The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the financial steward and strategic leader responsible for all finance functions within the City and serves as a key leader and financial advisor to the City Manager, departmental leaders, and the organization. Reporting to the City Manager or designee, the CFO provides an organization-wide focus on the operations and transactional aspects of Boulder’s fiscal policy, fiscal services, and risk management.

The CFO is responsible for directing and managing the finance department, encompassing annual financial reporting, accounting, accounts payable and receivable, treasury, investments, debt issuance and management, budgeting, payroll, tax collection and auditing, regulatory licensing, purchasing, internal audit, risk management, and other essential services. Reporting to the CFO are the Deputy Finance Director, Budget Officer, Senior Risk Manager, Payroll Manager, and Executive Assistant.

This role involves providing and presenting financial information in a clear and transparent manner to the City organization, City Council, and the community while also ensuring comprehensive oversight and fiscal stewardship for all City funds. Building strong relationships with department staff and other directors is essential to coordinate the development and implementation of robust financial processes, procedures, and internal controls.

In partnership with the Budget Officer and the central budget team, the CFO supports other departments in developing financial analyses and works closely with the Controller to review and implement accounting pronouncements and address emerging issues. The CFO ensures effective financial systems, operations, and robust compliance, control, and risk management policies. Additionally, they provide necessary reports and summaries for historical financial information as requested under the Colorado Open Records Act and ensure compliance with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

The Priorities

• Champion the City’s Strategic Plan and ensure continued integration of our Budgeting for Resilience and Equity. Promote enhanced data-driven decision-making to understand the impact of our funding choices and the allocation of resources in support of community and citywide goals.
• Continue to develop and implement Boulder’s long-term financial strategy, which includes a holistic and comprehensive strategy to support core service levels and community needs. Focus on increased funding flexibility to meet emerging and changing needs and increased reliability through establishing guiding principles, revenue identification, and community prioritization.
• Oversee the continued implementation of Workday Financials and ensure alignment with the long-term financial strategy guiding principles of Fiscal Sustainability and Sufficiency, Equity, and Resiliency.
• Monitor and assess the financial impacts of future legislation. Support transparency and effectively communicate legislative impacts to the City Council and City leadership to aid decision-making.
• Provide financial guidance and support implementation efforts of ongoing projects, including asset management, centralization, CIP projects, and real estate strategy initiatives.
• Implement best practices for the finance and risk management processes and procedures. Analyze and determine the City-wide impact of policies currently being used or being considered for implementation.
• Serve as an ambassador and active champion for our ongoing racial equity work. Through your leadership, promote respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key organizational value and crucial component of the decision-making process.

The Successful Candidate

The Chief Financial Officer is excited by the opportunity to provide strategic financial leadership across the City organization, acting as a trusted partner in shaping and executing the City’s financial strategy in collaboration with the City Manager and City leadership. With a forward-looking approach to financial management and local government, the CFO is committed to ensuring long-term financial sustainability and resilience.

Recognized as a trusted partner to City departments and the City Council on financial matters, the successful candidate actively builds relationships across the organization to understand and address its financial needs, supporting strategic and innovative solutions. Grounded in financial best practices, the CFO leverages a diverse background to bring added value and fresh perspectives while remaining adaptable to the City’s evolving needs. Comfortable with ambiguity, the CFO demonstrates a flexible approach to leadership and change management.

With a high level of emotional intelligence and political acumen, the CFO is a collaborative partner to the City Manager, offering insightful advice and guidance to foster organizational alignment. A strong ability to convey a compelling vision and core purpose is essential, enabling the CFO to look beyond immediate concerns and focus on future possibilities. With the ability to talk beyond today and focus on possibility, the CFO recognizes the importance of financial planning, including the creation of performance measures, and effectively utilizes financial modeling and forecasting to prepare the City for a sustainable future. Equipped with solid business acumen, the ideal candidate understands the complexities of government operations and confidently makes decisions that benefit both the organization and the community.

The CFO is focused on providing excellent customer service and values cross-departmental collaboration in order to provide a high level of service to the organization and community and is skilled in navigating a hybrid financial model of centralized and decentralized functions. Seen as a direct and truthful individual, the successful candidate is an effective communicator who believes in transparent communication and can clearly and effectively articulate the financial position and needs of the City to the City Council, City leadership, staff, and the broader community.

