Director of Finance | Department of Parks and Recreation

About Our Job

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

Application Deadline and Required Materials

This job posting will accept applications until 11:59PM on Sunday, August 9.

We kindly request that you submit a resume and cover letter with your application.

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The hiring salary range for this position is $124,937/year - $170,000/year, based on experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include, but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

More information about the perks and benefits we provide to full-time employees to allow them to find balance, thrive, and build a mile high career can be found on our website.

Location and Schedule

This position has the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule with the in-office location at the Denver Post Building. You can expect to work in-office three (3) days per week. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days.

About Us

As stewards of Denver’s legacy park system, the City and County of Denver’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and improving the health of our residents and environment.

Through innovative programs and the creation of safe, beautiful, and sustainable spaces, DPR manages a dynamic system of 30 recreation centers and nearly 20,000 acres of urban and mountain parkland, including off-street trails, parkways, and natural areas. This work is made possible by a dedicated team of professionals who design, promote, and preserve these world-class spaces for generations to come.

What You’ll Do

The Director of Finance for the Department of Parks and Recreation serves as the department’s chief financial leader, guiding strategic financial planning, budgeting, and operational oversight to ensure the long‑term sustainability of a large, complex, and mission‑driven organization.

This role provides direction across finance, accounting, internal controls, compliance, and risk management while advising executive leadership on financial strategy and organizational performance.

The Director builds strong partnerships across the department, supports staff through effective leadership and development, and ensures fiscal integrity, transparency, and alignment with Parks and Recreation’s goals and community impact.

As the Director of Finance, you will be responsible for:

Financial Strategy & Analysis

• Evaluate the financial structure of the department and provide leadership and strategic financial analysis to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Advise the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team on financial trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Work with staff across all levels to support success through cost analysis, audit preparation, and fiscal compliance monitoring.
• Contribute to continual improvement of the budget process by educating department managers on financial issues impacting their budgets.

Budgeting & Resource Allocation

• Prioritize and allocate financial and operational resources to achieve departmental strategies.
• Ensure resource use aligns with established budgets and obtain approval for any needed exceptions
• Oversee and coordinate all fiscal activities, including revenue and expense reporting, balance sheet management, and reconciliations.
• Review and approve performance metrics established by managers and assist staff in achieving those standards

Financial Operations & Internal Controls

• Oversee department-wide financial operations to ensure successful execution of annual goals and strategic initiatives.
• Maintain systems of internal controls to safeguard financial assets and ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance.
• Resolve sensitive or controversial issues by incorporating multiple perspectives in decision-making.
• Address escalated employee or citizen complaints, developing long term resolutions to recurring issues.

Policy, Compliance & Reporting

• Create and administer policies and procedures; integrate workflows across functional areas for consistency and compliance.
• Ensure fiscal operations meet internal, local, state, and federal standards and reporting requirements.
• Oversee organizational reporting for funding agencies and ensure adherence to contract budgets and requirements.

Leadership & Division Management

• Direct a division within the department in areas such as finance, accounting, cash management, internal controls, compliance, and risk management.
• Select, train, develop, and evaluate subordinate staff; make decisions on hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
• Develop goals, document performance, provide ongoing feedback, and formally evaluate employee performance.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and direction to leaders within Finance & Accounting.
• Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including elected officials, City partners, and community organizations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Represent the department at meetings with City leadership, external partners, and community organizations.
• Ensure alignment of financial operations with Parks & Recreation’s mission, operational needs, and long term sustainability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

The ideal Director of Finance is a strategic, forward thinking leader who brings strong financial expertise, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to guiding a complex, high impact public organization.

They are a trusted thought partner to executive leadership, anticipate needs, and proactively bring ideas, insights, and solutions that strengthen Parks and Recreation’s financial health and operational effectiveness.

In addition, our ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualifications:

• Critical thinking and strategic decision making, with the ability to analyze complex issues, consider multiple perspectives, and recommend effective solutions.
• Capital finance experience, including planning, forecasting, and managing funding for capital projects and long term infrastructure investments.
• Strong data analytics skills and the ability to extract insights, evaluate financial trends, and inform organizational strategy through clear, actionable analysis.
• A proactive, idea forward approach, consistently coming to leadership with recommendations, improvements, and innovative solutions rather than waiting to be asked.
• A thought partner mindset, working alongside the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and senior leaders as a trusted advisor on financial strategy, risk, and opportunity.
• Experience with Workday and Accela or similar financial, permitting, or operational systems (preferred, but not required).
• Experience managing business operations with a proven ability to think strategically and drive results.
• Understanding of general accounting principles, government financial standards, and internal control best practices
• Five years of experience at the type and level of Financial Manager.
• Relevant certifications such as CPA, CGFM, or CPFO (preferred)

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field
• Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of financial functional or financial operational management, which must have included management of subordinate supervisors
• Education/Experience Equivalency: Two (2) years of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• License/Certifications: None

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CV2793 Financial Director

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$124,937.00 - $212,393.00

Target Pay

$124,937/year - $170,000/year, based on experience

Agency

Parks and Recreation

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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