Senior Director, Finance

Salary

$ - $

33 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43215

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

COTA s Sr. Director, Finance is responsible for ensuring the organization s financial integrity, operational efficiency, and administrative effectiveness. This position oversees core business functions including budget, capital finance, treasury, debt, revenue, grants management, and financial planning and analysis. The Sr. Director ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; supports transit operations through sound financial planning; and advances COTA s mission of delivering safe, reliable, and equitable public transportation.

This position oversees day-to-day operations of the Finance Division, collaborates with the CFO on high-priority initiatives, and serves as the CFO in their absence. Perform other duties in alignment with the COTA Strategic Plan and in support of the organization s vision to Move Every Life Forward.

• Leads and oversees all fiscal activities, including budget, capital finance, treasury, debt, revenue, grants management, and financial planning and analysis; ensures adherence to applicable policies, procedures, accounting standards, and required mandates.
• Oversees development of COTA s operating and capital budgets, providing financial analysis, forecasting, and reporting to support executive decision making and long range planning.
• Prepares and manages the Finance Division budget and serves as a strategic advisor, evaluating business opportunities, assessing economic alternatives, and recommending strategies that enhance organizational performance and cost effectiveness.
• Develops and implements financial processes and controls to manage costs and drive operational efficiencies; monitors financial systems and applications and oversees the implementation of new systems and enhancements supporting Finance Division operations.
• Supports long and short term financial planning efforts for submission to MORPC, FTA, and other regulatory bodies, as well as for internal planning purposes.
• Manages key relationships with financial institutions, including banking, p card, credit, advisory, ERP integration, and other financial service partners.
• Develops and refines fare policy strategies that preserve fare revenue, maximize ridership potential, support operational scalability, and strengthen the overall customer experience.
• Collaborates with Finance leadership to align and improve processes across shared work units.

• Requires a bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; a master s degree is preferred. A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in financial and administrative management is required, including at least five (5) years in a senior leadership role within a public agency, transit authority, or similar regulated government entity.
• CPA preferred but not required.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.