Considered a genuine and authentic leader, the CFO is approachable and actively nurtures an open and welcoming environment. The successful candidate is an active listener, maintains effective working relationships with staff, and works to build a responsive, equitable, and strategically collaborative department. The Director is recognized as a highly effective leader and employs a leadership style that invites participation, builds trust, and empowers staff.

Qualifications

At least eight years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience is required. At least five years in a management role with direct experience building and maintaining a high-functioning team is essential. Government finance experience is highly preferred, including knowledge of the financial impacts of public policies. Knowledge of public finance, including tax policy, tax structures, tax collection, fee setting and structures, and fee collection, is essential, as are public entity purchasing best practices. Knowledge of public sector unions and implications of pay practices, public pensions and funding implications, and grant administration are ideal.

A bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, economics, public administration, or related field is required, with a master’s degree preferred. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation is preferred.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Inside the City of Boulder

The City of Boulder believes in a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment, where the community adapts and thrives in response to emerging, and sometimes urgent, social, economic, and environmental challenges.

The Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience Framework guides budget and planning processes by providing consistent goals necessary to achieve Boulder’s vision of a great community and the actions required to achieve them. Building on a legacy of innovation, Boulder cultivates a creative spirit in order to adapt and thrive in the changing climate.

Boulder continuously works to provide service excellence for an inspired future through our core values:

• Customer service: We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our community and our co-workers by demonstrating consistent and professional service with a solution-oriented approach.
• Respect: We champion diversity and welcome individual perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions. We are open-minded and treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Integrity: We are stewards of the public’s trust and are committed to service that is transparent and consistent with city regulations and policies. We are honorable, follow through on our commitments, and accept responsibility.
• Collaboration: We are committed to organizational success and celebrate our shared dedication to public service. We believe community collaboration and the sum of our individual contributions lead to great results.
• Innovation: We promote a forward-thinking environment that supports creativity, calculated risks, and continuous improvement. We embrace change and learn from others in order to deliver leading-edge service.

Workplace Culture

The City of Boulder believes that a diverse workforce, individual lived experiences, and an inclusive environment add quality and perspective to the services provided to the public. Therefore, the organization intentionally strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce that values and embraces differences among employees.

An important component of the City’s culture and environment is Boulder’s Leadership Philosophy: We believe each of us is a leader. We are motivated by the opportunities to make a positive difference in our community. Our greatest results are achieved when we:

• Create a respectful, trusting, and supportive environment.
• Rely on, invest in, and celebrate each other’s perspectives, skills, talents, and accomplishments.
• Consult and collaborate with each other to make timely and quality decisions.
• Share responsibility for and learn from the process and outcomes of a creative culture.

Structure of Local Government

Boulder operates under a council-manager form of government. The elected City Council sets policies, and the Council-appointed City Manager implements them. The Council also appoints the City Attorney and Municipal Court Judge.

The City Council consists of nine members: an elected mayor and eight members elected at large (one of whom serves as the mayor pro tem). Council members can serve up to three terms.

With a 2025 budget of $589.5 Million, the City of Boulder is served by 1,539 regular employees. Robust City services are provided through numerous departments and divisions.

The Finance Department

The Finance Department is an innovative leader and partner in fiscal stewardship. The department manages, protects, and reports on the City of Boulder’s financial resources to enhance the City’s financial condition and, in partnership, develops financial strategies to meet community priorities, ensure financial transparency, and build trust in government. With a 2025 budget of $16.7 Million and just over 50 full-time employees, the Finance Department is comprised of eight divisions. The expert, well-trained, and committed team is engaged with customers, guided by and adheres to sound fiscal systems and policies, and is dedicated to continuous improvement.

Administration

The Administration division provides strategic financial direction for the organization, directs financial programs and activities, and communicates and collaborates with city departments related to city financial matters.

Accounting, Treasury, Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable

The Accounting, Treasury, Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable Division is responsible for the daily fiscal operations that include accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed asset reporting, cash receipting, collections, general ledger maintenance, project tracking, purchasing card administration, and all financial reporting needs.

Budget and Grants

The Budget and Grants Division coordinates citywide operating budget development activities, collaborates with the Planning & Development Services Department and other departments to create the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), provides budgetary support and guidance to City departments, performs budgetary forecasting and analysis, engages in long-range financial planning, provide centralized grants coordination and management, and performs policy analysis at the request of the City Manager.

