Budget Director

Town of Cary•Cary, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Town of Cary's Budget Office, situated within the Town Manager's Office, acts as a central hub for the development and management of the Town's operating and capital budgets. In close collaboration with the Finance Director, Town Manager, Assistant Town Managers, and staff across the organization, the Budget Office is instrumental in shaping fiscal decisions that underpin Cary's services, infrastructure, and long-term objectives. The Budget Director interacts with a diverse group, including residents, staff, executive leadership, and elected officials, providing analysis, context, and guidance for sound fiscal decision-making. This role demands both technical expertise and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, accessible insights for various audiences. Cary is re-establishing the Budget Director role to reflect the increasing scope, complexity, and strategic importance of its financial planning. Reporting to an Assistant Town Manager, the Budget Director will lead a team of two Budget Analysts, with plans to add a Capital Planning Manager. This is a unique opportunity to shape the Budget team and its function by enhancing structure and processes, implementing best practices, and positioning the team as a strategic, high-performing partner supporting the Town's long-term success. The Budget Director is a key member of Cary's management team, leading the Budget Office's operations. The ideal candidate possesses strategic thinking regarding resource allocation, translates Council and community priorities into sound budgets, and helps decision-makers understand the financial trade-offs of service level choices. They communicate complex information clearly and confidently to elected officials, department heads, and residents. This role is motivated by the chance to reshape the budget function and lead a high-performing team serving the Town of Cary and its community.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal administration, governmental budgeting, and public finance.
Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations governing municipal financial practices and procedures, including the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act and North Carolina public records and open meetings laws.
Working knowledge of fund accounting and the principles and practices of fiscal management.
Thorough knowledge of research techniques and the sources and availability of information; general knowledge of modern office methods and appropriate software packages.
General knowledge of supervisory and leadership principles, performance management, project management, strategic planning, and group facilitation and consensus-building.
Ability to plan, organize, assign, and supervise the work of professional staff and foster a productive, accountable team environment.
Ability to analyze budgets, financial information, policies, and procedures, and to make sound recommendations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department directors, supervisors, employees, elected officials, and the public.
Skill in public speaking, authoring and editing complex reports, exercising strategic and political acumen, and managing competing priorities with accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to move fluidly between high-level strategy and the technical detail that makes execution excellent.
Strong, independent judgment and a track record of recognizing, understanding, and clearly communicating the relationships between high-level policy and technical financial concepts.
Creative, proactive thinking that turns strategy into action plans and measurable results, while taking personal ownership for everyday delivery.
Strong political acumen, tact, and diplomacy, with experience working alongside elected bodies.
Aptitude for recruiting, coaching, and developing others, and for understanding team dynamics and building organizational capability.
Significant experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and building trust with internal and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to express ideas clearly, orally, in writing, and through presentations, and to translate complex financial data into accessible insight for diverse audiences.
Proficiency in financial modeling, statistical analysis, and data-driven forecasting, and a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional customer service.
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, management science, or a related field with a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible budget administration or public finance experience including at least three (3) years of management and supervisory experience.
Requires successful completion of drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification, and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks before employment.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in public or business administration is preferred and may be substituted for some experience.
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in government or other public sector environments.

Responsibilities

Serve on the management team offering leadership and collaboration on local government initiatives.
Direct the development, communication, and execution of the Town’s annual operating and capital improvements budgets, establishing the calendar, guidelines, instructions, and policies.
Oversee the production of budget documents, presentations, and communication products to a standard consistent with the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
Review departmental budget requests for appropriateness, programmatic impact, cost effectiveness, and alignment with the Town’s mission, values, goals, and the Imagine Cary Community Plan.
Lead the budget decision-making process with senior leadership.
Establish and coordinate a system of budgetary controls; monitor compliance, evaluate and approve transfers, and prepare amendments for Council consideration.
Advise the Town Manager, Assistant Town Managers, Finance Director, and Council on the budget, tax and rate sufficiency, current and prospective financial conditions, and policy and operational issues with a focus on multi-year planning.
Monitor state and federal legislation, reporting to executive leadership and Council on new and changing legislation affecting budgeting and taxing authority, development of new revenue streams, and related fiscal matters.
Direct multi-year revenue and expenditure forecasting; develop informed projections across diverse revenue streams.
Lead long-range financial planning and the twenty-year capital improvements plan; continuously update short-, mid-, and long-range recommendations.
Partner with the Finance Director on debt planning, debt service, and long-term financial strategy for capital projects.
Evaluate the benefits, costs, and budget impact of proposals, programs, and policy alternatives; present data-informed recommendations.
Champion and coordinate Town-wide performance management and continuous improvement initiatives, linking resources to outcomes and results.
Align the budget with the Imagine Cary Community Plan and Council goals and support the Council priority-setting process.
Lead the development, implementation, and effective use of budget and financial technology, including ERP and budget software platforms, identifying gaps and needed enhancements.
Communicate complex financial issues clearly to a wide range of stakeholders including the Town Manager, Council, departments, media, and public through reports, presentations, and conversation.
Develop materials for Council presentations and public engagement; present before Council at work sessions and in Council meetings.
Develop materials to promote budget transparency for Cary residents, including interactive tools for public input and tracking.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with department directors, employees, elected officials, other governments, media, and the public.
Lead, coach, mentor, and develop budget professionals; recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff; and strengthen the capability of the Budget team.
Develop, revise, and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards; prioritize and review work to ensure quality and timeliness.
Provide budget training and guidance to department and division heads and budget coordinators.
Design, coordinate, and conduct complex special studies and projects; provide Town-wide policy and program recommendations to leadership; perform other related duties as required.