Applicants should apply by May 6, 2026
The City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina—honored with multiple Government Finance Officers Association Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and a AAA bond rating —is seeking an accomplished and visionary Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee its financial operations. This is a unique opportunity for a proven financial leader to join a management team that is positioning the organization for long-term success through a focus on strategic initiatives and implementation of best practices.
The CFO serves as a key member of the City’s executive leadership team, responsible for sound financial stewardship, maintaining fiscal transparency, and strengthening financial comprehension internally with staff and departments and externally with elected officials, residents, and stakeholders. Working with a team of both experienced and recent members, the next CFO will play a leading role in building the departmental culture, implementing best financial practices, and establishing clear, consistent direction for financial excellence with organizational partners.
About the Community, Organization, Department and Position:
Winston-Salem, the fifth largest city in North Carolina, is often referred to as the “City of Arts and Innovation.” Take a virtual tour to experience all that this vibrant community has to offer. The City of Winston-Salem operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The organization employs approximately 3,000 full-time and part-time staff across 27 departments and operates with an adopted FY2025-26 budget of $724.7 million.
The Finance Department is organized into six divisions—administration, accounting/financial reporting, payroll, treasury, revenue, and risk management, ensuring accurate fiscal management and compliance with applicable standards. More information about the Finance Department can be found here.
Reporting to an Assistant City Manager, the CFO leads the Finance Department, overseeing an $8.6 million budget and a team of 45 full-time employees, including two direct reports: a Deputy Financial Officer and an Assistant Financial Officer. The CFO advises the City Council on financial matters and serves as administrator of the City’s pension fund. The CFO will have the exciting opportunity to steward long-term continuity by capturing institutional knowledge and fostering a culture of mentorship to bridge the gap between past experiences and future innovation. Success in this position will require fostering a culture of continued open dialogue and seamless interdepartmental partnerships, providing consistent financial guidance, and aligning the department with the organization’s strategic efforts. This position must also continue to adhere to the exacting standards of timeliness and integrity in financial reporting. This is a prime opportunity to showcase the City’s fiscal excellence and build a lasting foundation of continued community trust through proactive transparency and collaboration.
Qualifications:
· A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required, a master’s degree in Public Administration or a Finance-related field is highly preferred.
· A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in government financial leadership and administration including 3-5 years of supervisory experience is required.
· Local government experience is required.
· CPA and GFOA Certification are preferred but not required.
Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $156,843 to $243,013, with a midpoint of $199,928, based on qualifications and experience. Information about benefits can be found on the City’s website. The CFO is required to establish residency within 30 miles of the city limits, within 180 days of employment.
To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on theChief Financial Officer – City of Winston-Salem, NC title.
• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (linkabove) – NOT the city’s employment application portal or any other external website.
• Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
• Applicants should apply by May 6, 2026, to be considered during the first round of reviews.
• The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluationson June 4-5, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should theybe invited to participate, as these dates are fixed.
• Direct all inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com.
The City of Winston-Salem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates, LLC, manages therecruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visithttps://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, select “Client Openings," and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”
