes strategic business plans and objectives in alignment with the Citys vision, mission, and values.
• Leverages succession management strategies to develop a diverse pipeline of highly qualified talent and future leaders.
• Formulates departmental goals and objectives.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns responsibilities to ensure goal attainment.
• Reviews the work of subordinates as required.
• Supervises the Assistant Finance Director, Division Managers, City Clerk, and other management personnel and reviews performance.
• Sets high-performance standards; provides honest and constructive feedback when expectations and results are not achieved; and renders timely personnel decisions as needed.
• Promotes a culture committed to continuous improvement.
• Maintains an adequate accounting system for recording financial data and providing a Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to the City Commission and other interested parties. Performs financial analysis and prepares financial and statistical reports as required.
• Develops departmental policies and procedures.
• Develops accounting policies and procedures for all departments within the framework of the City Charter; Federal, State, and local laws; City policies; and authoritative accounting standard-setting bodies such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
• Works closely with the Citys Financial Advisor(s), Investment Bankers, Legal Counsel, and City Management in project and financial planning and debt issuance.
• Provides input and assists in developing various legal and bond disclosure documents for debt issuance and refinancing, including for the Electric and Water Utility.
• Issues the Annual Report to Bondholders and provides required disclosure to Nationally Recognized Municipal Securities Information Repositories.
• Ensures compliance with bond and loan covenants.
• Establishes investment policies and coordinates the long-term investment of surplus funds.
• Prepares revenue and expenditure forecasts and coordinates the annual budget preparation.
• Ensures compliance with the TRIM statute.
• Attends City Commission meetings and Commission Committee meetings and advises the City Commission, City Manager, and Department Directors concerning financial matters.
• Acts as City Clerk when required.
• Is the Chair-person of the Public Improvement Endowment Fund
• Represents the City Manager in all collective bargaining negotiations
• Prepares oral and written reports to the City Manager, City Commission, and other City departments as required.
• Works with state agencies, including the Division of Bond Finance, the Auditor General, and the Florida Department of Revenue, to ensure compliance with state law and procedural requirements.
• Works with various state and federal agencies in obtaining financing or grants for City programs.
• Assists the general public, actuaries, independent auditors, rating agencies, insurance companies, investment banking firms, brokerage firms, bondholders, and other interested parties in obtaining information relating to the Citys finances and outstanding debt.
• Demonstrates genuine concern for the Departments and the Citys success, modeling selfless behavior.
• Promotes world-class customer service by being accessible and responsive, anticipating customer expectations, architecting innovative and resourceful solutions, and building partnerships within the community.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting.
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience in Accounting, with four years of experience in Finance (both debt issuance and investment) and management.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Persons holding an active designation of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will be given preference in the selection process.
• Completion of Certified Public Manager (CPM) or completion within three years.
• An incumbent in this position is required to file a financial disclosure statement with the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 112, Part III. This filing must be completed within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter, no later than July 1 of each year in which the individual serves in this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Municipal accounting principles and procedures as applied to a complex municipal accounting system involving many complicated transactions.
• Applicable laws, regulations, procedures, and processes governing the City governments receipt, custody, expenditure, and accounting of monies.
• City policies and procedures.

ABILITIES:

• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise the work of Departmental personnel most efficiently and productively to achieve Departmental goals and objectives.
• Prepare oral and written financial reports.
• Present complex positions to varied audiences
• Absorb complex financial problems or issues and apply technical knowledge to derive solutions or alternatives.
• Ability to deal effectively with City departments, City administration, and the general public.
• Ability to use sound judgment and competent decision-making in administering the department and handling the Citys financial affairs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work with some walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
• Exposure to bright/dim lights, dust, and pollen.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, and color perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

This recruitment is being handled by an external recruiter. Please review their posting and process at:

Job Posting - Finance Director

TO APPLY:

Anne Lewis

RAFTELIS

email: alewis@raftelis.com

Electronic submissions are required.

Phone (540) 757-0316

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

Employer City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address 500 N Lake Parker Avenue

Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone (863)834-8790

Website http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices