Municipal Business Manager – Public Works Ops

Location: 333 Washington Street
Brookline, MA, 02445

Business Manager
Brookline DPW – Central Administration
Hourly Rate: $39.16 | 37.5 hours weekly

Brookline DPW’s Central Admin office is seeking a detail-driven and service-oriented Business Manager to oversee the central business operations of the Department of Public Works. This hands-on administrative and supervisory role is responsible for customer service office management, financial processing, utility account administration, contract administration, budget preparation and forecasting, permitting support, and the supervision and cross-training of administrative staff. If you excel at accuracy, efficiency, and teamwork in a fast-moving municipal environment, we invite you to apply to join this dedicated and professional team.

About Us:

DPW Central Administration supports all Public Works divisions and serves as the hub for business operations, fiscal stewardship, and high-quality customer service for Brookline residents, contractors, and partner departments. We value professionalism, responsiveness, and continuous improvement in everything we do.

Responsibilities

As the Business Manager, you will:

• Independently manage DPW’s central business operations, including the customer service office, accounts payable and receivable, and contract administration.
• Prepare purchase requisitions, purchase orders, payment vouchers, and vendor payments; maintain financial tracking systems, account balances, and reports.
• Administer departmental contracts, including preparation, routing, approval tracking, and record maintenance; coordinate with internal staff and vendors.
• Oversee utility accounts by monitoring bills, consumption trends, and funding allocations; reconcile activity, prepare annual forecast and budget, and analyze usage and cost trends for reporting.
• Coordinate police details and related billing, tracking, scheduling, reports, reconciliation, and payments.
• Prepare, run, and analyze budget and financial reports; support annual budget development and special projects; monitor expenditures and identify variances.
• Support DPW permitting functions, including street opening and occupancy permits; track payments, maintain records, and follow up on outstanding balances.
• Supervise, schedule, and cross-train assigned administrative staff (typically 2–5 employees); hire, assign work, and maintain a positive and accountable work environment.
• Manage onboarding and offboarding, position control, rosters, building and system access, contact directories, and personnel documentation.
• Oversee and improve business systems, customer service platforms, and effective communication from the Department.
• Research rates, fees, structures for comparable services and provide analysis and recommendations for associated departmental programs and services.
• Create annual budget reports.
• Coordinate payroll processing, incident reports, and general office operations.
• Support workflow improvements, department communications, technology systems, language access, and ADA compliance.
• Assist with claims related to public construction activity and support emergency operations when needed, including possible evening or weekend availability.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For:

We seek a highly organized and collaborative Business Manager with strong financial, administrative, and supervisory skills who is ready to contribute to a busy municipal department.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, public administration, or a related field; five years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or business financial administration, billing, purchasing, or office management, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of…