Date of Posting: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Job Title: Chief Financial Officer
Appointing Authority: Mayor Jared C. Nicholson
Salary
$160,000-$210,000, plus benefits
OVERVIEW
This position is responsible for planning, developing, overseeing, and implementing the City's overall financial strategy as directed by the Mayor including long-range financial plans, annual municipal and capital budgets, long-term liabilities, and the City's bond rating. This position oversees and coordinates multiple City departments, including the Assessors, Comptroller, Purchasing, Treasurer/Collector, and Capital Projects departments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Oversees the City’s Chief Finance Office, including the departments of the Assessors, Comptroller, Purchasing, Treasurer/Collector, and Capital Projects. Meets regularly with direct reports to support, guide and empower them to work collaboratively to support the financial operations of the City.
• Implements and maintains uniform systems, controls, and procedures for all financial activities in all departments, including the school department, boards, commissions, agencies or other units of City government the operations of which have a financial impact upon the general fund and enterprise funds of the City, and including, but not limited to, maintaining all financial and accounting data and records.
• Meets regularly to inform the Mayor and advise as to strategy regarding current and future operational needs, capital needs, legislative changes, and any other financial circumstances that may affect City operations.
• Develops multi-year forecasts for budgeting and planning purposes. Responsible for overall budget management, including tracking and ensuring that anticipated revenue meets or exceeds budget expenditures and monitoring departmental spending to certify expenses align with budget.
• Monitors the Lynn Public Schools budget for constant and consistent compliance with Net School Spending.
• Attends meetings of the City Council, subcommittees, and various boards and committees to brief on pending agenda items and other City issues. Responds to inquiries and provides Council Members and other officials with information on the status of City operations and projects; provides analysis as needed to assist the Mayor, Council, and boards and committees to make informed policy decisions.
• Serves on the City’s collective bargaining negotiating team.
• Serves as primary member of the Health Trust fund and benefits administration.
• Performs financial and managerial analyses for the Mayor and City Council pertaining to City operations and programs. Evaluates data and makes recommendations based on findings. Prepares financial reports and projections and makes necessary presentations to the Mayor and, as needed, to the City Council and other interested parties.
• Develops the annual operating and capital budgets, including preparing annual budget and reviewing departmental budget requests for inclusion in the Mayor's recommendation to the City Council. Verifies compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.
• Confirms the City engages in cost effective purchasing procedures and is in compliance with Massachusetts Laws governing public procurement. Reviews contracts for cost savings.
• Performs other related job duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under policy direction, serves as the chief financial officer of the governing body and has authority over the municipality in conformance with policy directives and objectives set forth by the governing body. Seeks counsel of governing body only on matters of policy adjustment or where required by law.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
As a regular and continuing part of the job, the employee is accountable for the direction and success of staff they manage; analyzes program objectives, determines the various work operations needed to achieve them. Responsible for creating budgets; recommending operational and staff resources; and allocating available funds and staff. Formulates and recommends program goals and develops plans for achieving short and long-range objectives, determines operating guidelines, work operations, and procedures. Responsible for staff performance, evaluation, and discipline.
JUDGMENT AND COMPLEXITY
The work involves serving as the authority for executive, administrative, or organizational policies, general principles, regulations, legislation, and directives.
NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Serves as the functional area authority, contacts are with co-workers, the public, representatives of organizations, and groups and involve interactions with those who may have conflicting opinions or objectives, diverse points of view, or differences where achieving compromise is required to secure support, concurrence, or compliance.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The employee has regular access to a wide variety of confidential records and information at the department level requiring discretion in interactions, attention to detail in handling information and records, and responsibility for following security protocols.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business management or related field plus 7 to 10 years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and experience. Experience as a chief financial officer or senior finance official in a Massachusetts municipality highly preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of municipal management including labor relations, collective bargaining, procurement, financial management, and budgeting, and relevant Massachusetts General Law. In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and procedures, with experience in balancing and reconciling accounts and ledgers
• Effective skills in preparing budgets and providing fiscal analysis on a large scale. Expertise in budgeting, financial forecasting, and managing both operating and capital budgets. Strong skills in accounting software, with experience in training, maintaining, and improving integrated accounting systems. Experience in overseeing, training, and managing staff, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in daily operations.
• Ability to gather and interpret statistical and technical information and prepare reports. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and City officials. Ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations and written correspondence with the broadest range of development participants including federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials, the media, business, and community leaders. Ability to prepare complex financial reports, statistical statements, and year-end closing reports, including certification of free cash and tax rate establishment.
• Ensure impartiality, objectivity, and transparency when reviewing and evaluating departmental financial requests and determining the allocation of financial resources, using established criteria, organizational priorities, and fiscal responsibility to guide recommendations.
PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Work is performed primarily indoors and may include traveling to other locations.
• Work involves sitting or standing to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and stretching. Work may also require moving and relocating objects such as files, boxes of paper, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Motor skills require moving objects, filing, and sorting documents, and using office equipment such as hand-held technology, telephones, and computers.
• Routinely reads documents for general understanding and analytical purposes, including handwriting, spreadsheets, and forms; inspects surroundings and fine details to assess conditions of materials and equipment; and reviews detailed information displayed on a computer screen.
This position is subject to confirmation by the Lynn City Council.
How To Apply
A completed application, with resume, cover letter, and other supporting materials, can be submitted via:
- Email ([email protected])
- Regular Post
- In-Person at Human Resources, Room 307 in Lynn City Hall
If submitting via e-mail, please include the “JOB TITLE” in the subject line. Application review will begin the week of November 1st and continue until the position is filled. Those who apply before Tuesday, November 3rd will receive priority consideration.
Job Title: "Chief Financial Officer"
Closing Date: Open Until Filled (Application Review Begins Week of November 1, 2026)
* When applicants are substantially similar in terms of qualifications, preference will be given to candidates who have resided in the City of Lynn for a continuous twelve-month period prior to the date of posting.
The City of Lynn is an Equal Opportunity Employer!
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If you have any questions about the application process or need assistance, please call (781) 598-4000 or email us at [email protected].