Director of Finance
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Director of Finance
Salary
$160,513.60 - $321,048.00 Annually
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2025-00326
Division
Metro Transit
Department
MT Finance Admin
Opening Date
09/26/2025
Closing Date
10/10/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
Benefits
Questions
WHO WE ARE
We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. (https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx)
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
TheDirector of Financeserves as Metro Transit's chief financial leader, responsible for developing and directing agency-wide financial objectives, policies, and strategies. This position oversees operating and capital budgets, grants administration, accounting and financial reporting, long-range forecasting, and revenue operations including fare collection and modernization. The Director provides strategic guidance to the Finance Division and serves as Metro Transit's lead representative and collaborative partner for Metropolitan Council and Metropolitan Transportation Services financial teams. This role is responsible for ensuring Metro Transit's compliance with federal, state, county, and local requirements. The role also prepares legislative and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) reports and develops long-term financial management forecasting and plans that support our projected growth and demonstrates how we are delivering on the investment in public transit for our region.
Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
What you would do in this job
Leadership & Strategic Financial Direction
Provide executive-level leadership for agency financial strategy, planning, policy development, and long-range forecasting to ensure resources align with service enhancements and strategic and capital priorities.
Advise the General Manager, Senior Management, Metropolitan Council, county funding partners, and legislative bodies on financial performance, risks, and opportunities. · Lead development of 20-year Financial Management Plans for FTA and 25-year financial models that inform agency financial decisions, options, and impacts.
Oversee Metro Transit's sales tax commitments, partnering with Metropolitan Transportation Services and Metropolitan Council Finance team, creating a 20-year forecast plan.
Review proposed Bills and prepare Fiscal notes during legislative session.
Ensure consistency of all financial strategies with Council goals, approved projects, and funding availability.
Budget, Grants & Capital Oversight
Oversee preparation and presentation of annual operating budgets, capital budgets, the six-year capital improvement program.
Direct financial reporting and forecasts for Metro Transit partnering with Metropolitan Council financial teams and collaborating with external funding partners.
Create mechanisms that drive active budget management, including but not limited to increased access to financial reports, data, and dashboards; budget development processes aligned to strategic framework; and mid and long-range forecasting tools.
Manage grants administration, including compliance, billing, and reporting for federal, state, and local sources.
Provide oversight of capital financing strategies, debt issuance, and cash flow management.
Accounting, Financial Reporting & Compliance
Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant financial reporting, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements.
Oversee accounting functions, internal controls, audits, and adherence to GAAP, GASB, FTA, and other regulatory requirements.
Coordinate responses to FTA oversight reviews and ensure alignment of assumptions with Council and partner forecasts.
Revenue Operations & Fare Modernization
Lead and direct fare revenue management, including collection systems, reconciliation, auditing, and financial reporting.
Oversee fare modernization initiatives such as mobile payments, contactless fare media, and integrated mobility payment systems.
Ensure the security, accountability, and efficiency of revenue processing operations (e.g., vault pulling, money room operations, event revenue).
Division Oversight & Team Leadership
Strategic people-centered leadership of Finance Department teams in support of our Great Workplace norms.
Establish division-wide goals, strategies, and performance metrics, ensuring alignment with agency priorities and funding requirements.
Establish division-wide communication and engagement standards informed by our equity consideration tool to ensure partners and leaders across Metro Transit and Metropolitan Council as well as external partners are engaged and informed in ways that improve the quality and value of our work.
Lead staff development, mentoring, and performance management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
Proactively collaborate with Metropolitan Council financial team, Metropolitan Transportation Services, and other Metropolitan Council divisions.
Engage and inform Metro Transit Senior Leadership and key department stakeholders to ensure financial decisions align with agency priorities.
Lead collaborative continuous process improvement efforts with Metropolitan Council and Metropolitan Transportation Services financial teams, enhancing and improving the sharing of data, information, and communication.
Represent Metro Transit on financial committees, task forces, and joint financial committees with county and regional partners.
Present financial updates and strategic plans to the Metropolitan Council, Management Committee, county boards, and the legislature.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
Education/Experience:
Any of the following combinations of completed education (in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field) and progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting, including demonstrated expertise in budget development/oversight, capital planning, grants administration, and government or public sector finance.
Bachelor's degree with ten (10) years of experience and five (5) years of senior leadership experience
Master's degree with eight (8) years of experience and five (5) years of senior leadership experience
This position requires professional, comprehensive and practical level of understanding of financial management, business administration and accounting/financial reporting which skill level is acquired through a degreed program with many years of practical experience.
