City of Glendale
THE OPPORTUNITY
Glendale, strategically positioned among Los Angeles, Hollywood, Burbank, and Pasadena, stands as the fourth-largest city in Los Angeles County. This thriving, diverse community seeks an approachable leader to spearhead its finance department. As Director of Finance, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the fiscal future of a dynamic city. This role offers a platform for collaborative leadership in municipal finance, making it an ideal choice for ambitious professionals looking to make an impact in local government.
ABOUT GLENDALE
The City of Glendale spans about 30.6 square miles with a current population of about 203,054. The City is conveniently located near major freeways, providing easy access to business, recreational, and other locations throughout Southern California. Glendale is proud of its big city amenities complemented by its small-town feel. Given the City’s consistent ranking as one of the 10 safest cities in the country, its popularity as an excellent place to live, work, and explore is no surprise.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Glendale is a charter city governed by a City Council/City Manager form of government. Five Councilmembers are elected at-large and serve 4-year staggered terms. Each year, the Council selects one member to serve as Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Clerk and City Treasurer, while the City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney. Glendale is a full-service municipality with its own Police, Fire, and Water & Power Departments. The FY 2024-2025 adopted budget totals $1.2 billion across all funds, and the General Fund budget is $325.7 million.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Finance Department provides a key role in every financial transaction of the City. Responsibilities include budget and revenue, purchasing, payroll, accounting, billing and collection, financial applications, and accounts payable. The Department is considered a central support department providing fiscal oversight and control to other City Departments and related agencies. The Finance Department is staffed with 36 full-time employees across the following sections: Accounting, Accounts Payable, Billing & Collection, Budget, Financial Applications, Payroll and Purchasing.
THE POSITION
Reporting directly to the City Manager, this executive position performs the professional and administrative functions of planning, directing, managing and coordinating the activities of the Finance Department, including centralized financial services, financial information systems, reporting, budget development and management, debt management, and policy development and recommendations. Key responsibilities include ensuring finance services are provided with exceptional customer service and the highest level of ethical standards; performing long range financial planning functions including projection of revenues and expenditures; collaborating with the City Treasurer in the review of the City’s investment portfolio, debt issuance and pension funding; supervising the preparation of the preliminary and final budget; reviewing the cost of services analysis performed by Glendale Water & Power, Public Works, and other departments; and participating in labor contract negotiations, providing sound financial advice and direct costing of contract proposals.
The ideal candidate will be an authentic and accessible leader who is highly communicative inside and outside of the organization; an employee-focused leader who will seek to help others to be successful in the Finance Department and across the entire organization; have finance experience, gained in large and complex public agencies, and specific experience related to cost allocation models, revenue generation, and debt instruments; and with its own electric utility, the next Director should be fluent in rate setting and other issues unique to utilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
A combination of education and experience that demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered qualifying for this position. The following is a typical way to qualify:
Education: A Bachelor’s Degree with a specialization in accounting, business, or a closely related field. A Master’s Degree in a related field is highly desirable.
Experience: Eight years of progressive municipal finance experience, including at least three years in a management role involving policymaking and supervision of both management and professional staff. Experience in Long Range Financial Planning is desirable.
Licensure: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Administrator (CPFA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) is desirable.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The City of Glendale provides a competitive compensation and benefits package. The salary for this role is up to $244,992, with specific placement within this range dependent on qualifications and experience. Key elements of the City’s benefits program include CalPERS retirement with 2.0% @ 55 and a 7% contribution for Classic PERS member employees and 2.0% @ 62 with a 7.5% contribution for new PERS members, plus 1.75% of the employer’s contribution for Classic and 1.50% for PEPRA.
For additional benefit information (including insurance, leave, relocation, 9/80 schedule, and deferred compensation), interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé online no later than Monday, February 17, 2025, at:
https://www.mosaicpublic.com/careers
This recruitment will be handled with strict confidentiality. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.com |(916) 550-4100
Bryan Noblett |bryan@mosaicpublic.com |(916) 550-4100