About the Department
The Department of Finance provides centralized structure and support for the City of Norfolk’s financial operations, including financial reporting; debt and cash management; payroll; procurement; risk management; financial system administration and support; accounts payable; collections; retirement and parking financial operations. The department is led by the Director and supported by two Assistant Directors, collectively leading a talented team of nearly 80 professionals.
As Assistant Director of Finance, you play a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of the City of Norfolk. This is not just an operational role — it’s a leadership opportunity for someone who wants to drive meaningful changes, strengthen financial systems, and improve services that directly impact residents every day.
The Assistant Director of Finance guides and coordinates the department’s daily operations, ensuring effective oversight of professional, technical, and administrative staff. This role supports the Director in advancing strategic planning and budgeting efforts and is responsible for creating, implementing, and enforcing policies and procedures that promote high-quality business services across the organization.
The City of Norfolk seeks an experienced, forward-thinking leader to help drive the Department of Finance through a pivotal era of progress, innovation and organizational focus. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director serves as a key executive responsible for operational excellence, strategic implementation, budget stewardship, and the delivery of high performing public services that will influence decisions at the highest levels and help ensure the City’s long-term financial sustainability.
This position provides direct leadership to division managers, advances departmental priorities, and ensures that policies and initiatives are executed with consistency, integrity, strong organizational alignment and effective internal controls. The Assistant Director collaborates with departments across the City, advises senior leadership, represents the Finance team in key discussions, and steps in as Acting Director when needed. This is an opportunity to make a difference — for the organization, for the workforce, and for the community we serve.
Position Duties
- Lead Daily Operations with Purpose: Provide direction, clarity, and momentum to the department’s day-to-day activities. Inspire and support managers and staff, ensuring they have the guidance and feedback needed to excel and grow.
- Shape the City’s Financial Future: Play a key role in developing and executing strategic initiatives that advance the City’s mission. Help turn big ideas into real, meaningful progress for the residents we serve.
- Drive Results and Continuous Improvement: Track progress toward departmental goals, identify obstacles or opportunities, and adapt strategies to keep the department moving forward with excellence and innovation.
- Elevate Standards Through Policy Leadership: Help build and uphold policies and procedures that strengthen financial stewardship and operational effectiveness. Apply professional judgment to adapt processes in unique or evolving situations.
- Build and Develop High-Performing Teams: Ensure the department is staffed for success. Support professional development, guide training efforts, and create an environment where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive.
- Steward Resources Responsibly: Assist in crafting and managing the department’s budget, ensuring financial decisions support both strategic priorities and effective service delivery.
- Collaborate Across the City: Partner with leaders from other departments to create Citywide policies, improve systems, and enhance services that residents rely on every day.
- Lead at the Highest Level: Serve as Acting Director when needed, representing the department with professionalism and credibility in meetings, committees, and key engagements with internal and external stakeholders.
- Advance the Work That Matters Most: Take on specialized assignments and high-impact departmental initiatives that contribute to improving operations, financial systems, and service quality across the City.
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal candidate is a seasoned manager who excels in complex and dynamic environments, demonstrating strong judgment, political acumen, and a highly collaborative leadership style. Significant experience in finance, accounting, debt management, financial systems administration, and organizational management is strongly valued. Candidates should embody a leadership philosophy grounded in integrity, accountability, transparency, and a deep commitment to public service.
This position requires specialized knowledge in a professional or technical discipline, typically obtained through graduate-level study. A master’s degree in a related field — preferably aligned with the department’s area of responsibility — is strongly preferred.
A minimum of five years of experience in a related field, ideally in a managerial or executive capacity, is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Other Qualifications
- CPA certification is preferred, though not required.
- This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.