Payroll

The Payroll Division provides accurate bi-weekly payroll, ensures employment tax compliance, makes pension, benefit plan, and other required remittances.

Purchasing

The Purchasing Division is responsible for managing the City’s procurement process and execution of contracts for constructing capital improvements, purchasing tangible personal property, and obtaining insurance policies, as well as purchased and consulting services.

Regulatory Licensing

The Regulatory Licensing Division works with businesses to process new or renewing regulatory licenses such as liquor licenses, medical and recreational marijuana business licenses, hemp licenses, special event licenses, and other miscellaneous licenses.

Risk Management

The Risk Management Division oversees the City’s general liability and workers’ compensation programs, managing the insurance portfolio, managing and processing claims, developing a robust and comprehensive safety program, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI, and prioritizing and conducting internal audits or program reviews.

Taxpayer Services and Compliance

The Taxpayer Services and Compliance Division provides business licensing (sales tax licensing), tax collection, reporting, education, and compliance functions for sales and use taxes, accommodation taxes, admission taxes, and other city transactional taxes for over 13,000 licensed businesses.

The Boulder, Colorado Community

Boulder, Colorado, is located just 30 minutes northwest of Denver, where the plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Tucked into a picturesque valley below the iconic Flatirons, Boulder has a population of approximately 105,000. The City is a great place to live, work, grow, and play.

Boulder is nationally recognized for its quality of life, thriving tech, research-based economy, and booming real estate market. Boulder is also one of the most educated metropolitan areas in the country. The local public schools are excellent, with Boulder Valley School District consistently ranking among the best in the state. In addition, Boulder is a hub of entrepreneurship, particularly for businesses that value a lifestyle rooted in a love of the outdoors, healthy living, and access to resources.

The University of Colorado at Boulder is currently one of the premier public research institutions in the United States and sits in the heart of Boulder. The University has a strong reputation and is especially known for its engineering and science programs, particularly Earth and Space sciences. There are 17 federally funded science laboratories in Boulder, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Enjoyment of the outdoors has always been at the forefront of life in Boulder. The community’s Open Space and Mountain Parks form a green belt around the City with over 45,000 acres of land that are preserved and protected. Boulder has over 300 miles of public hiking and biking trails, and its mountain parks and open spaces receive well over five million visitors a year. In addition, residents enjoy 1,800 acres of urban parkland and programming through numerous recreation centers and outdoor pools.

Boulder fosters an environment for artists and audiences to be innovative, experimental, creative, and expressive. The City has a large concentration of artists with more than 30 art galleries, four museums, a dozen movie and stage theaters, and a huge variety of cultural performances each year, including the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Music Festival, and Chautauqua Summer Series.

According to Bon Appétit magazine, Boulder is America’s Foodiest City with local restaurants and chefs insistent on quality, innovation, and flavor. In addition, Boulder is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s healthiest places to live and is a mecca for natural and organic products. Farms, dairies, ranches, markets, and restaurants embrace the idea of local, seasonal, and artisanal food production and cooking. The Boulder Farmers Market is the largest outdoor market in the state, providing a venue for local agricultural producers to sell their products directly to the public. For those who love beer, wine, and spirits, there are 21 breweries, four distilleries, two wineries, and two cideries in Boulder.

While each of the characteristics, passions, and industries that Boulder is known for today emerged organically over time, it is how they work together that makes Boulder…Boulder.

Compensation

The salary range for the Chief Financial Officer is $177,257 – $265,865, with an anticipated hiring range of $177,257 – $248,144, and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The City of Boulder is a progressive organization that values employee engagement and well-being. The City recognizes the importance of providing an encompassing health and life benefits program to employees, including Hybrid Work, Flex Schedules, Telehealth and Wellness Incentives, Infants and Dogs at Work Program, Local bus Eco-Pass, and an Employee Discount Program on goods and services throughout the Boulder Community. Additional information can be viewed here.

To Be Considered

Respect is one of Boulder’s five City Values, and they are committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. The City celebrates and supports differences across all spectrums including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation. Through the City’s focus on racial equity, employee benefits, and the many program resources offered to employees, Boulder continually strives to weave respect for one another into the fabric of their organization.

Add your voice and talents to the City of Boulder and help them grow in service excellence for an inspired future. Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Open until filled with the first review of applications on December 16, 2024.

Questions

Please direct questions to Heather Gantz at hgantz@raftelis.com or Kelsey Batt at kbatt@raftelis.com

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