Finance Director – City of Greensboro, NC

City of Greensboro, NC

Position Closes: March 8, 2026

 Are you a financial leader who understands that public trust is earned through sound judgment and steady leadership?
 Are you known for integrity, precision in financial oversight, and the ability to guide complex decisions with clarity and confidence?
 Are you ready to lead a finance organization that safeguards a city’s financial strength while supporting thoughtful planning and long-term fiscal stability?

If so, the City of Greensboro is seeking a proven public sector finance executive to serve as Director of Finance (Chief Financial Officer), a cornerstone role within the City’s senior leadership team and chief steward of the City’s financial health. This position reflects Greensboro’s commitment to disciplined leadership and proven stewardship, calling for an experienced professional who can oversee financial operations, support informed decision-making, and maintain a strong, conservative approach to fiscal management in partnership with City leadership and staff.

Quiet Strength. Proven Stewardship. Purpose-Driven Finance. Greensboro’s financial stability has been built over decades through responsible leadership, disciplined investment, and a deep commitment to public trust. The Finance Department continues that tradition by strengthening systems, supporting organizational priorities, and sustaining practices that reinforce long-term stability. The next Director of Finance will step into a collaborative leadership environment grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility, helping safeguard the City’s financial integrity while carrying forward a legacy defined by steady, principled stewardship.

About the Organization:
The City of Greensboro is governed under a Council-Manager form of government with the council serving as the legislative body of City government. City council is composed of a mayor and eight council members who serve four-year terms. The council is responsible for setting and directing policy regarding operations of City government, as well as approving the City’s budget of $830.6M, which supports 2,800 full-time, 200 part-time, and up to 1,000 temporary and seasonal employees, across many departments. The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer of the City and is responsible for the execution of council policy and for the management of day-to-day City government operations.

Learn more about the City of Greensboro by visiting its website.

About the Department and Position:

The City of Greensboro Finance Services Department has earned the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 50 consecutive years—a distinction that reflects exceptional technical rigor, transparency, and institutional discipline. As the City’s Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Finance leads the planning and direction of all financial affairs in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. The Director is responsible for preserving this legacy while advancing modern financial practices, maintaining strong regulatory compliance, and reinforcing trust with elected officials, employees, residents, and the financial community. The Director provides oversight across six divisions: Accounting, Collections, Treasury Management, Financial Reporting, Purchasing Service, Centralized Contracting, and Equipment Services (Equipment Services manages, maintains, and repairs the 1,8000-piece automotive and rolling stock fleet used by City Departments).

Working in close collaboration with the City Manager’s Office and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Director provides enterprise-wide financial leadership for a growing, AAA-rated city. The position also provides oversight of the Financial and Administrative Services Department, including General Activities with an annual budget of $5,640,000 and 46 full-time employees, and the Equipment Services Fund with an annual budget of $32,500,000 and 52 full-time employees.

A defining feature of the position is leadership over Greensboro’s adopted Ten-Year Capital Improvements Plan, which projects $2.8 billion in capital needs over the next decade, including approximately $460 million in general obligation bond funding and $1 billion in revenue bond financing. The Director plays a pivotal role in securing this capital, guiding long-term borrowing strategies, and sustaining the City’s AAA general obligation bond ratings from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. The position also drives long-term financial planning to support Greensboro’s strategic initiatives, including the Road to 10,000 housing goal, infrastructure investments, and economic development efforts that foster equity and growth. The Finance Director serves as a cornerstone of Greensboro’s executive leadership structure and provides opportunities for broader public sector leadership, including potential pathways to Assistant City Manager or City Manager roles with influence over the City’s strategic and operational direction.

Key Position Priorities:
• Lead development and execution of the annual budget and capital improvement program while advancing major initiatives, including the upcoming fleet facility garage construction project.
• Deliver clear, data-driven financial insight to City Council and executive leadership, translating complex analysis into actionable policy and operational decisions.
• Safeguard the City’s financial strength through active management of the AAA bond rating, oversight of the debt program, and stewardship of more than $1 billion in outstanding bonded debt.
• Modernize and strengthen financial operations through investment portfolio oversight, implementation of electronic payment systems, and leadership within a GASB-compliant reporting environment, including asset management and preparation of the annual financial report.
• Build organizational capacity by leading and mentoring a high-performing team and fostering trusted relationships with internal partners, external advisors, rating agencies, and regulatory stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications:
• 10 or more years of progressively responsible financial management experience
• Extensive experience with public sector finance, budgeting, and debt management
• Demonstrated success in leading professional teams and managing complex financial systems

Preferred Qualifications:
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or NC Certified Local Government Finance Officer (NCCLGFO)
• Experience advising City Council or similar governing bodies.
• Proven record of implementing innovative financial strategies that enhance equity and community impact.
The Successful Candidate:
• Demonstrates unquestioned integrity and earns trust through consistent, principled decision-making — especially in complex or high-visibility situations;
• Brings deep financial expertise and professional credibility, serving as a confident and knowledgeable resource to City Council and executive leadership;
• Communicates with clarity and sound judgment, translating complex financial issues into practical guidance and informed decision-making;
• Maintains precision and discipline in financial oversight while balancing long-term strategy with day-to-day operational realities;
• Builds respectful partnerships across departments, supporting collaboration and strengthening organizational alignment;
• Leads inclusively by directing, mentoring, and empowering a diverse, high-performing workforce while fostering collaboration, equity, and innovation;
• Upholds Greensboro’s values of being purpose-driven, people-centered, data-informed, resilient, and equitable in both leadership style and financial decision-making; and
• Demonstrates a deep commitment to public service and stewardship of public resources, prioritizing community impact over personal preference.
About the Community:
Greensboro, NC is the third largest city in the state (ranking just behind Charlotte and Raleigh in population) and is located in the Piedmont Triad region of the state. Covering approximately 140 square miles, the City is home to just over 307,000 residents and has grown steadily into a diverse, mid-sized metropolitan center.

