Director of Finance

The City of Naperville offers one of the premier municipal finance leadership opportunities in the Midwest. Serving more than 150,000 residents, the Director of Finance leads a sophisticated financial operation with a combined operating and capital budget approaching $700 million. The position oversees budgeting, financial planning, treasury and investments, debt administration, procurement, revenue administration, financial reporting, and the finances of the City's municipally owned electric and water utility. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Director aligns financial strategy with organizational priorities to support infrastructure investment, economic vitality, operational excellence, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

A key opportunity for the next Director will be guiding the financial future of Illinois' largest municipally owned electric utilities as it addresses evolving energy markets, infrastructure modernization, grid resiliency, sustainability initiatives, and future power supply decisions. Backed by more than 30 years of top-tier credit ratings and a national reputation for sound financial stewardship, Naperville offers an accomplished public finance leader the opportunity to shape the future of one of the nation's premier communities while leading a high-performing finance team committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in public service.

The hiring range for this position is $189,847.99 - $208,832.79 per year, commensurate with credentials and experience. The Pay Grade for this position is E295. For more information click here. (Download PDF reader)

Duties

The Finance Department for the City of Naperville is comprised of approximately 40 employees across five divisions:
 

• Budget and Financial Planning – annual budget development, long-range financial planning, revenue analysis, and payroll
• Accounting and Financial Reporting – accounting operations, financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, and compliance
• Utility Billing and Customer Service – utility billing, customer service, payment processing, and collections
• Procurement – purchasing, contract administration, competitive bidding, and vendor management
• Technology and Business Operations – financial systems, project management, business process improvement, and operational support

 The Director:

• Develop and implement long-term financial strategies that preserve the City's financial strength while supporting evolving community priorities. 
• Serve as the principal financial advisor to the City Manager, City Council, executive leadership, and other stakeholders by communicating complex financial information, evaluating policy alternatives, and presenting strategic recommendations that support informed decision-making.
• Recommend innovative financial solutions that balance service expectations and infrastructure needs with available financial resources. 
• Safeguard the City's financial integrity through effective governance, internal controls, risk management, and transparent reporting.
• Lead development and implementation of financial policies that support responsible fiscal management and organizational flexibility.
• Promote innovation through technology, process improvement, and modernization of financial operations. 
• Identify emerging financial trends and proactively recommend strategies to address opportunities and risks.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for the City's annual operating budget, multi-year financial planning, and capital improvement program, ensuring financial resources are aligned with the City's strategic priorities and long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Establish and oversee the City's treasury, cash management, and investment strategies, ensuring prudent stewardship of public funds, appropriate liquidity, and compliance with investment policies.
• Direct the development and administration of the City's property tax levy and related ordinances, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and alignment with the City's long-term financial objectives.
• Serve as the statutory City Treasurer and fulfill all legal responsibilities associated with that office; serve as Treasurer for the Naperville Public Library and the Police and Fire Pension Boards and may serve as a Pension Trustee when appointed.
• Provide executive oversight for the integrity of the City's financial reporting systems, including the preparation of financial statements, account reconciliations, and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
• Direct the City's debt management program, including the development and execution of financing strategies, oversight of debt issuance, and coordination with financial advisors, bond counsel, and rating agencies to maintain the City's strong credit profile and optimize access to capital markets.
• Oversee the organization’s procurement strategy, policies, and governance practices to promote transparency, competition, fiscal responsibility, and operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide strategic oversight of the City's revenue management functions, including utility billing, miscellaneous revenues, and accounts receivable operations, ensuring the timely, accurate, and efficient collection of revenues that support City services.
• Provide executive leadership to the Finance Department by establishing organizational priorities, developing future leaders, fostering employee engagement and accountability, and ensuring the department is positioned to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
• Represent the City and the Finance Department in relationships with governmental agencies, financial institutions, auditors, professional organizations, community partners, and the public, advancing the City's financial interests and maintaining public confidence.
• Attend and participate in professional meetings; and provide staff support and/or serve as a liaison to various boards and commissions.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related field. 
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government or a similarly complex organization.

• Valid State of Illinois Driver’s License. 

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, or related field. 
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or other relevant professional certifications

Additional Information

The City of Naperville, Illinois is a dynamic community of 153,000 residents, conveniently located 28 miles west of Chicago.  Various publications have named Naperville as one of the best cities in the United States in which to live.  The City has gained national recognition for our family-friendly environment, excellent schools and library system, low crime rate, and vibrant downtown area.  It’s also a great place to work!  Our municipal government employs over 900 dedicated individuals in a wide range of job categories and provides a collaborative working environment, a forward-looking leadership team, and a competitive benefits package.

Click here (Download PDF reader) to learn more about the benefits offered by the City of Naperville.

Applications should be completed thoroughly, and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but should be attached to the application.  Include all requested education, experience, attachments, and other information when applying. Incomplete applications are subject to rejection. Notifications to applicants will be sent electronically to the email address provided in the application.

THE CITY OF NAPERVILLE IS AN E. O. E.

The City of Naperville complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals needing accommodation in the recruitment process should notify Human Resources in advance at (630) 305-7066.