FINANCE DIRECTOR

The City of Waukee, Iowa (population 31,823) is seeking candidates for the position of finance director. The current finance director is retiring after serving twenty-five (25) years with the city. Waukee is located in Dallas County, Iowa, and is part of the  Des Moines – West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. Waukee is one of the fastest growing cities in the state. Located in central Iowa, adjacent to Des Moines, and several other suburban cities, citizens enjoy convenient access to a large variety of cultural events, dining, retail, recreation, sporting, employment, educational and entertainment opportunities. This is an exceptional opportunity for the right person.

For additional information about the City of Waukee please visit:  https://www.waukee.org/

To see the full job description:  Finance Director | Job Details tab | Career Pages

Learn more from the recruitment brochure:  City-of-Waukee-Finance-Director-Description-for-2025

To apply, send cover letter, resume, and salary history by 4:00 p.m. on September 8, 2025 to:

Jeff Cayler

Cayler Consulting, LLC

jeff.cayler@gmail.com

(712) 830-3794

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

            (Order of Essential Functions does not indicate importance of functions.)

1. Leads and directs the finance department staff through selection, orientation, training, performance management and discipline according to standard operating procedures and City policy.
2. Directs activities of the finance department including responsibilities of budgeting, central accounting system, revenue collection, charges and levies, utility billing and collections, debt issuance management, cash and investment management, special assessment records, risk management, and payroll administration.
3. Responds to requests from other City departments for information, analysis and assistance, providing advice and guidance as requested.
4. Develops and administers accounting guidelines and information for budget preparation by preparing budget worksheets and analyzing and reviewing department requests with the City Administrator and other administrative staff; prepares and presents the formal budget proposal; and prepares final budget for adoption by the City Council  
5. Coordinates the issuance of bond indebtedness and assists the financial management firm to develop debt modeling, bond rating presentations and ensure compliance with debt policies, bond covenants, post issuance compliance and federal restrictions.
6. Develops and executes a strategy for the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF), including management of TIF debt, financial incentives, rebate programs, state certifications and annual reporting requirements.
7. Manages the City’s cash and investments, including cash flow analysis, banking operations, investment of funds and merchant card services.
8. Oversees the reconciliation of bank statements for all City investments and certifies the balance of cash and investments of each fund. Generates various monthly reports, including financial statements and Treasurer’s report.
9. Monitors fixed asset inventories to ensure sufficient internal controls for protection of the City’s assets.
10. Oversees preparation of required state and federal reports and generates reports and analyses for developing and implementing policies that assist elected officials and staff in decision-making.
11. Manages the annual financial audit and audits of compliance issues for federal, state and local laws and
12. Performs other duties or assumes other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

1. Take action in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a systematic approach to decision making; identify the important dimensions of a problem, determine potential causes, obtain relevant information and specify alternate solutions that result in effectiveness.
2. Actively support all efforts to increase cooperation, communication and collaboration between and among co-workers, departments, City officials, other jurisdictions, the business community and the general public.
3. Train, motivate and monitor the effective work of staff.
4. Safeguard confidential information and use it or disclose it only as expressly authorized or specifically required in the course of performing specific job duties.
5. Contribute to overall City effectiveness by providing critical staff support to task forces and by participating, as necessary, in assisting all other teams.
6. Attentive to the City’s standards for customer service, accuracy, quality, efficiency and all City policies and procedures ensuring that all work performed and all staff members meet those standards while exhibiting consistent treatment of all staff.
7. Excellent knowledge of current municipal, state and federal codes, laws and ordinances as related to finance and generally accepted accounting principles.
8. Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office as well as considerable experience and ability to adapt to computerized accounting systems.
9. Ability to read, analyze and clearly interpret professional publications, technical manuals and complex regulations and to communicate these in understandable terms. 
10. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of directors, staff, colleagues, elected officials and the general public in a friendly tactful manner.
11. Able to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, financial management or closely related field. Master’s preferred

Experience/Qualifications:

Five (5) years of work experience in financial management. Public sector experience preferred

Five (5) years supervisory/leadership experience with increasing responsibility in a related field

Advanced accounting certificate including CPA and/or CPFO preferred

Access to transportation with insurance at required state levels to conduct business throughout the assigned area

To apply, send cover letter, resume, and salary history by 4:00 p.m. on September 8, 2025 to:

Jeff Cayler

Cayler Consulting, LLC

jeff.cayler@gmail.com

(712) 830-3794

It is the policy of the City of Waukee to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, and to recruit, hire, train, promote and compensate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

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• City of Waukee

• 515-978-7908