Salary: $135,041.80 - $202,562.69 Annually
Location : Holly Springs, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Administration
Division: Budget, Innovation & Strategy
Opening Date: 10/08/2026
Closing Date: 10/22/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
The Town of Holly Springs is seeking an accomplished, strategic-thinking, and collaborative leader to serve as its Director of Budget, Innovation & Strategy. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of North Carolina's growing communities while leading the budgetary and strategic functions that support exceptional municipal services.
The Director will serve as a key member of the Town's senior leadership team and a trusted advisor to the Town Manager, Town Council, and departments across the organization. This position brings together strategic planning, budget leadership, capital planning, organizational performance, innovation, and executive-level problem solving. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who can translate big-picture priorities into sound budgetary plans, effective organizational strategies, and measurable results.
About the OpportunityThe Director of Budget, Innovation, and Strategy leads the Town's budget strategy, facilitates strategic planning, drives organizational performance, and serves as a trusted executive advisor. Reporting to the Chief of Staff in the Town Manager's Office, the Director works with considerable independence and serves as a critical connection point between the Town's strategic vision and its day-to-day operations. This position supervises two full-time Budget Analysts, a part-time grant writer, and a part-time graduate-level intern.
CompensationThe position is at the Senior Leadership Team (SLT-1) paygrade with a full range of $135,041 - $202,562. The anticipated recruitment range for this position is
$135,041 - $160,000. The Town may consider a salary above the recruitment range for candidates whose qualifications and experience substantially exceed the preferred qualifications. More detailed information on the Town's benefits package can be found on the Town website.
The positions responsibilities include:1.Manages the annual budget process; prepares documents and makes related budget recommendations. Collaborates with Managers, department heads and related staff to review, analyze, and clarify budget document submissions. Prepares required budget documents and attends budget hearings.
2.Provides daily budgetary management.
3.Provides leadership in attracting, retaining, and developing an engaged workforce in the delivery of superior services to Town residents and businesses.
4.Serves as a member of the executive management team and aligns program and practices with the strategic plan, mission, vision, and goals.
5.Establishes general direction and primary goals for operating departments for determination and development of operating budgets and capital improvement plans; proposes the annual budget and promotes a sustainable budget approach in recommending expenditures and projecting revenue.
6.Provides consultation and staff support to the Town Board, governing committees, and Town Manager. Provides financial, statistical, and analytical data.
7.Recommends and assists the Town Manager in development of long-range fiscal programs and financial management including maintaining the Five-Year Capital Plan Process (CIP).
8.Advises Town Manager and Town Board regarding fiscal impact of Board resolutions, ordinances, contracts, and staffing or program changes. Gives advice regarding budget variations.
9.Participates in the interview and selection process of new employees. Provides training and instructions. Assigns and reviews work and prepares performance evaluations. Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
10.Delegates responsibility to senior staff and monitors their performance. Addresses day-to-day issues and questions; initiates employee recognition, promotion, disciplinary action, and discharge processes as necessary and appropriate.
11.Provides leadership and management to all assigned staff. Supervises the work of and monitors and evaluates on-going performance of staff members; assesses and makes recommendations of training needs.
12.Responds to Town Manager and Town Council inquiries regarding matters related to the Town and ensures that Manager and Council directives are carried out.
13.Conducts research and prepares reports of proposed solutions or recommended courses of action, if requested.
14.Provides coordination of Town functions within the framework of a single, efficient governmental unit and recommends reorganization, development of new functions, or abandonment of old functions to the Town Council to improve coordination of Town operations; responds to situations or complaints that indicate lack of coordination.
15.Exercises vision and creativity in approaches to planning, coordination, and problem solving.
16.Coordinates the transaction of certain administrative business with Federal, State and local officials.
17.Serves as an ex-officio member of standing committees of the Town Council and attends meetings when appropriate, necessary or requested.
18.Coordinates, prepares and researches reports for the Town Council as necessary or requested by the Board.
19.Serves as resource person to the Town Council and committees and prepares material or data as requested for public hearings, investigative reports, etc.
20.Ensures enforcement of State laws, local ordinances, and other regulations pertaining to municipal operations.
What We're Looking ForThe Town is seeking a leader who combines budget acumen with strategic perspective, sound judgment with creativity, and executive presence with a collaborative approach.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable moving between big-picture strategy and detailed analysis. They will understand the realities of local government and appreciate the importance of responsible stewardship of public resources.
You may be a particularly strong fit if you:
• Think strategically while remaining attentive to operational details.
• Enjoy solving complex organizational and financial challenges.
• Can analyze substantial amounts of information and distill it into clear recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with elected officials, executives, employees, community stakeholders, and government partners.
• Build productive relationships across organizational boundaries.
• Understand that successful strategy depends on implementation.
• Are comfortable working with competing priorities, changing circumstances, and demanding deadlines.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion when dealing with sensitive information and complex interpersonal situations.
• Bring curiosity and creativity to organizational challenges.
• Value transparency, accountability, professionalism, and public service.
• Can respectfully challenge assumptions while building consensus around practical solutions.
• Are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a growing community.
Knowledge & ExpertiseThe successful candidate will possess knowledge of principles and practices related to:
• Municipal government operations and administration.
• Public administration and management.
• Municipal finance and budgeting.
• Strategic planning and organizational development.
• Long-range and short-range financial and operational planning.
• Capital improvement planning.
• Program and project management.
• Public policy and legislative processes.
• Personnel and supervisory practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Intergovernmental relations and community dynamics.
• Organizational performance and continuous improvement.
Minimum QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, social sciences, public administration, or a related field.
ExperienceAt least five years of progressively responsible public-sector management experience, including significant financial or budgetary responsibilities.
At least two years of supervisory experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered where appropriate.
Preferred QualificationsA master's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, finance, or a related field is preferred.
A certified North Carolina Local Government Budget Officer (or similar equivalent certification).
Additional experience in local government budgeting, strategic planning, organizational development, capital improvement planning, or executive-level local government administration is highly valued.
Experience as a North Carolina local government Budget Manager or Director is highly preferred.
The Work EnvironmentThis position works primarily in a professional office environment and requires frequent interaction with Town leadership, employees, elected officials, government partners, and members of the public.
The role involves substantial computer and written work, meetings, presentations, analysis, and communication. The position may require occasional walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting or carrying materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds.
The Director must be able to work effectively in an environment characterized by competing priorities, sensitive matters, changing circumstances, and occasional after-hours responsibilities associated with meetings, hearings, or urgent organizational needs.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.
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**Please read the question carefully** Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, social sciences, public administration, or a related field AND at least five years of progressively responsible public-sector management experience, including significant financial or budgetary responsibilities AND/OR an equivalent combination of education and experience?
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Do you have a valid N.C. Class C Driver's License or valid driver's license in any other state?
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Do you have at least two (2) years of supervisory experience?
Required Question
