The City of Flint, MI (Pop. 96,500) is seeking a seasoned municipal finance professional to join the administrative team of Mayor Sheldon Neeley, who was re-elected to a four-year term in November 2022. This position is ideal for a professional who is committed to making a difference. The chief financial officer (CFO) will play a key role in the continuing revitalization of the city and will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate leadership and innovation in concert with other like-minded professionals.
Flint is a mid-sized, midwestern city with an economy built on industrial manufacturing, continuing education, and medical research. Located on the Flint River, the city is the regional hub of Genesee County (Pop. 400,000) and home to businesses and colleges which significantly increase the daytime population. Its challenges are well-publicized (i.e. Flint Water Crisis that is being addressed with State, Federal, and philanthropic dollars) but overlook the strength, passion, and heart of the community.
Flint is the birthplace of both General Motors and the UAW. It is the community that developed the very concepts of community foundations, land banks, and community schools – all of which became national models. Innovative work is underway here to prove the value of universal access to early childhood education (birth to 5) and how planning can help a city evolve and flourish after significant population loss.
Flint is located about 60 miles north of Detroit and about 60 miles south of the forests and lakes of rural Northern Michigan. It is intersected with three major highways, including US-23 as well as and Interstate 69, which stretches from Canada to Mexico, and Interstate 75, which continues from Michigan to Florida. Air service and travel is provided by Bishop International Airport with connections to major US cities. The city also contains an extensive railway system which includes Amtrak service. Internally, the city consists of 500 miles of road and 1,500 miles of underground water and sewer lines. Those with active and social lifestyles enjoy many opportunities in revitalized Downtown Flint.
Activities include organized groups of Flint River kayakers, as well as joggers, runners, and cyclists that gather on regular schedules. An $8.5 million Historic Saginaw Street Restoration Project is also underway and is a long-term commitment to maintaining the central business district. Venues offering cultural events are plentiful, along with other amenities that are typically only available in much larger communities.
The City of Flint is in the process of filling key department head positions as part of the plan to build a strong management team that will provide stability and long term sustainability in the organization.
The CFO/finance director position is one of the key department head positions to be filled. This position oversees and directs all aspects of the city’s finances, including preparation and administration of the city strategic plan, budget, and oversight of accounting, payroll, grant reporting, and purchasing. The position also supervises a staff of 12 employees, including the directors of treasury, purchasing, assessing, and fleet management. The CFO/finance director is a mayoral appointment who reports to the city administrator.
A bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or a related field and five years of financial management experience is required. A CPA credential is highly desirable. The starting salary range for the position is $110,000 -$135,000, with the top end currently under review.
The city is seeking a motivated and experienced local government financial manager and will only consider qualified applicants who possess the following knowledge and experience:
Required: • A bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or a related field.
• Five years of financial management in complex organizations and previous management experiences at a supervisor or director level.
Desired: • A master’s degree in business administration or public administration.
The Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities.
