19-33 Finance Director

Position Summary

The Finance Director leads the Finance Division of Harlingen Waterworks System (HWWS), performing a variety of technical, supervisory, and monitoring functions. The Finance Director oversees operations of the Finance, Customer Service, and Purchasing departments including: accounts payable and receivable, payroll, cash and investment management, debt management, budgeting, financial reporting, asset accounting, purchasing and contracting, warehousing, utility billing, meter reading and maintenance, and customer service. The Finance Director reports to the General Manager and is evaluated according to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the departments in the Division.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consistently holds self to the highest ethical standards and motivates subordinates to do the same.
• Directs and coordinates the activities of the Division with other internal departments and external agencies in a manner that delivers a high level of customer service and in accordance with broad policies prescribed by the General Manager.
• Ensures compliance of the Division’s operations and reporting with internal policy, local codes and ordinances, state and federal laws and regulations, and industry best practices. Proactively maintains knowledge of existing and forthcoming codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Serves as the organization’s chief financial officer; attends and presents financial reports at regular and special Board Meetings; provides professional advice and gives presentations to the HWWS Board and other City officials as needed.
• Performs fiscal functions for the Division and HWWS as a whole:
  • Establishes and maintains fiscal controls and monitors expenditures to ensure effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time;
  • Monitors revenues and oversees the collection of payments and fees;
  • Manages HWWS’s investment portfolio with support from investment advisory consultant;
  • Coordinates revenue bond sales and manages debt;
  • Prepares HWWS’s annual budget and assists other directors with departmental budgeting;
  • Produces both a current and a long-term financial forecast to evaluate the effect of current decisions on long-term financial stability.
• Ensures management and financial information is reliable and properly recorded; prepares financial reports, statements, studies, and related information for fiscal monitoring, reporting, compliance, and decision-making purposes:
• Prepares HWWS’s annual financial report in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP);
• Develops and updates HWWS’s long-term financial plan including financial analyses;
• Directs the preparation of state and federal reports, including payroll tax reports;
• Prepares and distributes monthly financial summary reports to department managers and the General Manager;
• Reviews and assists HWWS’s investment consultant in the preparation of quarterly investment reports;
• Prepares and coordinates compilation of documents for annual audit.
• Procures, develops contracts, and manages consultants and specialized financial service providers including external auditors, investment advisors, financial advisors, bond counsel, depository banks; acts as liaison with external auditor during the annual financial audit process.
• Designs, implements, and maintains effective internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. Designs and implements programs and controls to prevent and detect fraud, and takes appropriate steps to remedy fraud and noncompliance with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements.
• Directly manages the Finance Department’s operations including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, cash and investment management, debt management, budgeting, financial reporting, and asset accounting. Determines work procedures; plans, organizes, and schedules work and assignments. Develops, and enforces standard operating procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
• Oversees all operations of the Customer Service Department including meter reading and maintenance, billing, and customer service; supervises the department’s Director.

• Oversees all operations of the Purchasing Department including procurement of goods and services, contracting for professional and construction services, administration of contracts, and management of materials and warehouse; supervises the department’s Manager.
• Maintains HWWS’s central financial information system, ensuring the meticulous posting and reconciliation of ledgers and accounts; oversees maintenance of the Customer Service Department’s billing information system.
• Will lead the needs assessment, planning, procurement, processes design, and implementation of a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to effectively facilitate HWWS’s financial, budgeting, payroll, and billing processes; the ERP project is anticipated to be initiated in FY 2021 and completed within 18 months.
• Performs a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over direct reports:
  • Assigns duties, issues written and oral instruction, and motivates personnel;
  • Manages performance, examines work for accuracy and conformance to policies and procedures;
  • Develops personnel, assesses training needs and provides for training;
  • Delegates assignments of increasing responsibility as a means to develop employee capabilities and to maximize readiness for succession;
  • Takes disciplinary action as necessary.
• Fosters a positive work environment and resolves grievances among subordinates and co-workers; performs or assists subordinates in performing duties; adjusts errors and resolves complaints; exercises patience and diplomacy when interacting with others, especially situations susceptible to conflict.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and communicates appropriate operational information, official plans, policies, and procedures with other departments of HWWS and the City, elected and appointed officials, the general public, and external customers.
• Proactively assesses the effectiveness of existing policies specific to the Division and HWWS as a whole; recommends and develops new and revised finance-related policies, ordinances, and resolutions to address needs.
• Other duties as assigned.