Housing Finance Manager - Metro

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your finance experience and knowledge to help better the region that millions call home?  Are you a strategic thinker with a strong financial background who would like to have a substantive contribution to improving the housing crisis in the region?
 
 If so, we can use a partner like you……
 
 Metro is leveraging its unique position as the region’s government to address the housing crisis and help thousands end their homelessness. The 2018 Affordable Housing Bond charged Metro with the production of 3,900 units of affordable housing in partnership with counties, cities and housing authorities across the region. Building on this effort, in May of 2020, voters approved the Supportive Housing Services measure which funds homeless services and rent assistance to those experiencing homelessness or at extreme risk of homelessness. Metro works with Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties to reduce homelessness through programs and services that help people find and keep safe and stable homes. This is the largest per-capita investment in homeless services in our nation’s history, and the only regionally funded initiative. 

As the Housing Finance Manager, you will be part of the Metro Central Finance team and provide support to the Housing Department. Housing became a department at Metro in 2022 and has quickly grown to over 40 staff. You will help create processes, structure, and culture within this new department. The Finance Manager is a working manager, who provides higher level planning, forecasting and guidance for budget development and financial management as well as performing daily operational tasks related to business processes such as payables, contracting and reporting.

Based on the upfront training and building relationships with employees the initial schedule will be working in the office at least 1-3 days a week.  As the individual learns and develops in their role, they will have the ability to transition to a hybrid working model in the office and from home. In person would move to at least 2 days a month and as needed with the Housing Department. 

As the Housing Finance Manager you will

Financial Management and Analysis:

• Prepare the annual budget and the five-year financial forecasts for Affordable Housing ($447M) and Supportive Housing Services ($423M) funds. This includes the management of budget calendar and deadlines, creation and updating of departmental budget tools, preparation of presentation materials, communication of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) budget instructions and assumptions within the Housing department, working with staff and leadership to prepare budget and budget deliverables, updating narrative materials, and preparing technical, substantive, and administrative budget amendments at various stages during the year. 
• Develop complex financial planning models, analyze the results, and prepare strategy recommendations to stakeholders. 
• Financial reporting and analysis in the context of the housing departments responsibility of compliance and oversight.
• Prepare regular financial reports for the Affordable Housing Bond Oversight Committee and the Supportive Housing Services Oversight Committee. 
• Develop financial reporting templates for jurisdictional partners. 
• Work closely with the Revenue and Analytics Division on tax revenue forecasts and impacts.
• Review and analyze monthly financial reports for operational oversight.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports with metrics for the CFO and Agency leadership.
• Support accounting and payroll teams with year-end accruals and other duties, management of general ledger accounting needs for the Housing department (journal entries, reconciliations, etc.) and adhere to internal controls and financial policies/procedures.
• Produce other financial and metric reports as needed.

Relationship and Partner Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Housing Leadership Team. 
• Serve as the primary financial consultant and partner to managers and staff within the Housing Department. 
• Convene and lead regular meetings with SHS county partners.
• Present financial updates to the Affordable Housing Bond Oversight Committee and the Supportive Housing Services Oversight Committee. 
• Develop relationships with the Metro Central Finance team – a team of Finance Managers and budget staff who support all of Metro’s departments. 
• Engage with teams and personnel throughout the agency.

Project Management:

• Develop a strong understanding of the programs and projects within the Housing department to be able to provide financial support. 
• Manage, research, and implement special projects as requested by CFO or Housing leadership. 
• Develop financial policies, improve financial processes, manage software upgrades, and participate in Metro steering committees, along with other duties. 
• Supervise, initiate, and execute contracts on an as needed basis.

Supervision and Staff Management:

• Manage daily workflow for department finance staff; assign work, ensure project tasks and priority issues are addressed.
• Provide supervision to professional and technical staff, including hiring, promoting, transferring, assigning, evaluating performance, disciplining, and discharging.
• Develop successful and supportive work culture that is inclusive, flexible, and understanding.

Attributes for success

• Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting and budget control. 

• Ability to be successful in an environment of rapid change and where ambiguity exists.
• Ability to navigate the needs of various stakeholders and find an equitable consensus and outcome. 
• Systems thinker with advanced critical thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Advanced ability to mediate and resolve planning issues involving opposing interest groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Advanced ability to present financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance professionals and stakeholders. 
• Self-driven and interested in finding areas for improvement, development processes and using financial analysis to drive operational decisions.
• Foster workplace diversity values and outreach in program execution and delivery.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; AND
• Five years management or supervisory experience; AND
• At least 3 years of that experience in a Finance/Budgetary role; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Required to be in the office at least twice a month with FRS and as needed by the Housing Department. 

Required qualifications

The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a criminal background check prior to being hired. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework  

Based on the upfront training and building relationships with employees the initial schedule will be working in the office at least 1-3 days a week.  As the individual learns and develops in their role, you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Applicable Professional Certification (CPA, CMA, CPFO, CGFMP preferred skills)
• Prior experience managing a team of Finance specialists
• Prior experience managing in a unionized environment
• Direct experience with governmental budgeting and accounting

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed Resume that includes the details for each employer
  1. Name of employer, working title  
  2. Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time your title, 
  3. Number of employees supervised 
  4. Summary of your responsibilities
• A cover letter addressing how you are qualified and interested in this position.  

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $127,554.84 to step 6 $162,795.64. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1 127,554.84 to the equity range Step 3 $140,629.52 

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Finance Manager.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description Finance Manager 

Questions?

Talent Acquisition Specialist:  Kara Hill