Finance Director

Finance Director

City of Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill, IA

About Pleasant Hill

Selecting Pleasant Hill, Iowa, as the place to live, do business, and work is intentional. People choose Pleasant Hill because they share in the commitments to the community. They want a thriving quality of life. They want a strong school district. They want the closest connection to the vibrant attractions of downtown Des Moines while enjoying neighborhood-level access to more than 300 miles of peaceful trails. They value engagement and partnership. They want to make a difference. So: they are intentional. They choose Pleasant Hill.

The City continues to invest in infrastructure and quality of life amenities including parks, trails, and art. City Staff and elected officials are relentlessly committed to partnering on redevelopment in the community and bringing new commercial services and businesses. Pleasant Hill is a Home Base Iowa community with a 200+ acre Certified Site and has more than 500 acres of land available along the Highway 163 corridor primed and ready for high-quality commercial and mixed‑use development. Pleasant Hill has been experiencing exponential growth and record building permits in recent years. Each day, City staff and elected officials are Intentional, Transparent, and work with Integrity toward common goals set forth in the City's Comprehensive and Strategic Plans.

About the Opportunity

The Finance Director role provides strategic oversight of all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, treasury management, and payroll, ensuring fiscal integrity, strong internal controls, and responsible stewardship of public funds. As a trusted advisor to leadership, this position delivers clear financial guidance to support sound decision‑making and long‑term stability. In addition to financial leadership, the role includes limited statutory City Clerk responsibilities, ensuring accurate record‑keeping, proper documentation of governing body actions, and compliance with required certifications and public records standards.

Key Responsibilities

The Key Accountabilities for the position include but are not limited to the following:

Financial Oversight & Management

Oversees the City’s financial operations, ensuring fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, sound internal controls, and responsible management of public funds, including budgeting, reporting, and treasury functions.

• Provides city financial advice and recommendations to the city manager and council
• Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and required accounting practices
• Oversees maintenance of financial records and preparation of required financial reports
• Co‑creates and contributes to city budget preparation and execution, financial planning, and forecasting with the City Manager
• Oversees payroll, investment of city funds, collection of revenues, and accounts payable
• Performs duties of city treasurer as specified in the Code of Iowa and local ordinances

Team Leadership

Provides departmental leadership and operational oversight, including staff supervision, performance management, personnel administration, and enforcement of city policies and ethical standards, ensuring continued development and high levels of team engagement.

• Manages and supervises clerk’s office operations and staff
• Provides or ensures training for new employees
• Performs annual performance evaluations
• Maintains personnel records and resolves any employee grievances
• Advises city manager of departmental needs or concerns
• Ensures enforcement of approved city policies and informs staff of legal and ethical issues involving confidential data

Strategic Planning Support & Operational Efficiency

Supports organizational effectiveness by participating in long‑range planning, forecasting, policy development, capital improvement planning, and interdepartmental coordination to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

• Participates in the development of short‑ and long‑range plans
• Gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations
• Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies
• Plans and recommends maintenance and capital improvement programs
• Recommends and assists in establishing city policies and guidelines

Stakeholder Engagement, Service Excellence, & Professional Growth

Serves as a key liaison between the City and the public, regional partners, and professional organizations while expanding expertise, providing trusted service excellence, maintaining required certifications, and exploring additional development opportunities.

• Provides information to citizens, co‑workers, and others
• Represents city on regional boards and commissions as directed
• Attends workshops and seminars to maintain or enhance certification and expertise

City Clerk Duties (Statutory, Legislative, & Records Functions)

Serves as the official record keeper and legislative administrator for the City, ensuring legal compliance, accurate documentation of council actions, public transparency, and proper certification of municipal records and proceedings.

• Attends City Council meetings, including preparation of agendas and packets and accurate recording of proceedings and council actions
• Prepares and maintains official legislative documents and records, including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and related filings
• Serves as custodian of official City records, ensuring proper indexing, public access, and statutory compliance
• Certifies, publishes, records, seals, and attests to ordinances, contracts, bonds, deeds, and other legal documents as required by law
• Provides procedural support to boards and commissions, administers oaths of office, oversees permits and licenses, and interprets municipal codes

Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate should match as many of the skills and experience listed below as possible:

• Strong leadership and staff supervision skills
• Advanced knowledge of municipal finance, accounting, and budgeting
• Understanding of public administration and municipal government operations
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and sound independent judgment
• High level of integrity and ability to manage confidential information
• Proficiency in financial systems and standard office software
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and long‑range plans
• Effective interpersonal skills for working with elected officials, staff, and the public

Education & Requirements

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education

Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration. Certified Municipal Clerk or sufficient training to be a Certified Municipal Clerk.

Experience Required

A minimum of 5 years of related experience in municipal government

THE SEARCH

Sagency, an executive search and leadership consulting firm, has been retained for this Finance Director search. Sagency consultants will review and evaluate all interested parties to help the hiring team review a final group for consideration.

The search will be conducted in a professional manner, and all potential candidates will be given consideration. Candidate conversations and information will be handled with great discretion and confidentiality. Sagancy and the City of Pleasant Hill are equal‑opportunity employers.

How to Apply

If, after reviewing this Opportunity Profile, you believe your experience, capabilities, and passion align with the requirements of this role, we welcome your interest. The application and selection process will proceed as follows:

Step 1: Submit Your Application

Complete the online application and upload your resume. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Step 2: Interview with Sagency

Qualified candidates may be contacted for a brief phone conversation, followed by a 60‑minute video interview with a Sagency Executive Search Consultant.

Step 3: Client Interviews

Top candidates will be invited to participate in the first round of interviews with the City of Pleasant Hill.

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity.

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