Statement of Duties

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Community Engagement (CCE), the CCE Finance Manager is part of a collaborative, motivated team working daily to inform and engage the Somerville community and connect residents to civic opportunities and services. The Finance Manager is responsible for the overall financial management of the department, which includes four divisions/budgets: Core Communications, the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Office of Constituent Services, and the CityTV Revolving Fund for Educational and Government Access Television. Duties include but are not limited to preparation and implementation of the four annual budgets in collaboration with the Director and Division Directors, as well as all management and oversight for accounts payable and receivable across the department. The Finance Manager will also research large purchases; coordinate, develop, implement, and oversee contracts including the City’s Cable Franchise Agreements; serve as grant manager for the departments including assisting with ARPA and FEMA requests and reporting functions; and will assist the Director in supervising and providing backup support for the Communications Principal Clerk, who is responsible for payroll, invoicing, bill payment, and hiring paperwork as well as other administrative tasks. This is a dynamic, multi-faceted department, and the Financial Analyst also performs all similar or related duties as they arise as directed by the Communications Director.

This is a permanent full-time position.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Overseeing the financial work of the department.

• Co-supervising the Principal Clerk.

• Implementing and operating efficient, timely, and transparent financial processes for the department's budget.

• Applying expert-level knowledge of municipal finance operations and laws.

• Conducting administrative responsibilities for the department.

• Creating effective and concise presentations of financial analysis and data.

• Preparing and maintaining the departmental budgets in collaboration with all division directors.

• Functioning as Grant Manager.

• Providing training and support to staff on related functions.

• Overseeing the day-to-day financial reporting, accounts payable and receivables.

• Researching large purchases and troubleshooting purchase issues.

• Developing contract RFPs and contract review processes and organizing and tracking contract compliance and usage.

• Overseeing payroll and attendance for accuracy and completion.

• Reviewing monthly budget reports and processing payments.

• Liaising between departments, including but not limited to the Finance and Auditing Department, the Purchasing Department, the Payroll Department, and others.

• Assisting staff in the performance of their duties as necessary.

• Attending staff and annual City Council budget meetings.

• Data gathering, monitoring, and evaluation.

• Maintaining and creating optimal record keeping.

• Developing financial analysis.

• Monitoring delivery, financial performance, and the completion of projects.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Master’s degree preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of budgetary principles, financial management, invoicing, bill processing, grants management, contracting, vendor management, and payroll management. Understanding and experience in ensuring the proper financial operation of a complex organization with multiple budgets, contracts, and external vendors. Knowledge of how to prepare, interpret, and analyze financial statements, invoices, contracts, and grant requirements. Knowledge of state procurement laws and municipal operations, or proven ability to acquire such knowledge. Data management and analysis practices and techniques.

Abilities: Work independently; manage multiple tasks efficiently, prioritize, and balance short- and long-term responsibilities; carry out assignments to completion in an efficient and accurate manner; communicate and collaborate with executive-level individuals; communicate clearly and often both verbally and in writing; learn new concepts quickly; collaborate; be self-motivated and organized; handle problems and emergencies; maintain confidential information; operate a computer; and maintain, manage, and organize records.

Skills: Proficient in operating personal computers and applicable word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical analysis applications, specifically MS Excel or other data analysis and visualization tools, such as Office365 apps and others; proficient written and oral communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills; excellent data analysis, database development and management, problem solving. Experience with Office365, Munis, and MinuteTraq are preferred but not required.

Work EnvironmentThe work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required occasionally (mainly during budget season) to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills

Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.)

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills

Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Hours: Full-Time

Salary: $82,806.06 annualized, plus benefits 

Union: Non-Union

FLSA: Exempt

Date Posted: October 9th, 2024

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Please Note: The below details do not apply to any Mayor Student Jobs programs OR youth workers with the city.

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance

• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract

• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City

• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna

• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)

• Long term disability through Sun Life

• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual

• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies

• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors

• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health

• Annual cancer screening & wellness release

• Somerville Retirement Pension System

• Tuition reimbursement

• MBTA pass program

• FREE Blue Bikes membership

• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.

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