Assistant to City Manager - Budget

Assistant to the City Manager – Budget

Help turn financial data into strategic decisions that shape Lancaster's future.

The City of Lancaster is seeking a highly analytical, collaborative, and strategic professional to serve as Assistant to the City Manager – Budget within the City Manager's Office.

This position serves as a key resource to executive leadership in the development, analysis, administration, and long-range planning of the City's financial priorities. The Assistant to the City Manager – Budget coordinates the City's annual budget process, supports development of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), prepares financial forecasts and analysis, monitors departmental budget performance, and provides recommendations that support responsible and effective use of City resources.

Working closely with the City Manager's Office, Finance Department, department directors, and other City leadership, this position transforms complex financial and operational information into clear recommendations for executive leadership and City Council.

The ideal candidate is more than someone who enjoys working with numbers. We are looking for someone who can see the story behind the numbers, identify trends and concerns, ask the right questions, develop solutions, and clearly communicate what the information means for City operations and future priorities.

At the City of Lancaster, we take PRIDE in the services we provide and the community we serve. This position supports those values through responsible stewardship of public resources, thoughtful analysis, collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads and coordinates the development and administration of the City's annual operating and capital budgets, including development of budget instructions, calendars, departmental submissions, reports, presentations, and related materials.
• Works closely with the City Manager's Office, Finance Department, department directors, and staff throughout the organization to evaluate departmental budget requests, financial needs, priorities, and proposed adjustments.
• Reviews and analysis departmental budget proposals and funding requests for accuracy, completeness, financial impact, operational need, and alignment with City priorities.
• Prepares financial analysis and recommendations regarding funding levels, programs, services, personnel, operating costs, revenues, expenditures, and other financial matters for consideration by the City Manager's Office.
• Develops and analysis multi-year financial forecasts for major City funds, including projected revenues, expenditures, financial trends, and potential future impacts.
• Coordinates and supports development of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) by working with departments to identify projects, costs, timelines, priorities, and potential funding sources.
• Monitors City revenues and expenditures and analysis monthly and periodic financial reports to identify trends, variances, potential overages, funding concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Conducts fiscal-impact analysis related to proposed programs, services, initiatives, staffing, capital projects, policies, and other City decisions.
• Performs cost-benefit analysis and evaluates funding or financing alternatives for programs, projects, and operational requests.
• Develops and monitors financial and departmental performance measures associated with the City's annual budget, strategic priorities, and organizational goals.
• Coordinates with department directors and staff to monitor budget performance and assist departments in addressing budgetary concerns, necessary adjustments, and changing financial conditions.
• Provides financial and budgetary information, analysis, reports, and recommendations to the City Manager, executive leadership, and City Council as requested.
• Prepares and assists with executive-level presentations, budget workshops, City Council presentations, Town Hall materials, reports, and other financial communications.
• Translates complex financial and technical information into clear, understandable reports, presentations, and recommendations for executive…