Manager Financial Operations

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 180,000 residents, is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College

Our Organization

2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service. Our team ensures the community thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: An award-winning Parks and Outdoors system and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge digital equity and smart-city programs.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck.
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• ​The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground:  Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it.  As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim.  Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• ​Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, revitalized, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

Salary: 
With BS degree $40.87/hour
With MA or BS with License $42.99/hour

FLSA Status:  This is an Exempt position.  
Work Schedule:  Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  
This position works 260 days per year, 8 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work  assignments and projects. 
Department: Early Learning 
Location: Head Start Administrative Office, 2302 Ocoee St, Chattanooga, TN 37406 

SUMMARY:
Chattanooga Head Start is a grant-funded program, and is subject to reapplication every 5 years.
The Manager of Financial Operations position is responsible for maximizing the return on financial  assets by establishing policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. This position ensures  the legal and regulatory compliance for all accounting and financial reporting functions. The  Manager of Financial Operations also oversees cost and general accounting, accounts payable,  accounts receivable/collection and payroll and risk management. The Manager of Financial  Operations acts as a senior member of the Agency’s management team and ensures managers  receive timely and accurate financial reports by which to make data-driven decisions. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all  employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and  responsibilities.  

Guides financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and  procedures. 

Protects assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls. 

Maximizes return and limits risk on cash by minimizing the time between cash  disbursements and Payment Management drawdowns. 

Provides status of financial condition of the company to the governing body, management  team, and other stakeholders by collecting, interpreting, and reporting key financial data.

Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by researching existing  and new legislation, consulting with outside advisors, and filing financial reports. Advises  management of actions and potential risks. 

Arranges for audits as required and appropriate. 

Assists the management team with completing grant applications, to include completion of  the financial section in the Head Start Enterprise System. 

Manages budget and controls expenses effectively, ensuring that grant funds are expended  in and allocated to the appropriate grant period. 

Maintains the salary chart and assigns pay rates. 

Hires, trains, develops, and appraises staff effectively. Takes corrective action as necessary  on a timely basis and in accordance with company policy. Consults with Human Resources  as appropriate. 

Supervises Finance department staff to ensure smooth day to day transactions (overseeing  payroll, accounts payable and fiscal analysis). 

Keeps up-to-date on information and technology affecting functional area(s) to increase  innovation and ensure compliance. 

Performs other relevant responsibilities as required by the program. 

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

BA Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Financial Management, or other closely  related field required. Master’s preferred. 

6+ years experience working in an accounting department in a mid-sized company required.

Five (5) years working in a government accounting department plus 3-5 years managing the  accounting function of a mid-sized company, of which one (1) year must have been in a  supervisory capacity is preferred. 

Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions  of the position will be considered. 

Federal Grants experience preferred. 

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None.  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

Knowledge of: 

General, government, and cost accounting principles, methods, and techniques

Effective budgeting principles, methods, and techniques 

Government finance standards for budget reporting and disclosures 

Statistical theory and applications  

Code and related federal regulations 

Revenue forecasting practices  

Effective supervision principles and practice

Skills in: 

Proven experience developing and managing budgets 

Provide technical and policy leadership and direction

Prepare and present financial reports and documentation  

Use computer software related to job specific duties 

Perform economic forecasting 

Perform financial analysis and interpretation  

Effectively use financial database programs  

Analyze and make recommendations for procedures and financial processes  

Strong understanding of the Uniform Guidance and Federal grants 

Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  
Positions in this class typically require: walking, standing, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling,  talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  
MEDIUM WORK - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

This position is classified as Medium Work in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, which require staff to ensure the health and safety of children. This may include the direct supervision of children and/or the ability to respond promptly and effectively in the event of an emergency at a Head Start center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Safety Sensitive: N  
Department of Transportation - CDL: N 
Child Sensitive: Y 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: 
This position is subject to pre-employment screenings, which include a background check, drug screening, lift test, TB screening questionnaire and/or TB skin test (as determined by initial results), complete physical examination, Hepatitis B titer, and fingerprinting. Ongoing requirements include a physical reexamination on an annual or bi-annual basis and fingerprint clearance every five years.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the  Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified  individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss  potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 7.23.25