Finance Director
Minimum Qualifications:
- 10 or more years of progressively responsible financial management experience
- Extensive experience with public sector finance, budgeting, and debt management
- Demonstrated success in leading professional teams and managing complex financial systems
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or NC Certified Local Government Finance Officer (NCCLGFO)
- Experience advising City Council or similar governing bodies.
- Proven record of implementing innovative financial strategies that enhance equity and community impact.
- Are you a financial leader who understands that public trust is earned through sound judgment and steady leadership?
- Are you known for integrity, precision in financial oversight, and the ability to guide complex decisions with clarity and confidence?
- Are you ready to lead a finance organization that safeguards a city’s financial strength while supporting thoughtful planning and long-term fiscal stability?
If so, the City of Greensboro is seeking a proven public sector finance executive to serve as Director of Finance (Chief Financial Officer), a cornerstone role within the City’s senior leadership team and chief steward of the City’s financial health. This position reflects Greensboro’s commitment to disciplined leadership and proven stewardship, calling for an experienced professional who can oversee financial operations, support informed decision-making, and maintain a strong, conservative approach to fiscal management in partnership with City leadership and staff.
About the Department and Position:
The City of Greensboro Finance Services Department has earned the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 50 consecutive years—a distinction that reflects exceptional technical rigor, transparency, and institutional discipline. As the City’s Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Finance leads the planning and direction of all financial affairs in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. The Director is responsible for preserving this legacy while advancing modern financial practices, maintaining strong regulatory compliance, and reinforcing trust with elected officials, employees, residents, and the financial community. The Director provides oversight across six divisions: Accounting, Collections, Treasury Management, Financial Reporting, Purchasing Service, Centralized Contracting, and Equipment Services (Equipment Services manages, maintains, and repairs the 1,8000-piece automotive and rolling stock fleet used by City Departments).
Working in close collaboration with the City Manager’s Office and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Director provides enterprise-wide financial leadership for a growing, AAA-rated city. The position also provides oversight of the Financial and Administrative Services Department, including General Activities with an annual budget of $5,640,000 and 46 full-time employees, and the Equipment Services Fund with an annual budget of $32,500,000 and 52 full-time employees. The Director develops debt strategies, manages capital financing and investment portfolios exceeding $500 million, and serves as the City’s financial representative with external advisors, auditors, and state agencies.
A defining feature of the position is leadership over Greensboro’s adopted Ten-Year Capital Improvements Plan, which projects $2.8 billion in capital needs over the next decade, including approximately $460 million in general obligation bond funding and $1 billion in revenue bond financing. The Director plays a pivotal role in securing this capital, guiding long-term borrowing strategies, and sustaining the City’s AAA general obligation bond ratings from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. The position also drives long-term financial planning to support Greensboro’s strategic initiatives, including the Road to 10,000 housing goal, infrastructure investments, and economic development efforts that foster equity and growth. The Finance Director serves as a cornerstone of Greensboro’s executive leadership structure and provides opportunities for broader public sector leadership, including potential pathways to Assistant City Manager or City Manager roles with influence over the City’s strategic and operational direction.
Key Position Priorities:
- Lead development and execution of the annual budget and capital improvement program while advancing major initiatives, including the upcoming fleet facility garage construction project.
- Deliver clear, data-driven financial insight to City Council and executive leadership, translating complex analysis into actionable policy and operational decisions.
- Safeguard the City’s financial strength through active management of the AAA bond rating, oversight of the debt program, and stewardship of more than $1 billion in outstanding bonded debt.
- Modernize and strengthen financial operations through investment portfolio oversight, implementation of electronic payment systems, and leadership within a GASB-compliant reporting environment, including asset management and preparation of the annual financial report.
- Build organizational capacity by leading and mentoring a high-performing team and fostering trusted relationships with internal partners, external advisors, rating agencies, and regulatory stakeholders.
The Successful Candidate:
- Demonstrates unquestioned integrity and earns trust through consistent, principled decision-making — especially in complex or high-visibility situations;
- Brings deep financial expertise and professional credibility, serving as a confident and knowledgeable resource to City Council and executive leadership;
- Communicates with clarity and sound judgment, translating complex financial issues into practical guidance and informed decision-making;
- Maintains precision and discipline in financial oversight while balancing long-term strategy with day-to-day operational realities;
- Builds respectful partnerships across departments, supporting collaboration and strengthening organizational alignment;
- Leads inclusively by directing, mentoring, and empowering a diverse, high-performing workforce while fostering collaboration, equity, and innovation;
- Upholds Greensboro’s values of being purpose-driven, people-centered, data-informed, resilient, and equitable in both leadership style and financial decision-making; and
- Demonstrates a deep commitment to public service and stewardship of public resources, prioritizing community impact over personal preference.