Description

Austin Energy Finance Director is a senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing diverse financial functions, guiding long range financial strategy, and communicating complex financial concepts to executive leadership and external oversight bodies. Candidates should be comfortable working in organizations that provide essential public services, where transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance are key drivers of financial decision making.

Purpose

Under minimal direction, this position is responsible for the management and operations of Austin Energy's (AE) financial services division including the following functions: accounting, financial reporting, rates (regulatory and non-regulatory services), budget/financial forecasting, CIS /billing support, payments, inventory accounting, financial management, purchasing, and contract administration.

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Plans, organizes, directs, and controls activities of AE's financial services division. 
• Provides financial advice to AE's executive team. Prepares, reviews, and recommends rates and prices for AE's services. Conducts technical financial analysis to support recommendations on rates. 
• Reviews processes and procedures regarding regulatory changes within the electric utility industry. 
• Provides expert accounting testimony in utility rate proceedings. 
• Analyzes employee and business needs and develops short- and long-range strategies, goals, and action plans to meet those needs. 
• Develops and monitors the assigned O&M and CIP budgets. Recommends major purchases and expenditures. 
• Investigates and provides financial information to City Council, citizens, management, and staff. 
• Develops, prepares, reviews, and presents technical financial information in oral and written communication before the City Council, governmental and regulatory agencies, boards, and commissions.  Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal laws and City ordinances.
  Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
  Knowledge of budgeting methods and systems.
  Knowledge of financial accounting, reporting, and management.
  Knowledge of financial forecasting methods.
  Knowledge of electric utility industry financial and operational trends.
  Knowledge of the concepts of equity, including experience in applying equity frameworks to established laws, ordinances, and long-standing practices.
  Skill in oral and written communications.
  Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting applicable research data.
  Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.
  Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities or populations to build constructive and effective relationships.
  Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  Ability to train others.
  Ability to analyze and resolve irregular events.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Active CPA License in the State of Texas, or the ability to obtain a Texas CPA license within 12 months of employment. 
• Experience leading professional finance teams within a municipally-owned utility or similar entity.   
• Experience communicating and presenting complex financial concepts and strategies to executive leadership, governing bodies, and other external stakeholders. 
• Experience managing regulatory accounting and/or financial reporting teams, including internal control framework development. 
• Experience in any of the following: cost of service modeling, long-term financial forecasts, and/or capital funding strategies. 

To learn more about Austin Energy and this role , please contact Diane Kerlin directly before applying. You can schedule  a 1:1, reference the job title and forward your request to [email protected]

All applicants must apply directly with the City of Austin, the requisition JR# is JR104325.

Career Website:  https://www.austintexas.gov/services/apply-city-job

To Apply follow the link: 

https://austintexas.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/COA_Careers/details/Austin-Energy-Finance-Director_JR104325-1/apply?q=JR104325

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job, plus seven (7) years of experience in a field related to the job, including at least two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-managerial/executive experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
Licenses and Certifications Required: None.

Notes to Candidate:

Salary is commensurate with experience and the approved salary range.

Schedule: Monday - Friday / 40 hours per week / telework options available.

Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin Texas 78723.

Employment Application:

The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. 
Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
Responses to supplemental questions regarding experience should also be clearly documented in the ‘Experience’ section of the main application.
Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
To ensure a thorough evaluation of your qualifications, please answer all applicable questions in the questionnaire section completely. Incomplete, brief, or one-line responses may not provide enough detail and could impact your eligibility to move forward in the selection process.
Current City of Austin employees must submit their application through ‘Job Hubs’ in Workday to be considered.

If you are selected as a top candidate:   Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution
This position may require a criminal background investigation.
Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Assessments:  Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

Fair Labor Standards Act:

This position is considered FLSA Exempt. Exempt employees are salaried and, except as provided, are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.