Senior Director, Finance

Senior Finance Director

The Senior Finance Director at the Tulsa Health Department provides strategic financial leadership to ensure the agency's long-term fiscal health, operational effectiveness, and ability to deliver high-impact public health services to the Tulsa community. This role oversees budgeting, grants management, financial reporting, compliance, and financial planning while serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director, division leaders, and county partners. The Senior Finance Director ensures that THD's financial resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with public health priorities. The role requires working knowledge of Government Finance and Accounting Standards, the ability to learn NACCHO financial preparedness recommendations, and the skill to translate financial data into actionable insights that guide business units toward performance goals while maintaining strong internal controls. This is a highly collaborative position that relies on strong internal partnerships across public health programs and external relationships with government agencies, auditors, funders, and community partners.

The following functions represent the majority of the duties performed by the position but are not meant to be all-inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary.

1. Provide strategic financial leadership that supports THD's mission, long-range planning, public health priorities, and overall fiscal sustainability.
2. Develop multi-year financial plans and forecasting models to guide long-term resource allocation and operational effectiveness.
3. Lead the annual budget development process, including multi-fund and grant-funded programs, ensuring compliance with county, state, and federal requirements.
4. Monitor expenditures, assess variance trends, and ensure budgets align with THD goals and regulatory expectations.
5. Identify new or non-traditional funding sources and diversify THD's revenue streams to strengthen financial resilience.
6. Oversee financial administration of federal, state, and private grants; ensure compliance with grantor rules, reporting deadlines, allowable costs, and proper allocation of funds.
7. Direct all financial reporting activities, including monthly statements, grant reports, audit schedules, and presentations to the Board of Health.
8. Ensure compliance with GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, state audit standards, and internal control requirements while maintaining audit readiness.
9. Strengthen internal controls, manage financial and operational risk, and ensure adherence to public sector financial standards and procurement policies.
10. Partner with program directors in epidemiology, clinical services, environmental health, and other divisions to support data-driven financial decision-making and responsible stewardship of resources.
11. Oversee procurement and contracting processes to ensure cost-effectiveness and adherence to county policies and grant rules.
12. Enhance financial systems, processes, and reporting tools through technology improvements, workflow optimization, and data-driven analytics.
13. Lead and develop finance, accounting, and grants staff, promoting a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
14. Serve as the primary liaison to external auditors, ensuring timely completion of audits and implementation of recommendations.
15. Present clear and actionable financial insights to THD leadership, the Executive Director, Board of Health, county officials, and community partners.
16. Represent THD in financial matters with governmental agencies, funders, auditors, and community stakeholders.
17. Complete training required in support of the duties and responsibilities of this position.
18. Other duties as assigned including those required to fulfill activities in support of public health emergency operations.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field required.
• Master's degree in finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field preferred

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, ideally in public health, government, or nonprofit sectors required.
• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting, grant compliance, and OMB Uniform Guidance.
• Experience managing multi-fund budgets, restricted funds, and complex grant portfolios.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and strategic planning skills.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Governmental Accounting: Deep knowledge of fund accounting, restricted funds, and multi-fund budgeting.
• Grant Compliance and Administration: Skilled in managing federal and state grants (CDC, HRSA, FEMA) and applying OMB Uniform Guidance.
• Financial Reporting: Ability to produce accurate, audit-ready financial reports for county, state, and federal stakeholders.
• Budget Development: Experience leading complex public-sector budget cycles from planning through execution.
• Financial Planning and Analysis: Capable of forecasting needs, modeling scenarios, and guiding long-term resource allocation.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Converts financial data into actionable insights that support program performance and public health outcomes.
• Risk Management: Identifies financial, compliance, and operational risks and develops effective mitigation strategies.
• Team Leadership: Leads finance, accounting, and grants teams with clarity, accountability, and strong communication.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively with epidemiology, clinical services, environmental health, HR, operations, and other program areas.
• Change Management: Guides process improvements, system implementations, and adaptation to new funding or regulatory requirements.
• Internal Controls: Ensures strong financial controls, policy adherence, and continuous audit readiness.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, state audit standards, and county procurement policies.
• Ethical Stewardship: Demonstrates accountability, transparency, and responsible management of public funds.
• Executive Communication: Communicates financial insights clearly to the Executive Director, Board of Health, and government partners.
• Community-Focused Mindset: Understands how financial decisions impact public health outcomes, access, and equity.
• Negotiation and Partnership: Builds effective relationships with vendors, auditors, grantors, and government agencies.
• Financial Systems Expertise: Experienced with ERP systems, grant management software, and public-sector accounting tools.
• Process Optimization: Streamlines workflows, improves reporting processes, and enhances financial efficiency.
• Data Visualization: Creates dashboards, KPIs, and other tools to provide leadership with clear, actionable financial information.

Licenses:

• Valid Oklahoma Driver's License
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) preferred.

INTERNALANDEXTERNAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Works closely with the Executive Director, program directors, division leaders, finance and grants staff, and internal operational teams.
• Regular interaction with county officials, state agencies, federal grantors, auditors, vendors, and community partners.
• Presents financial reports to the Tulsa City-County Board of Health.

Physical Effort:

• Requires ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Requires visual acuity to review financial reports, audit materials, and digital displays.
• Requires ability to communicate effectively in person, via telephone, and through digital platforms.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 20 lbs. may be required.

Supervisory Responsibility/Accountability:

Direct Supervision Finance, Accounting and Grants staff

Indirect Supervision all finance department employees, project teams or cross-functional workgroups

Budget/Money/Material Oversees THD multi-fund budgets and grant portfolios

Reports to Executive Director

Location On-site

Working Conditions:

• Primarily functions in a standard office environment.
• Regular exposure to indoor lighting, office equipment, frequent interruptions, and interaction with internal and external customers.
• Occasional travel to county, state, or federal offices, conferences, and meetings.

Special Requirements:

• Must maintain THD record confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations.
• Must possess ability and willingness to perform job-related travel.

FLSA Status: Exempt