Description

OVERVIEW

Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is seeking an Associate Director, Financial Planning & Analysis. This role provides strategic leadership to financial teams and oversees key budgeting, procurement, payroll, and reporting functions. The Associate Director manages the Bureau's annual budget development and analysis, prepares financial reports for senior leadership and grantors, and coordinates audit responses. The position also develops and implements financial policies, supports program performance evaluation, identifies operational efficiencies and revenue opportunities, and manages the financial components of grants and contracts.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

Salary Range: $112,295 -$138,050 / Yearly

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80% unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

ROLE SUMMARY

Lead entry-level managers and supervisors and provide strategic leadership. Perform complex and critical elements in the review of the Bureau/Department's budgetary requests and provide concise and timely information for presentation and review of the annual budget. Oversee staff and develop, implement, and monitor financial activities, including budgeting, procurement, and payroll. Prepare financial reports for leadership and grantors and coordinate audit responses. Formulate policies and procedures affecting financial control and management.

Coordinate programs ensuring performance measures and evaluation criteria are developed and implemented. Consult with leadership to evaluate financial and operational issues and identify opportunities for efficiencies and increased revenue. Oversee and manage financial aspects of grants and contracts.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES

• Lead and direct to ensure efficient performance of financial planning and analysis processes.
• Supervise staff on various financial aspects of the budget.
• Develop and manage the capital, operational, and grant budgets for the Bureau/Department.
• Direct the financial aspects of budgeting, payroll, purchases, contracts, inventories, and all other related financial transactions.
• Formulate and coordinate policies and procedures affecting financial control and management. Develop revenue, expenditure, cost accounting, and statistical reports.
• Advise Bureaus/Departments in the design of specific plans of action and timelines to ensure financial programs are managed within time available, while all goals/contractual obligations are met or exceeded.
• Coordinate extensively with senior leadership in the annual budget formation each fiscal year. Analyze the annual budget requests and prepare preliminary budgets.
• Oversee the installation, use, and application of financial program software and systems.
• Monitor achievement of program objectives, budget expenditures, and program compliance.
• Perform other general administrative duties such as acting as a liaison to other departments, as required.

Required for all jobs:

Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work in a highly confidential environment, receiving clients and dealing with public and media inquiries.
• Ability to work cooperatively with supervisory and professional personnel in the coordination or delivery of services.
• Ability to make sound decisions and carry out programs affecting one's own work and the work of others in a changing work environment.
• Ability to research programs and aid in the development policies as it relates to media response.
• Good communication skills: ability to exercise diplomacy, gather information from others and make inquiries; ability to convey information and explain or discuss office policy and procedure with others in person or by telephone.
• Good attention to detail; ability to proof, verify and edit complex data, transcribe, and cross reference data from personal computer and documents. Ability to follow-up in a thorough and timely manner relative to unresolved business.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of office practices and procedures. Accurate judgment in making decisions, reorganizing established precedents and in meeting new problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
• Four (4) years in accounting, finance, auditing, or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing or Business Administration.
• Six (6) or more years in accounting, finance, or auditing.
• Four (4) years of prior supervisory or managerial work experience.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order, and the Cook County Personnel this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.