Finance Manager

Join a library system engaged in community-driven services to deliver an innovative and exciting future to residents of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Tacoma Public Library (TPL) serves over 200,000 residents in Tacoma. The Finance Manager is the Library's Chief Financial Officer and reports to the Library Director. The Finance Manager is a member of the Senior Leadership team and plays a key role in system-wide strategic planning, coordinating operating activities, and aligning services to maximize resources and enhance performance throughout the organization.

The Finance Manager's responsibilities cover budgeting, finance, interagency agreements, strategic analysis, facilities management, and business operations. This role supervises three direct reports: Account Technician, Senior Account Technician, and Facilities Manager with an overall team of nine FTE's. They oversee all financial activities, acting as the Library's primary liaison with the City's Office of Management and Budget. They also work with the City's Finance Department and City Attorney's office on contractual and operational matters.

At Tacoma Public Library, our mission is to empower our community by bringing people together to discover, connect, create, learn, and thrive. We are radically welcoming: a trusted community hub where all people can find joy, compassion, and inspiration. We welcome applicants of all abilities.

The ideal candidate is passionate about providing excellent customer service, developing strong community relationships, working collaboratively with others, and is committed to racial equity and social justice to serve to Tacoma's diverse communities. Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all Tacoma Public Library employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices.

Job Responsibilities:
Finance

• Ensures compliance with city, state, and federal legal requirements for financial and business operations, including oversight of audits by city or state auditors
• Appraises the organization's financial position and issues financial and operating reports to the Library Director and Library Board of Trustees
• Leads the Library's annual and biennial budget process, working with the City Manager's Office, City Office of Management and Budget, and City Council to secure General Fund support for programs and services
• Develops an annual Operations Plan, allocating operating and capital budgets, personnel, and identifying revenue sources (the Library's adopted biennial budget for 2023-2024 was $35,515,800)
• Directs and oversees budgeting, audit, tax, and accounting functions, including monitoring contract, capital, and operating funds usage
• Establishes business relationships with key City of Tacoma Finance and executive leadership and Library Foundation
• Manages Library trusts and other assets, ensuring efficient and proper fund utilization
• Identifies fiscal requirements for grants and contracts, and ensures compliance with fiscal and programmatic reporting
• Supervises contract monitoring, conducting financial and operational analysis to support strategic priorities and service development

Operations

• Oversees the development and implementation of operating and contracting policies and procedures and related processes with the City Attorney's Office and City contracting services
• Oversees the Library's building and grounds maintenance, the capital improvement program, custodial services, parking garage and space/retail leases
• Oversees the Library's risk management in conjunction with the City's Risk Management Office and City Attorney's office
• Assists with negotiations and administration of lease and vendor agreements and conducts competitive vendor selection processes

Administration

• Participates on the Library's Senior Management and Leadership teams to provide direction and leadership on the strategic direction, policy review, and administrative and budget oversight for the Library
• Participates as a spokesperson and Library representative as assigned with other members of the Senior Management Team

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, accounting, or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*
6 years of accounting, payroll, budgeting and procurement experience including 1 year prior at senior, lead and/or supervisory level.

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Knowledge & Skills:

• Financial Acumen & Decision Making:
  • Use key financial indicators for informed decision-making.
  • Gather, analyze data, and make timely decisions advancing goals.
  • Knowledgeable about financial systems, budgeting, fiscal policy, and decision-making processes.
  • Experience with change management, supporting employee involvement, negotiation, persuasion and mediation skills.
  • Innovative, analytic, collaborative, self-directed, and committed to intellectual freedom.
• Honesty, Integrity, and Communication:
  • Gain trust through consistent honesty, integrity, and respectful treatment.
  • Clear and effective communication, adapting to diverse needs and encouraging open expression.
• Resourcefulness & Problem Solving:
  • Acquire and deploy resources effectively for optimal outcomes.
  • Problem-solving, define issues, identify root causes, evaluate options, and deliver solutions.
• Organization & Work Direction:
  • Demonstrate high level organizational skills, align work with priorities, and exercise sound project management.
  • Effective work direction, provide clear guidance, monitor progress, and offer support.
  • Lead effectively, inspire staff, promote teamwork, and exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Additional Skills & Experience:
  • Exceptional written and oral communication, including public presentations.
  • Knowledge of public libraries and belief in their essential role within communities.