Senior Finance Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Position Summary

The Finance team is a growing unit within the Department of Commerce that leads all financial management, accounting, and procurement activity. The Finance Manager will manage the day-to-day fiscal operations between the department and public, quasi-public, and non-profit agencies to support

economic growth in Philadelphia. Responsibilities will include payment processing, financial planning and analysis, contract management, reconciliation of all invoices and contracts, and financial and operational audits.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in financial accounting and reporting, utilizing technology to manage large operating budgets, and is able to creatively communicate those processes to general audiences to ensure that information and decisions are clearly conveyed, plus the savvy to work in a political environment and navigating a large bureaucracy is essential.

Essential Functions

1. Monitor the day-to-day financial activity between the department and public, quasi-public and non-profit agencies.
2. Prepare quarterly and annual financial reports, attend Citywide fiscal and contracting meetings, and participate in City Council hearings, as needed.
3. Oversee all contract activity for strategic initiatives which includes creating an inventory of all agreements, review and approve expenditures, and reconciling account balances in QuickBase.
4. Oversee the fiscal/ financial aspects of contracts   generated across Commerce and tracks process
5. Serve as the liaison between the department and public, quasi-public and non-profit agencies.
6. Assist in payment processing and monthly reconciliation of all invoices and contracts as needed.
7. Participate in the City of Philadelphia's annual budget process for the Commerce Department, including analysis, forecasting and development of departmental operating budget requests in alignment with the Mayor’s priorities and needs of the department.
8. Other responsibilities may include administrative and operational functions, specifically responding to audits, Right-To-Know, and other information requests on tight deadlines.
9. Coordinate and facilitate regularly scheduled meetings with internal and external partners, developing detailed agendas to ensure clarity and productivity.
10. Generate ad hoc reports upon request for Director and Executive level employees.
11. Develop and conduct comprehensive invoice training for new and existing team members.
12. Manage and coordinate responses to audit requests in a timely and efficient manner.
13. Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and primary customer service point of contact for the finance team, supporting both internal and external stakeholders.
14. Resolve complex payment issues promptly and efficiently.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Organized: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, short timelines, rework a project approach based on unforeseen challenges, work well under pressure, and set/meet reasonable deadlines.
• Action-oriented: Ability to see opportunities, navigate barriers, be self-directed, and problem solve solutions independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communicator: Ability to explain financial concepts to general audiences, explain the logic behind financial processes, write and speak clearly, and cultivate effective and creative communication among team members.
• Rigorous: Driven by thoughtful, quality, and detail-oriented processes, project output, and client/team interactions.
• Resilient: Ability to have a sense of humor, learn from mistakes, and/or return to work after experiencing a setback.
• Technical Proficiency: Leverage technical tools such as OPAL, QuickBase, and Microsoft Office 365 to drive efficiency, with advanced capabilities in data management (Excel) and cross-functional collaboration (SharePoint, Teams)
• Integrity and Ethical Conduct.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Economics or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Minimum of three years of progressive financial or accounting management experience.
• Experience in financial accounting and reporting, budget forecasting, economic development, contracts, and data management.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and references.

Salary Range: $73,424 - $80,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

About the Company

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The mission of the Department of Commerce is to ensure that Philadelphia is a globally competitive city to which employers flock, entrepreneurs thrive and innovation abounds; to recruit and retain a diverse set of businesses; to foster economic opportunities for all Philadelphians in all neighborhoods, and to partner with workforce development programs and local businesses on talent development ensuring that all Philadelphians can find and retain living-wage jobs. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.phila.gov/commerce.