Transit Finance Manager
Salary
$105,086.02 - $126,525.88 Annually
Location
Madison, WI
Job Type
PERMANENT FULL TIME
Job Number
2025-00312
Department
Metro Transit
Opening Date
08/06/2025
Closing Date
8/18/2025 11:59 PM Central
Comp. Group/Range
44/15
General Description
Be a Key Player in Metro Transit’s Evolution!
Metro Transit is growing, and we’re looking for a skilled and motivated Transit Finance Manager to join our leadership team. With more than 500 employees and a budget of over $70 million, we’re one of the largest City agencies—and we’re in an exciting period of transformation.
In this role, you'll lead a team handling payroll, purchasing, and accounting. You’ll play a big part in rolling out a new agencywide technology system, and helping shape how we manage our resources for years to come.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Developing and managing Metro Transit’s capital and operating budgets and financial statements
- Setting up strong financial systems and internal controls
- Overseeing payroll, procurement, and personnel processes
- Supervising how we use the City’s finance software
- Coordinating grant funding within our financial systems
- Analyzing data and providing strategic financial recommendations
You’ll also ensure that racial equity is at the heart of everything we do in Finance—from daily operations to long-term planning.
Reporting directly to the Transit Chief Administrative Officer, you'll be part of Metro’s Senior Management Team and will be trusted to make key decisions with a high level of independence and professionalism.
Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.
Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
IMPORTANT: THERE ARE SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THIS POSTING. YOU MUST UPLOAD YOUR ESSAYS IN THE ATTACHMENT SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.
**APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT YOUR ESSAYS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION. **
To view the questions, click on the supplemental questions tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Budgeting, Accounting, and Financial Policies
- Develop and administer Metro Transit's accounting operations, including systems and procedures, financial reporting and budgeting, and capital asset accounting
- Develop and maintain accounting procedures and financial policies
- Develop and maintain financial forecast with a focus on cash flow to ensure a healthy cash reserve
- Interpret data in reports and financial statements
- Conduct or coordinate internal audits of records and systems used for internal control
- Research and develop information for the preparation of capital and operating budgets
- Work to monitor and integrate grant funds into financial operations and systems
- Review and summarize budget requests and assist management in developing budget item justifications and related information
- Coordinate budgetary process with the City Finance Department
- Monitor systems, gather information and perform analytical work relating to specific problems such as organizational workflow, forms design and work coordination
- Plan and coordinate studies to evaluate the effectiveness of Metro operations and prepare recommendations designed to affect economies of time, money, personnel and equipment
- Lead annual external financial audit
- Lead financial matters for the transit utility, consulting with the City Finance Director, Transit General Manager, and Transit Chief Administrative Officer
Supervising and Managing Staff
- Supervise, train, and assign work to professional staff
- Oversee finance unit directly and through a front-line supervisor
- Consult on disciplinary and employee grievance issues as necessary
Systems, Contracts, and Reporting
- Supervise the preparation of purchasing specifications and contracts
- Research and prepare special reports as requested for all Metro units
- Supervise and/or coordinate the use of the City's finance-specific software, including implementation of new software systems
- Supervise the development and preparation of plans and programs for maintaining, enhancing, and/or expanding finance-specific software
- Directly and through a front-line supervisor, oversee payroll functions, including collaborating with other Metro units (HR, Operations etc.) to ensure efficient, accurate and timely submissions that are compliant with the union contract and labor law
- Assure compliance with governing standards, ordinances and contract provisions
- Act as a liaison between Metro and other governmental agencies in dealing with day-to-day fiscal, budgetary, and related operations
- Represent Metro Transit to public agencies and groups on specific financial programs or projects.
Perform related work as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Five (5) years’ experience in financial leadership with a principal role in developing and implementing professional accounting and administrative programs and systems, in any of the following areas: fiscal planning and analysis, budget development, or financial statement development; and
- Such experience will include at least two (2) years’ supervisory experience in a financial or other role
-OR-
- Associate’s or higher degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field with coursework and/or internship demonstrating basic training in relevant topics (e.g. accounting, business administration, economics, finance, public administration, public policy)'
- Three (3) years’ experience in financial leadership with a principal role in developing and implementing professional accounting and administrative programs and systems, in any of the follow areas: fiscal planning and analysis, budget development or financial statement development, and
- Such experience will include at least two (2) years’ supervisory experience in a financial or other role
Experience in a governmental or non-profit setting a plus but not required.
The City of Madison strives to provide excellent service to all of its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.
For a complete list of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.
Special Requirements
The employee will be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
Ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily in an office environment, sitting or standing at a desk, working with a computer and standard office equipment
Employee will work full time on site.
