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Job Description
Description
Are you an experienced Public-Sector Accounting or Finance professional with solid Problem-Solving and Strategic Thinking skill sets?
Are you a bit of a nerd when it comes to finance technology and do you thrive with special projects?
Do you possess the public speaking skills and calm demeanor to present to elected-officials and upper leadership?
Can you inspire and motivate our top-notch budget team and client department manager
collaboration for continuous improvement and financial solutions?
Would you like to work for an organization that offers every other Friday off and a partial-remote work schedule?
We are seeking a Budget Manager to join our skilled team. Apply today!
The City's Administrative Services Department (ASD) is recruiting a tech-savvy budget strategist to serve as a working manager of 2-4 Senior Management Analysts in the reporting and development of the citywide budgets. As a full-service Charter City with a Council-Manager form of government, Palo Alto has a reputation for being progressive and innovative while maintaining high-caliber financial reporting of its citywide operating budget of $1.0 billion and capital budget of $316 million for fiscal year 2026.
This leadership role requires a combination of the following key skills:
1) Deep knowledge of municipal finance, revenue streams, budget process and allocation practices,
and the strategies utilized to maximize City services within the constraints of budget.
2) Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving to bring municipal innovation to Palo Alto's citizens.
3) Customer Service and Collaboration skills to support and partner interdepartmentally to bring about on-time
and mutually advantageous outcomes.
4) Well-honed technology acumen to work with the City's complex SAP platform, as well as Questica
and other specialized financial programs without a lengthy introduction period.
5) Strong Project Management skills to deliver on commitments amidst competing priorities and reliance
on collaborating departments.
6) Team Leadership experience to coalesce, mentor and build tenure within the budget division.
Are You Who We're Looking For?
The Ideal Candidate will be an experienced public-sector finance or accounting professional with:- 5+ years of budget preparation experience involving increasing responsibility in accounting and financial work.
- A minimum of 3 years in a management or supervisory role of a high-performing team.
- Experience with evaluation, selection and implementation of financial software and overall adept at learning new technology. SAP and Questica experience a plus.
- Master's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Public Administration.
- Public sector budget experience that includes the development and implementation of fiscal policy and budgetary goals alongside the Capital Improvement Program.
- Proven track record in preparing financial analysis of sources & uses, service pricing and labor negotiations.
- Accomplished in Master Budget and Long Range Financial Forecast preparation.
- Top-tier presentation and communication skills, and experience collaborating with stakeholders to provide on-time deliverables.
Why Palo Alto?
The City of Palo Alto is a progressive, cutting-edge city that innovates in all areas of civic service and technology. Palo Alto is looking for a Budget Manager to bring that same level of innovation and service to the city's budget function. This role should exemplify our community's values by focusing on innovation and delivering high-quality service while maintaining the financial rigor necessary to strategically deliver services to citizens with the highest value and accountability. The City's diverse business activities - including managing a full suite of utility services, an airport, and typical City services such as public safety - offer employees exposure to a wide range of professional development opportunities. This position provides the chance to explore new technical areas, work on innovative cases within your field, present to senior management and Council members, and learn from leaders across the organization.
You can find the City of Palo Alto's Annual Budget here.
Benefits & Work Environment:- Hybrid Work Location - Ability to work remotely and onsite (current policy allows for 2 days/week remote and 3 days/week on-site)
- Schedule -Enjoy a hybrid, 9/80 work schedule (with every other Friday off).
- Benefits -Fantastic benefits package!
- Professional Development - Tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and career growth opportunities
- Education Benefits - Potential enrollment for dependents in the Palo Alto Unified School District
(pilot program, subject to change) - Childcare Support - Up to $10,000 in childcare subsidies (pilot program, subject to change)
- Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan - Competitive pension benefits
Recruitment Timeline:
Minimum Qualifications Review: Ongoing
First Review of Applications: August 4 - posting may close at any time after this date
Interviews: First-round interviews are expected to be via MS Teams and take place in late August.
Second-round interviews will be in-person and expected to take place in early September.
Desired Start Date: early October
Applicants must complete the online work history form as well as attach a cover letter and resume. A position-specific cover letter will indicate a candidate's sincere interest in the position and can highlight areas of work experience that may not be readily apparent.
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Participates in development and implementation of city fiscal policies and budgetary goals, objectives, and priorities
- Administers and supports various technology platforms for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
- Plans, develops, organizes, and coordinates the preparation of the City's annual operating budget and five-year Capital Improvement Program.
- Oversees the ongoing monitoring of expenditures and revenues and coordinates the fiscal year-end closing.
- Guides staff in the review of department budget proposals and participates in balancing all funds.
- Develops, with the Director of the Administrative Services Division, a defined plan for management of OMB operations.
- Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; overseeing staff's projects; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations to the Director.
- Analyzes situations carefully and adopt effective course of action and exercises sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
- Performs analysis with other agencies, where appropriate, to provide cost effective municipal services.
- Implements and oversees the citywide budget system and other technology systems.
- Manages the annual Long Range Financial Forecast, operating budget, the midyear budget review process, and the year-end re-appropriation processes.
- Prepares revenue and expenditure forecasts.
- Serves as financial lead in labor negotiations.
- Prepares and administers the OMB budget.
- Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Compensation Plan HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 8/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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