Greensboro was founded in 1808 as the new Guilford County seat, chosen for its central location, which made it easier for residents—many traveling by horseback—to reach the courthouse. Its position in central North Carolina helped it become an important transportation crossroads, especially today as Interstates 40, 85, and 73 converge there. Through the 19th and early 20th centuries, Greensboro became a major textile manufacturing center, and remnants of this legacy continue to shape the city’s character. The city also played an essential role in the civil rights movement, most notably with the 1960 Woolworth’s lunch-counter sit-ins led by North Carolina A&T students, which became a national catalyst for peaceful protest.

Today, Greensboro has a diverse and steadily growing population, with a median household income around $62,000 and a broad mix of homeowners and renters. The city is known for its pleasant blend of suburban neighborhoods, historic districts, college communities, and pockets of urban development centered around downtown. Greensboro’s housing market is considered relatively affordable compared to many similar-sized cities, with home values continuing to rise but still accessible for many families and first-time buyers. Its cultural makeup is similarly varied, shaped by its universities, its history, and a broad demographic mix that contributes to the city’s community character.

Greensboro offers a wide and diverse range of opportunities for enjoying nature, exploring culture, discovering history, and taking part in recreational activities. One of its signature attractions is the Greensboro Science Center, a combined museum, zoo, and aquarium that appeals to visitors of all ages. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum downtown preserves the original Woolworth’s lunch counter and offers detailed exhibitions on the civil rights movement. The city is also well known for its parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, including wetland preserves, the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, lakes, and numerous greenways used for walking, running, and biking. Downtown Greensboro offers a lively collection of restaurants, cafés, galleries, shops, breweries, and nightlife along the Elm Street corridor, giving the city a small-city energy with cultural depth. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex hosts major sporting events, concerts, and entertainment throughout the year, making it one of the largest and busiest venues of its kind in the region.

The city has a vibrant arts and community scene, with the Greensboro Cultural Center serving as a hub for galleries, theaters, studios, and local arts groups. Historic neighborhoods like Fisher Park highlight early 20th-century architecture and a strong sense of heritage. Festivals, concerts, public art, and year-round community events add energy to daily life, while plentiful parks and green spaces give residents easy and quick access to nature.

Greensboro is home to several major colleges and universities, including UNC Greensboro, a large public research school with an active campus near downtown, and North Carolina A&T State University, a nationally recognized HBCU known for its engineering and STEM programs. Greensboro also includes smaller institutions like Guilford College, Bennett College, Greensboro College, and GTCC, the area’s main community college for technical and workforce training. Altogether, these schools serve more than 47,000 students and give the city a strong academic presence.

Known for its welcoming and diverse character, the city combines strong schools, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, accessible parks and greenways, and a solid healthcare network that supports both quality of life and long-term stability. Residents value a community that offers the amenities and opportunities of a larger city while still preserving a strong sense of connection and belonging — making Greensboro an inviting place to live, work, and become part of something meaningful.

The city’s moderate cost of living and strong public and private school systems add to its appeal, while ongoing strategic initiatives continue to shape Greensboro’s future. Efforts such as the Road to 10,000 housing initiative are expanding housing availability and influencing capital planning, infrastructure investment, and long-range financial strategy.

Learn more about Greensboro by visiting the Greensboro Visitors & Convention Bureau website.

Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for the position is $130,643.00 - $233,783.00 with eligibility for additional executive compensation of $4,320 annually. A signing bonus of up to $8,595 may be available for the selected candidate. As a City employee, the Director of Finance participates in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (NCLGERS), which includes a 6% pre-tax employee contribution and a City-funded employer contribution, with vesting after five years.
Supplemental retirement savings opportunities include participation in a 401(a) plan with a 3.25% City contribution based on base salary, as well as 457 / Roth 457 and 401(k) / Roth 401(k) plans. For highly experienced executives, the City may recognize prior public sector service through adjusted leave accrual rates and initial leave balances, consistent with established policies. Learn more about the City’s generous benefits package here.
As with all individuals appointed as City Department Directors, the Finance Director must live within a 30-mile radius of the Greensboro city limits within 12 months of their appointment.
To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the Finance Director – City of Greensboro, NC title.
• 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 March 8, 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 April 14-15, 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 Greensboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC, manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, select “Client Openings," and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”

How to Apply

Application Deadline

Job Details

Salary
$130,643
-
$233,783
Job Function
Finance Director
Position Type
Full Time

City of Greensboro

Address

PO BOX 3136
Greensboro, NC 27402-3136
United States

Population
299,035
Form of Government
Council-Manager

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