*Metropolitan Council Employees Only. Successful completion of any one of the following four Metropolitan Council Leadership/Supervisory training programs will substitute for lead/supervisory experience. You must attach your certificate(s) as proof of completion of the program to your application. Only completion of one of the four programs listed below will substitute credit (6 months or 1 year) for lead/supervisory experience.
Program Number of years of supervisory experience program counts for
Metro Transit Leadership Academy 1 year
Project Management Development Program-12-month session 1 year
Project Management Development Program-6-month session 6 months
Four Learning Institute Certificates - You must obtain all four certificates listed below to receive credit for 6 months supervisory experience.
Leading Self-Personal Effectiveness Certificate
Leading Self-Communication Certificate
Leading Self-Business Skills Certificate
Leading Others-Preparing for Supervisor Certificate
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and/or Master's in Business Administration (MBA) strongly preferred.
Background in financial leadership within a public transit or public sector organization.
Experience with financial planning and reporting for federal and/or state funded projects, including the FTA.
Experience presenting complex financial information to elected officials, boards, or external funding partners.
Experience leading the creation of dashboards and financial models to share complex and highly technical financial information with a wide variety of audiences.
What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
Knowledge of Financial Practices and Financial Techniques
Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of business administration
Knowledge of policy analysis, development and implementation
Knowledge/Understanding and able to explain complex financial issues
Knowledge of Financial Systems, Accounting Best Practice, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Knowledge of management/supervisory practices, performance management including coaching, counseling, staff development, performance improvement and discipline.
Organizational, administrative and analytical skills including continuous process improvement and performance measurement skills.
Development, motivation and fostering of collaborative relationships both inside and outside of the organization.
Project management, financial strategic development and strategies, presentation skills, and presentation to senior management, staff, and leadership boards.
Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships.
Strategy Development and ability to provide strategic timely identification of financial analysis for relevant issues and provide sound recommendations and solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats. Includes conducting meetings and effective presenting information before leadership boards and all levels of management inside the organization and to external stakeholders.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations and legislation.
Abilities in collaboration, facilitation and communications .
What you can expect from us:
We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)
Additional information
Union/Grade: NRC Grade EX-1
FLSA Status:Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What your work environment would be:
Work is performed in a standard office setting and may require travel between primary work sites to other sites.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
We review your minimum qualifications.
We rate your education and experience.
We conduct a structured panel interview.
We conduct a selection interview.
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council , you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council , you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us .
We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:
Well@Work clinic
bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
parking at many job locations
fitness centers at many job locations
Employee Assistance Program
extensive health and wellness programs and resources
01
Applicant Instructions: It is important thatyour application shows all relevant education and experienceyou possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not @type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.
Yes
No
02
How did youfirsthear about this job opening?
CareerForce Center
Community Event/Organization
Employee Referral
Facebook
Glassdoor
Indeed
Job Fair
LinkedIn
Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
Twitter
Website: governmentjobs.com
Website: metrocouncil.org
Website: metrotransit.org
Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
Other
03
If you selected "Other," please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected "Employee Referral," please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.
04
Please select from the following options the most applicable to your background and experiences.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field along with at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible finance or accounting experience, and five (5) years of senior leadership experience
Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field along with at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible finance or accounting experience, and five (5) years of senior leadership experience
None of the Above
05
Describe your experience in financial leadership, including your years of experience in budget development, capital planning, grants administration, and public sector finance. Please include your senior leadership experience. If you do not have this experience, please @type "N/A."
06
Describe your experience ensuring compliance with financial regulations such as GAAP, GASB, or FTA requirements. If you do not have this experience, please @type "N/A."
07
Describe your experience leading change and your specific role changing the culture of a team within your organization. If you do not have this experience, please @type "N/A."
08
Describe your experience in financial leadership within a public transit agency or public sector organization. What unique challenges did you face, and how did you address them? If you do not have this experience, please @type "N/A."
09
Tell us about a time you created dashboards or financial models, and presented complex financial information to elected officials, a board, or external funding partners. What tools did you use and how did you ensure the information was accessible to a wide range of audiences? If you do not have this experience, please @type "N/A."
10
Please select any of the following certifications/degrees you currently hold.
Master's in Business Administration (MBA)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
None of the Above
11
Please share how you have participated in creating an equitable and diverse workplace. If you do not have this experience, please @type "N/A."
Required Question
Employer
Metropolitan Council
Address
390 Robert St. N.St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Website
https://metrocouncil.org
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