Budget and Payroll Administrator

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking a visionary financial leader to manage its fiscal operations. This role is a high-level management position responsible for leading, simplifying, and transforming government accounting. The Budget and Payroll Administrator will oversee the financial blueprint and economic heartbeat of the Department, directly supporting the Business and Finance Chief. Key responsibilities include architecting fiscal strategy, leading the agency-wide Budget Simplification process, transforming complex data into clear visions for executive staff and the Commission, driving the annual Department-wide budget development, and mastering Position Control to ensure every dollar supports the mission of protecting Arizona’s wildlife and natural resources. The position involves commanding state-of-the-art systems, shaping public policy as a technical advisor, inspiring and empowering leaders by providing global oversight to budget and payroll units, and protecting Arizona's wilderness through executive financial management. The ideal candidate will be an elite communicator capable of translating complex budget data for non-financial audiences, managing multiple high-stakes deadlines, and providing inspiring leadership to subordinate supervisors. This role ensures the agency operates seamlessly, remains compliant, and maintains financial integrity.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of public sector budgeting, payroll operations, cost accounting, and federal grant management principles.
Deep familiarity with payroll and financial systems (like AZ360, Arizona Procurement Portal, InfoAdvantage/Power BI), alongside database development skills to build complex, multi-layered worksheets in Excel and Google Sheets.
Exceptional administrative ability to supervise professional staff, manage workflow priorities, and guide a team through high-pressure deadlines.
Brilliant presentation and active listening skills, with a unique knack for translating complex, technical budget data into simple terms for non-financial audiences across all levels of the Department.
A sharp understanding of the Arizona Revised Statutes, State polices, federal mandates, and indirect cost principles (ICRP).
Knowledge in/of AZ360 or other human resources information systems and financial systems to include tables and organizational structure.
Knowledge of budget principles and practices.
Knowledge of grants management principles and practices.
Knowledge of payroll principles and practices.
Comprehensive knowledge of cost accounting, budget, and automated accounting systems and integrated software packages.
Working knowledge of government accounting concepts, principles, methods and practices of public sector accounting to include projection/forecasting, as well as generally accepted accounting principles.
Knowledge of federal regulations, Arizona Revised Statutes and indirect cost principles.
Knowledge of various database software, such as Excel and ACCESS in order to create queries and mine data, as well as knowledge of general business practices and procedures.
Advanced skills in mathematics and forecasting.
Interpersonal relationships and active listening skills.
Database development and analysis skills.
Skills in the use of reporting tools such as AZ360 InfoAdvantage and Power BI.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Customer service skills in anticipating customer needs and/or problems.
Presentation skills.
Planning, control and organization skills.
Ability to handle multiple critical tasks while meeting quality and time constraints.
Ability to present information effectively in a manner suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
Ability to convey complex data clearly and concisely either verbally or in writing to non-financial employees in an easily understood manner.
Ability to exercise effective administrative and technical supervision over professional staff.
Position requires possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Economics or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
Five years managerial experience in one or more functions related to the duties of this class.

Responsibilities

Direct and coordinate the annual Department-wide budget development process.
Confer with Executive staff, leadership team, and program staff concerning the budgetary needs and requirements and serve as technical advisor.
Lead the Budget pooling and reallocation process for the agency.
Facilitate meetings and conduct presentations with management team members and the Commission.
Manage and maintain various financial and budget databases, reports, and schedules.
Create complex financial and budget worksheets and reports.
Ensure the agency is in compliance with all budgetary and payroll reporting requirements including coordination and submission of the annual budget, ICRP, JLBC reporting, foreign travel report, and other required financial reports for budget, grants and payroll.
Recommend agency guidelines for continued improvements to financial work systems.
Manage Position Control for the agency.
Prepare merit pay calculations.
Provide global management and approval of various financial documents and provide technical guidance and consultation.
Review and approve complex financial and budgetary schedules, reports, and reconciliations.
Review and approve AZ360 transactions.
Create and maintain a chart of accounts.
Provide direct oversight of the budget and payroll work units with a team of subordinate supervisors and staff; manage complex assignments, projects and workflow priorities, ensure training completion and prepare annual evaluations and performance reviews of subordinate supervisors.
Provide leadership to supervisors.
Perform huddles and manage established performance metrics.
Compose correspondence pertaining to complex subject matters in assigned areas.
Provide guidance and consultation regarding Department policies and current practices and participate in the establishment of guidelines and policies.
Participate in cross-divisional meetings and projects and recommend best practices and improvements.
Serve as backup for Branch Chief for attending meetings.
Maintain knowledge of current budgetary, grants management and payroll practices, regulations, rules and guidelines by attending classes, conferences and meetings to stay current with industry standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

13 days’ of vacation
12 sick days
10 paid holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System
Superior health care options
Vision care, dental care, pharmacy benefits, and flexible spending account (options available)
Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance options are available
Many more benefit programs are available
Option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule
Paid Parental Leave program