Assistant Director, Budgets and Financial Planning & Analysis

Assistant Director, Budgets And Financial Planning & Analysis

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. The Budgets and Financial Planning & Analysis Section is responsible for developing and managing the organization's operating and capital budgets, performing financial analysis, forecasting, and scenario planning, grant administration assistance and support, reporting on financial performance, developing and refining financial plans, policies, and procedures, and supporting effective financial management throughout the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and affiliated entities.

Under the general direction of the Section Director, the Assistant Director will lead a team of managers and analysts responsible for preparation and strategic planning and monitoring of operating and capital budgets for multiple legally distinct entities. The Assistant Director will assume a critical role in developing and maintaining budget and grant policies and procedures, modernizing the budget process, and performing complex financial analysis in support of effective financial and grants management of MTC, ABAG, and its affiliated entities.

The Assistant Director will collaborate closely with all Sections within MTC and funding partners. In conjunction with the Section Director, the Assistant Director leads and manages financial budgeting and planning activities, ensuring financial stability and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Lead development and management of operating and capital budgets, ensuring accuracy and alignment with agency priorities, strategic focus, vision, mission, and values.
• Monitor expenditures, identify variances, provide insight and recommendations, and work closely with section and project managers to address financial issues.
• Lead department budget review meetings.
• Conduct variance analysis, identify key performance drivers, and provide explanations, insight, and recommendations for budget deviations.
• Manage staff development, monitor performance, and manage deliverables and work plans.
• Lead development of staff memos and drafting of resolutions for board and committee approvals.
• In coordination with the Chief Financial Officer, budget staff, and internal and external stakeholders, lead development of policies and procedures related to budgeting and grant management, provide training to Sections and program staff, lead process improvement initiatives and contribute to change management activities.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with project and program managers and other Sections.
• Review and monitor grants, from grant application to project closeout, including grant compliance, reporting requirements, and financial management.
• Assist in the development of grant policies and procedures.
• Coordinate grant administration assistance and support activities with other Sections within MTC including financial reporting and operational accounting, Project and Grant Managers, federal, state, and local partners, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead development of financial models and forecast to inform short-term and long-term financial plans.
• Provide proactive financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making, resource allocation, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Lead process improvement initiatives seeking to enhance financial planning and analysis processes, streamline reporting, and automate routine tasks.
• Participate in system requirements gathering, implementation, testing, and user training activities related to budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in and outside of the MTC's enterprise planning management system.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends and make recommendations for financial optimization.
• Lead staff development, monitor performance, and manage deliverables and work plans.
• Develop and maintain the Section's work plan.
• Support implementation of MTC's Enterprise Resource Planning system.
• Assist with responding to federal, state, and local reviews and audits, as well as internal and external annual audits.
• Perform other job-related duties as needed or assigned by the Section Director or Section.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities :

Knowledge of : Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Advanced knowledge of principles and best practices of governmental fund accounting, budgeting, contract administration, and grant management. Federal and state grant rules and regulations and reporting requirements including OMB super Circular 2CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit requirements for Federal Awards). Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and analysis tools (e.g., Excel, database management, data visualization software). Function, capability, application and operation of cloud-based financial accounting and budgeting systems. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations. Principles and best practices of staff development and management. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Workday, or other similar applications.

Skills and Abilities : Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail. Exceptional quantitative and analytical abilities to interpret complex financial data. Proficiency in advanced Excel, financial analysis software, and Business Intelligence (BI) tools. Ability to use resources to identify problems, solve, act decisively, and show good judgement in decision making. Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information to stakeholders at various levels. Ability to motivate, manage, and train both direct reports and peers. Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Minimum Qualifications : An appropriate combination of education and experience that has provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is : Education : A Master's degree in accounting, finance, public or business administration, or a related field, including a minimum of 24 semester-hours in accounting. Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with their application. Experience : Five years of increasingly complex and diverse professional accounting work experience, two years of which having full supervisory responsibility for two or more major accounting functions, including the equivalent of two years as an Accounting Supervisor or Senior Financial Analyst for MTC.

Important Information

Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment or skills assessment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If selected for an interview or testing, and you require accommodation, please notify the Human Resources Department when confirming your interview or test.