Assistant to the City Manager - Budget

Salary: $86,280.48 - $91,311.22 Annually
Location : 211 N. Henry St., Lancaster, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: City Manager's Office
Opening Date: 08/07/2026

Summary

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.

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 leadership, elected officials, employees, and the public.
• Conducts benchmarking, surveys, financial research, and comparisons with other municipalities and organizations to evaluate programs, services, costs, revenues, staffing, and financial practices.
• Researches and evaluates financial policies, procedures, practices, and processes and recommends improvements that promote efficiency, accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Coordinates with the Finance Department and City departments to help ensure accounting, revenue, expenditure, and financial processes remain consistent with the approved budget and organizational priorities.
• Maintains and analysis historical financial information, budget records, reports, forecasts, supporting documents, calendars, and related files.
• Coordinates information regarding departmental and organizational goals..
• Manages multiple complex assignments and deadlines during the annual budget process and throughout the fiscal year.
• Maintains confidentiality of financial, personnel, operational, and other sensitive City information.
• May be required to work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, to meet budget deadlines, attend meetings, support City Council activities, or respond during departmental or Citywide emergencies.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Completes special projects and performs other related duties as assigned by the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and/or Assistant City Manager.
• Review Statem National and World events for impact on City budget / Operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities - This position may provide project direction, coordination, or guidance to employees involved in assigned projects or initiatives but does not have regular supervisory responsibilities unless specifically assigned.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, or a closely related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal budgeting, financial analysis, government finance, accounting, fiscal operations, public administration, or a closely related field.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience may be considered.

Municipal or other governmental budgeting experience is strongly preferred.

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Annual operating and capital budget development
• Municipal or governmental finance
• Revenue and expenditure forecasting
• Capital Improvement Programs
• Financial and fiscal-impact analysis
• Performance measurement
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Long-range financial planning
• Executive or City Council reporting and presentations
• Financial policy or process improvement
• Governmental accounting or auditing

The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to:

• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate complex financial and budgetary information.
• Evaluate revenues, expenditures, forecasts, financial reports, budgets, and performance measures.
• Identify trends, discrepancies, risks, and potential financial concerns through data analysis.
• Develop practical recommendations based on financial and operational information.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, fiscal-impact analysis, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Communicate technical and financial information clearly to individuals with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Prepare professional reports and presentations for executive leadership and elected officials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City leadership, departments, employees, residents, and other stakeholders.
• Exercise sound independent judgment while working collaboratively within the City Manager's Office.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive financial and organizational information.

Proficiency with spreadsheet, database, accounting, financial reporting, project management, word processing, and other job-related software is expected.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

A valid Class C driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required. Driving is a requirement of this position.
The City of Lancaster offer a complete benefits packeage to full-time employees which includes: health care; paid holidays, vacation time, sick leave, retirement, longevity, tuition reimbersemet and more.

To learn more details, vist our
01

How many years of professional experience do you have with budget development, administration, monitoring, or financial analysis?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 7 years
• 7 or more years

02

Please describe your experience with budget development. Include your specific role in the process, the types of budgets you have worked with, and the responsibilities you personally handled.
03

How do you approach analyzing revenues, expenditures, and overall budget performance? Please describe the information you review, how you identify trends or variances, and how you use your findings to make recommendations.
04

What key elements would you consider when developing a financial forecast or long-range financial plan? Please explain how those elements would help you evaluate the organization's future financial position.
05

What is the value of a Capital Improvement Program, capital budget, or other long-term capital planning process to a municipality? Please describe the factors you believe should be considered when evaluating and prioritizing major capital projects.
Required Question