Description

Cook County Bureau of Technology is seeking a Financial Affairs and Grants Management Director. This role oversees all financial control and grants management functions for the Bureau. The Director develops and implements financial policies and procedures, manages bureau-wide budgets, and ensures compliance with federal and state grant regulations. Working closely with senior leadership, the position leads the formulation, analysis, and presentation of the annual budget while ensuring strong fiscal accountability and strategic use of technology-related funding.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.     

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80% unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

ROLE SUMMARY

Oversees the functions of the bureau/departments financial control, and grants. Develops, recommends, and implements financial and grant program policies and procedures. Determines, implements, and reviews the bureau's corporate and special purpose budgetary requests and grants management. Leads the administration, acquisition and researching of Federal and State-funded programs, laws, rules, regulations, and applicable guidelines relating to information technology. Works with the senior leadership to determine bureau-wide budgets and provide concise and timely information for presentation and review for the County's annual budget. Formulates and enforces financial policies and procedures to ensure adequate control systems. Monitors the compilation, analysis, and presentation of annual budget.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES

• Develops, implements, and oversees financial and grant management activities including budgeting, procurement, compliance, reporting, monitoring account payable, accounts receivable and payroll. 
• Formulates and enforces policies and procedures affecting financial control, special purposes, and grant management. 
• Consults with internal stakeholders to evaluate financial and operational issues, and opportunities for efficiencies and/or increased revenue. 
• Oversees overall grant efforts and provides leadership and direction for programs funded by federal, state, and private grants.
• Works with all bureau/departments and program leads to ensure that financial controls and grants program staff accomplish approved program initiatives and meets compliance and reporting requirements. 
• Coordinates with program leads, ensuring financial performance measures and evaluation criteria are developed and implemented. 
• Oversees the preparation of financial reports for management and grantors, and coordinates audit responses. 
• Oversees the coordination of the annual budget formation for each fiscal year, including analysis of departmental budget requests and prepares preliminary budget and verification of each bureau/department’s budget request to determine the validity and justification for the dollars requested.
• Oversees financial operating records. Directs the preparation of periodic, special and annual statements and other financial reports as required. 
• Reviews, recommends, and initiates various methods, policies, procedures for enhancing budget preparation and analysis and grant management. 
• Serves as the liaison for the bureau/department regarding financial matters impacting bureau/department programs, procurements, and operating budgets.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
 

• Ability to provide strategic leadership, insight, support, and direction to support the unit's mission and goals.
• Ability to implement the strategic vision of a department or organization-wide function.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and terminology of general and governmental accounting.
• Thorough knowledge of financial administration including budgeting and reporting.
• Ability to work with accounting and budget software applications; utilize PC software systems to access and manipulate financial data.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing complex financial and statistical records, reports and statements.
• Ability to solve complex problems that have long-term impact on the unit and organization.
• Ability to implement plans and objectives and oversee the efficiency and performance of specific processes and operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and
•  Four (4) years of Finance, Business, Accounting, Grant Management, or directly related experience or
•  An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Accounting or Business Administration.
• Four (4) years in Finance, Business, Accounting, Grant Management.
• Four (4) years of prior management or supervisory experience.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS                                                                                                 

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order, and the Cook County Personnel this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.