Finance Director

City of Fountain Valley • Fountain Valley, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Fountain Valley is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Finance Director to join its Executive Management Team. This role reports directly to the City Manager and offers an opportunity to guide the strategic direction of the organization while overseeing financial operations. The Finance Director will influence policy, partner with executive leadership, advise elected officials, and lead a team dedicated to serving a community of nearly 60,000 residents. Fountain Valley is a financially sound, full-service city in Orange County, California, known for its quality of life, parks, public safety, and strong sense of community. The organization values innovation, transparency, and customer service. As Finance Director, you will be a key executive leader, providing strategic financial leadership and positioning Fountain Valley for continued fiscal strength and long-term sustainability. This role is particularly exciting due to the City's investments in significant capital improvement projects, including a new fire station. The Finance Director will be critical in evaluating financing strategies, developing long-term financial plans, and navigating the complexities of funding major capital investments. Experience with municipal debt financing and bond issuance is highly valued, as is the ability to evaluate financing alternatives, work with financial advisors, communicate complex financial concepts, and align debt strategies with long-term objectives. The position oversees a department of twelve professionals, including an Accounting Manager and Finance Manager, and guides all aspects of financial operations such as financial planning, budget development, accounting, reporting, payroll, purchasing, revenue collection, audits, internal controls, business licensing, investment management, and financial policy development. The role also involves serving as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Council, executive team, finance committees, advisory bodies, and community stakeholders, requiring strong interpersonal skills, trust-building, transparency, and relationship development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, business, public administration, or a related field.
• At least seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in governmental finance.
• At least four (4) years in a management/supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with municipal debt financing and the issuance of bonds to support capital improvement projects.
• Ability to evaluate financing alternatives.
• Ability to work effectively with financial advisors and bond professionals.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to decision-makers.
• Ability to ensure that debt strategies align with the City's long-term financial objectives.
• Strategic thinker who sees the big picture while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Approachable and collaborative leader who builds trust throughout the organization.
• Innovative problem solver who embraces continuous improvement and modern business practices.
• Confident communicator who can translate complex financial information into meaningful guidance for diverse audiences.
• Mentor who develops employees, builds high-performing teams, and promotes accountability through positive leadership.
• Professional with unquestioned integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to ethical public service.
• Experience developing and administering a City-wide budget is highly desirable.

Nice To Haves

• A master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial planning and financial strategy.
• Manage budget development and administration.
• Direct accounting and financial reporting.
• Administer payroll.
• Oversee purchasing and procurement.
• Manage revenue collection and utility billing.
• Oversee annual audits and internal controls.
• Manage business licensing.
• Oversee investment and cash management.
• Develop and implement financial policy.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager, City Council, executive leadership team, finance committees, advisory bodies, and community stakeholders.
• Evaluate financing strategies for capital improvement projects.
• Develop long-term financial plans.
• Navigate the complexities of funding major capital investments.
• Develop and administer a City-wide budget.

Benefits

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• Choice of CalPERS medical HMO and PPO plans.
• Choice of DHMO or DPPO dental plans.
• Medical and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents are paid by the City.
• $100,000 life insurance policy (mandatory)
• Vision and optional AFLAC insurance.
• Matching deferred compensation 457(b) or 401(a) contribution up to $500 per month.
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals, including 108 hours for administrative leave (prorated upon hire)
• Annual wellness/fitness reimbursement of $500 per fiscal year
• Retiree Health Savings Account: Mandatory 2% employee contribution
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager