Description
The City of Winston-Salem operates under a Council-Manager form of government, in which an elected eight-member City Council, led by a separately elected Mayor, establishes policy and strategic direction, while a professional City Manager oversees daily operations. The organization employs approximately 3,000 full-time and part-time staff across 27 departments and operates with an adopted FY2025-26 budget of $724.7 million. Guided by its mission to provide impactful services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations, the City is committed to delivering high-quality, responsive public service. Its vision is to be a premier city in the region—offering world-class amenities while maintaining a keen sense of charm and hospitality. This work is grounded in a set of core values that shape the organization’s culture and decision-making: teamwork, responsibility, respect, integrity, and customer service.
The Finance Department is responsible for the City’s financial operations and long-term financial planning. The department is organized into six divisions—administration, accounting/financial reporting, payroll, treasury, revenue, and risk management, ensuring accurate fiscal management and compliance with applicable standards.
Reporting to an Assistant City Manager, the CFO leads the Finance Department, overseeing an $8.6 million budget and a team of 45 full-time employees, including two direct reports: a Deputy Financial Officer and an Assistant Financial Officer. The CFO advises the City Council on financial matters and serves as administrator of the City’s pension fund. The CFO will have the exciting opportunity to steward long-term continuity by capturing institutional knowledge and fostering a culture of mentorship to bridge the gap between past experiences and future innovation. Success in this position will require fostering a culture of continued open dialogue and seamless interdepartmental partnerships, providing consistent financial guidance, and aligning the department with the organization’s strategic efforts. This position must also continue to adhere to the exacting standards of timeliness and integrity in financial reporting. This is a prime opportunity to showcase the City’s fiscal excellence and build a lasting foundation of continued community trust through proactive transparency and collaboration.
Key Position Priorities:
Successfully complete the annual audit while gaining a thorough understanding of the team, their capabilities, and current operations.
Build strong relationships with department directors, particularly other internal service departments such as Budget and Performance Management, Human Resources, and Information Technology, to understand organizational needs, challenges, and opportunities.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Finance Department’s structure, processes, and service delivery to identify areas for improvement.
Evaluate and prioritize financial policies and practices for enhancement or modernization, including those related to debt management and issuance.
Prepare for and lead the successful replacement of the City’s outdated ERP system after completion of the implementation of a new HRIS and payroll system this Fall, ensuring alignment with organizational needs.
The Successful Candidate:
Brings strong, proven leadership experience and the confidence to step in and lead immediately—this is not a role for someone learning on the job, but for an experienced leader who solves problems and sets direction; Leads with both technical expertise and emotional intelligence, creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and motivated to succeed;
Builds trust through an approachable, collaborative style, fostering strong working relationships across departments;
Invests time in understanding staff and operations firsthand, engaging with employees across the organization and demonstrating genuine interest in their day-to-day work; Communicates with clarity, confidence, and transparency, bringing executive presence to interactions with the City Council and City Manager’s Office, and demonstrating the ability to understand and navigate the political environment; Leads with integrity and a deep commitment to stewardship of public funds, ensuring accountability and transparency in all financial practices; Thinks strategically and acts decisively, with the ability to streamline financial policies and procedures while navigating tight budget environments; Champions innovation and operational efficiency, leveraging data analytics and digital workflows to streamline processes and move away from paper-based systems;
Possesses a strong understanding of local government operations and the broader finance environment, enabling immediate impact; Develops and empowers staff through coaching, mentoring, and effective delegation, while creating space for managers to think strategically; Demonstrates strong organizational awareness, understanding how all parts of the City work together and aligning financial operations to support broader goals; Promotes accountability across the organization, supporting the City Manager in ensuring compliance with financial policies and practices; and, Brings a long-term commitment to the City, recognizing the importance of stability in this role and the value of building trust and momentum over several years.
Additional Information:
All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above )– NOT the city’s employment application portal or any other external website.
Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
Applicants should apply by May 6, 2026, to be considered during the first round of reviews.
The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on June 4-5, 2026.
Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate as these dates are fixed.
Requirements
Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required; a master’s degree in Public Administration or a Finance-related field is highly preferred.
A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in government financial leadership and administration including 3-5 years of supervisory experience is required.
Local government experience is required.
CPA and GFOA Certification are preferred but not required.
Additional Information:
All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above )– NOT the city’s employment application portal or any other external website.
Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
Applicants should apply by May 6, 2026, to be considered during the first round of reviews.
The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on June 4-5, 2026.
Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate as these dates are fixed.
Direct all inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com.
The City of Winston-Salem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position.