Finance Director

Sumter Local Government Consulting•Gallatin, TN

94d•Onsite

About The Position

Sumner County, Tennessee operates one of the larger and more complex county governments in Middle Tennessee, serving a population of more than 210,000 residents. The Director of Finance serves as Sumner County’s chief financial officer and is responsible for providing executive leadership over all countywide financial operations. This position oversees the Centralized Finance Department, which functions as a core service organization supporting virtually every aspect of county government. The Director is accountable for ensuring the integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability of the County’s financial systems while aligning fiscal resources with policy priorities established by the County Mayor and County Commission. The Director of Finance has comprehensive responsibility for accounting, budgeting, payroll, purchasing, cash and investment management, debt administration, financial reporting, audit coordination, and regulatory compliance. The role includes direct oversight of the County’s annual operating and capital budget process, including preparation, analysis, presentation, and ongoing monitoring of appropriations and revenues. Beyond technical oversight, the Director of Finance serves as a key strategic advisor to elected officials, senior leadership, boards, and committees. The position plays a central role in long-range financial planning, including capital improvement programming, debt issuance and management, reserve policy oversight, and financial forecasting. Responsibilities include evaluating financing options, reviewing debt instruments for regulatory compliance, recommending investment policies, and supporting the County’s efforts to maintain fiscal stability and strong creditworthiness. As head of the Finance Department, the Director of Finance provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for finance staff. This includes hiring and managing personnel, setting performance expectations, supporting training and succession planning, and fostering a collaborative and service-oriented culture. The Director is expected to balance hands-on involvement in complex financial matters with effective delegation, ensuring continuity of operations while developing internal capacity. The position also serves as the County’s HIPAA Officer and is responsible for Title VI compliance and other statutory obligations.

Requirements

Extensive governmental finance experience, including a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in state or local government accounting and financial management.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is required. Candidates licensed in another state must be eligible to transfer licensure to Tennessee prior to appointment.
Senior-level leadership experience, with at least five (5) years of supervisory responsibility overseeing professional staff and complex financial operations.
Demonstrated expertise in public-sector financial management, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), state and local government accounting standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Proven experience in budget development and administration, including preparation, execution, monitoring, and reporting for large, multi-fund operating and capital budgets.
Strong knowledge of debt issuance and debt management, including notes, bonds, and long-term financing strategies, with experience evaluating affordability, compliance, and timing.
Experience managing comprehensive financial operations, including accounting, cash and investment management, internal controls, audits, and financial reporting.
Advanced analytical and technical skills, including a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial analysis and reporting tools.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and effectively to elected officials, boards, committees, staff, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated ethical judgment and integrity, with a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Nice To Haves

Strategic financial leadership with the ability to guide long-range financial planning, evaluate fiscal risks, and align financial resources with County priorities and policy direction.
Executive-level advisory presence, serving as a trusted financial counselor to the County Mayor, County Commission, constitutional officers, and senior staff.
Clear and effective communicator, capable of translating complex financial data, budget concepts, and regulatory requirements into understandable, actionable information for diverse audiences.
Collaborative and relationship-driven approach, working productively across departments and independently elected offices to support budgeting, performance monitoring, and shared accountability.
High emotional intelligence and professional judgment, demonstrating diplomacy, discretion, and confidence when navigating politically sensitive and high-visibility financial matters.
Change-oriented leadership capability, able to assess existing processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and guide staff through system, workflow, or organizational changes.
Sound decision-making under pressure, balancing compliance, fiscal stewardship, service delivery needs, and competing priorities in a complex public-sector environment.
People-centered management style, emphasizing mentorship, staff development, succession planning, and accountability within the Finance Department.
Uncompromising ethical standards, maintaining public trust through transparency, strong internal controls, and consistent adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
Adaptability and continuous learning mindset, remaining responsive to evolving economic conditions, financial regulations, technology, and organizational needs.

Responsibilities

Providing executive leadership over all countywide financial operations.
Overseeing the Centralized Finance Department.
Ensuring the integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability of the County’s financial systems.
Aligning fiscal resources with policy priorities.
Comprehensive responsibility for accounting, budgeting, payroll, purchasing, cash and investment management, debt administration, financial reporting, audit coordination, and regulatory compliance.
Direct oversight of the County’s annual operating and capital budget process.
Serving as a key strategic advisor to elected officials, senior leadership, boards, and committees.
Playing a central role in long-range financial planning, including capital improvement programming, debt issuance and management, reserve policy oversight, and financial forecasting.
Evaluating financing options, reviewing debt instruments for regulatory compliance, recommending investment policies.
Providing leadership, supervision, and professional development for finance staff.
Hiring and managing personnel, setting performance expectations, supporting training and succession planning.
Fostering a collaborative and service-oriented culture.
Balancing hands-on involvement in complex financial matters with effective delegation.
Serving as the County’s HIPAA Officer.
Responsible for Title VI compliance and other statutory obligations.