Finance Director

Finance Director

Lead With Purpose. Serve a Coastal Community You’ll Love.

The City of Newport, Oregon is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Finance Director to guide the City’s financial operations and help support a vibrant, resilient, and engaged coastal community. Nestled along Oregon’s stunning central coast, Newport - proudly known as “The Friendliest” - is home to world-class marine science institutions, thriving tourism, a working waterfront, and diverse neighborhoods that value collaboration, sustainability, and exceptional public service.

This is an outstanding leadership opportunity for a public sector finance professional who values integrity, innovation, and meaningful public impact.

About the City and the Finance Department

The City of Newport provides a comprehensive range of municipal services to more than 10,000 year-round residents and thousands of daily visitors - truly offering a full-service level of support to the community. City operations span police, fire, public works, engineering, community development, airport operations, parks and recreation, and library services.

The Finance Department plays a central role in ensuring these services are financially sustainable and accountable by overseeing:

• The City’s $135+ million annual budget

• Financial planning, forecasting, and long-term capital needs

• Utility billing and customer service

• Payroll and accounts payable/receivable

• Governance and oversight of City-sponsored retirement plans

• Treasury management and investments

• Audit coordination and ACFR compliance

• Procurement, purchasing, and financial policy development

With a dedicated team of eight professionals, including an Assistant Finance Director, the department provides the financial stewardship and transparency that enable Newport to deliver high-quality services to residents and visitors.

About the Position

The Finance Director is a key member of the City’s executive leadership team and serves as the chief financial advisor to the City Manager, City Council, and department heads. This position oversees all financial operations, provides strategic guidance on policy and budget decisions, and ensures compliance with Oregon budget law, municipal code, public procurement requirements, and applicable accounting standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading preparation and administration of the City’s annual budget

• Managing financial reporting, audits, and internal controls

• Providing department head oversight of utility billing, payroll, and accounting functions

• Monitoring financial trends and advising on long-term fiscal strategy

• Leading and supporting a high-performing financial team, including the Assistant Finance Director and departmental staff

• Guiding continuous improvement within the Finance Department

• Supporting departments with financial analysis, forecasting, and grant compliance

• Ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability in all financial operations

The Finance Director collaborates closely across City departments and plays a central role in supporting capital planning, financial sustainability, and organizational excellence.

Why Join the City of Newport?

• A collaborative leadership team dedicated to continuous improvement

• An engaged and supportive City Council that works collaboratively with staff to advance community priorities and maintain strong financial governance

• A community that values public service, innovation, and transparency

• A strong organizational commitment to professional development

• An opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on a coastal city with unique assets and challenges

• A high quality of life - oceanfront living, outdoor recreation, marine research, arts, culture, and a strong sense of community

• The City offers short-term relocation support for non-local hires. Depending on availability, we provide a furnished apartment up to a maximum of six months, with a partial rent subsidy for the first three months to make your move to Newport as seamless as possible.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be:

• A strategic financial leader with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• A collaborative partner who builds trust and communicates clearly

• A hands-on manager experienced in government finance, budgeting, and accounting

• A mentor and coach committed to developing staff and improving systems

• A solutions-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic, service-focused environment

• A thoughtful steward of public resources who values transparency and ethical leadership

Candidates should have deep knowledge of public agency financial management, Oregon budget law (or comparable experience), GAAP/GASB standards, and municipal operations. The City welcomes applicants who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a strong commitment to public service.

Join us and help shape Newport’s financial future - your leadership will support the services, people, and community that make this coastal city such a remarkable place to live and work.

Additional Resources:

Annual City Budget Reports

Annual Comprehensive Financial Reporting Budget

Committee Meetings

Discover Newport

Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties as described.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Public Administration, or a related field, AND 10 year’s related experience, including five (5) years of supervisory experience.

 

KNOWLEDGE: Advanced knowledge of modern governmental accounting theory, principles, and practices (GAAFR, GAAP, GASB). Advanced knowledge of internal control procedures, management information systems, office automation, computerized financial applications, payroll, and accounts payable and receivable functions. Knowledge of budgetary, accounting, and reporting systems. Knowledge of Oregon budget law. Knowledge of management, conflict resolution, and team-building techniques. Knowledge of the principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Knowledge of the principles and practices of local government budget preparation and administration.

 

SKILLS:  Skill in the use of personal computers, various related software programs, and standard office equipment. Strong time management, analytical, organization, and prioritization skills. Customer service orientation and skills.  Effective management, team-building skills, conflict resolution, and strong leadership. Exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well with managers, supervisors, employees, and the general public.  Strong oral and written communications skills with a variety of audiences. Competence in business English, spelling, and punctuation. Strong reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving skills, combined with excellent judgment and professionalism. Strong time management, analytical, organization, and prioritization skills. 

 

ABILITIES:  Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with city management, employees, Council members, other entities, and the general public. Ability to prepare and analyze complex financial reports, and maintain efficient and effective financial systems and procedures.  Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups. Ability to communicate complex material in a simple, understandable manner. Ability to effectively supervise staff, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees.  Ability to elicit information and cooperation from individuals and groups. Ability to thrive in an intense work environment with numerous interruptions and conflicting demands. Requires the ability to work extended hours as necessary, to attend City Council meetings, and to attend other finance related committees.  Ability to maintain the confidentiality of the position. Ability to work a flexible schedule and participate in evening meetings. Physical ability to perform the essential job functions.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/LICENSES

Valid Oregon Driver’s License at time of hire  

Government Finance Office Training (GFOA) for Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Auditing (CAFR) at time of hire

Oregon budget law training within 6 months of hire

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Public Account (CPA)

The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach, and manipulate objects.  The position requires mobility, including the ability to frequently lift or move materials up to 5 pounds, and occasionally lift or move materials up to 25 pounds.  Manual dexterity and coordination are required more than 50% of the work period to operate such equipment as computers, keyboards, telephones, and standard office equipment. The position requires the ability to operate a motorized vehicle.  

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work location is primarily indoors where work occurs under usual office working conditions.   

 

All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofnewport.

Only complete applications will be considered.  Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. Please do not fax, mail or e-mail any documentation. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully submitted.
 
The City of Newport is an EEO and veteran's preference employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under state, federal or local law.
 
All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check, reference checking, and in the case of safety sensitive positions, drug and alcohol testing.
 
The City of Newport follows Oregon law regarding Veterans’ Preference in Public Employment. If you are requesting Veterans’ Preference, you must complete the Veteran's Preference Form and attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215. If you are a disabled veteran, you must also include a copy of your Veteran's Administration benefit summary/award letter with your application.