Legislative Budget and Fiscal Policy Advisor

City of Minneapolis•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Legislative Research and Oversight (LRO) Division supports, informs, and facilitates the work of the City Council through consultations, independent research and analysis, evaluatory services, and technical support. LRO services are structured with the goal of providing clear, objective, nonpartisan research and analysis in support of effective, informed, and evidence-based legislative policymaking and oversight. The LRO Division’s core objectives are: Providing independent, nonpartisan research, reference, and analytical services in support of policymaking and oversight functions of the City Council and its Committees. Offering independent, nonpartisan analysis of the Mayor’s Recommended Budget, the City’s financial policies, and the financial implications of legislative and policy proposals. Maintaining capacity to conduct research, reference, and analytical support functions required by the City Council and its Committees. The Legislative Budget and Fiscal Policy Advisor serves as a strategic partner in shaping the City of Minneapolis's fiscal policymaking and legislative oversight. This position plays a key role in the review, analysis, and oversight of the City’s budget and fiscal policies to support fiscal responsibility and alignment with citywide priorities. The advisor provides expert guidance on budgetary and fiscal policy matters, evaluates the financial impact of expenditures, conducts in-depth research on service capacity and productivity, and recommends innovative solutions to improve service quality and operational efficiency across the City enterprise. The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Requirements

College degree in Finance, Accounting, Business/Public Administration, Economics, or a closely related field.
Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, fiscal policy analysis, or finance.
Two years’ experience conducting complex financial analysis, preferrable for a policymaking environment.
Demonstrated expertise in public budgeting principles, including performance-based budgeting, capital improvement planning, and financial forecasting.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines, and relevant financial reporting protocols.
Strong analytical skills to evaluate how resource allocation decisions impact service delivery and long-term fiscal health across departments and citywide programs.
Strong data interpretation skills to interpret complex financial and operational data and identify patterns, relationships, and implications.
Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally, with technical and non-technical audiences.
Skilled in preparing reports, policy briefs, presentations, and other materials that translate complex financial and policy information into accessible formats for elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.
Strong organizational and project management abilities to manage multiple priorities and assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Demonstrated effective time management and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and stakeholder needs.
Ability to provide objective, evidence-based and impartial recommendation policy and budgetary recommendations to City Council and executive leadership.
Skilled in weighing competing interests and using data to guide policy conversations toward practical, effective outcomes.
Ability to apply performance measures and program information to budget recommendations.
Ability to apply critical thinking and ethical reasoning to navigate complex organizational dynamics.
Demonstrated flexibility and resilience in response to changing political priorities, evolving Council direction, or organizational restructuring.
Capable of quickly reorienting work to meet new challenges or mandates.
Ability to maintain the highest standards of professionalism when handling confidential, controversial, or politically sensitive information.
Ensure that all communications and recommendations are presented with integrity and transparency.
Demonstrated experience with quantitative research and policy/program analysis.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MPA, MPP, MBA or similar) is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a trusted advisor to the City Council by synthesizing complex financial, operational, and legislative data into actionable insights.
Provides objective, evidence-based recommendations that promote fiscal transparency, accountability, and alignment with citywide strategic priorities and long-term financial goals.
Leads research and analysis of operating and capital budget proposals to evaluate the necessity and impact of expenditures, personnel changes, and funding requests on service delivery, fiscal sustainability, and policy objectives.
Analyzes proposed legislation, ordinances, and policy initiatives to identify comparative benchmark examples and assess potential fiscal impact and alignment with the City’s budget.
Prepares fiscal notes, funding scenarios, and cost-benefit analysis to inform policy making.
Serves as a fiscal advisor during Council deliberations and the legislative budget process, providing real-time guidance on budget items and financial implications.
Applies forecasting models, economic data, and service trends to support fiscal policymaking, planning, and resource prioritization.
Connect financial decisions to service outcomes by designing and applying performance indicators that track program and operational efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
Conducts research and analysis on issues affecting service capacity, quality, and productivity.
Assesses the cost-effectiveness of existing programs, identifies opportunities for innovation, and supports continuous improvement through process reviews and implementation of best practices.
Facilitate collaboration across policy, finance, and operations teams to support integrated planning and performance improvement.
Works with internal stake holders to align goals, share data, and coordinate efforts that advance strategic initiatives and citywide innovation.
Monitors the execution of adopted budgets and evaluates departmental adherence to fiscal and programmatic goals.
Tracks contingency funds, fund balance use, and budget amendments throughout the year to ensure fiscal integrity and transparency.
Evaluates budget proposals and policies through an equity lens, reviewing departments’ equity impact analysis to ensure resource allocations advance equitable outcomes and reflect the City’s commitment to inclusive service delivery.