Director of Management and Budget

The Goverment

Schenectady County is one of 23 Charter Counties in New York State. With an all-funds budget of $460,000,000, County government's nearly 1,400 employees provide a wide range of high-quality services to the County's 162,000 residents.

Under its 1965 charter, Schenectady County's day-to-day operations are the responsibility of a professional County Manager and staff. Schenectady County was the first county in New York to be recognized under the council - manager form by the International City / County Management Association.

Schenectady County government has a demonstrated commitment to innovation, growth, and public service, valuing its employees and investing in their success. Schenectady County strives to provide an inclusive workplace,m fostering collaboration and professional development.

The Opportunity

Schenectady County seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking Director of Management and Budget to lead its financial strategy and drive innovation in public sector budgeting. This is a high-impact leadership role for a seasoned municipal finance professional who excels in performance-based budgeting, multi-year forecasting, and aligning fiscal decisions with organizational mission and values.

Reporting directly to, and working closely with, the County Manager, the Director will guide development of a structurally balanced budget, enhance financial transparency, and produce clear, data-driven reports for both the Legislature and the public. The Director will also play a key part in strengthening departmental budget practices and building a culture of accountability and results across the organization.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity to recruit and mentor a new team of budget analysts, expand analytical capacity, and modernize financial systems using tools like MUNIS and Excel. The ideal candidate brings strong communication skills, public sector experience in New York State, and the ability to translate complex fiscal data into actionable insights.

With an expected salary range of $125,000–$150,000 and a comprehensive benefits package, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact in a progressive, mission-driven county government committed to transparency, innovation, and good governance. The position is open until filled and candidates are encouraged to apply by May 14, 2026

The Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Director of Management and Budget is a seasoned finance professional with expertise in municipal budgeting, financial planning, and performance based management.

The role focuses on budget development and management, guiding departments in building monitoring and preparation capabilities while aligning financial decisions with the County’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and values. Strong experience in programmatic budgeting, multi-year forecasting, and structurally balanced budgets is essential.

This hands-on, collaborative leader will work closely with the County Manager, preparing communications for the Legislature and public, including quarterly performance reports and the annual budget, with support from the County’s Department of Finance under the leadership of the Commissioner of Finance.

The Director will recruit and mentor a team of Management Analysts, building capacity across the organization. Key experiences include prior local government service in New York State, comfort presenting complex financial information to elected officials, and familiarity with performance measurement and benchmarking.

The candidate will navigate external relationships with: nonprofits under Public Benefit Contracts; the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority; SUNY Schenectady; the City of Schenectady; the State of New York; and other entities, supporting collaboration and transparency across agencies.

The Director must exercise sound judgment, analyze complex fiscal situations, and communicate solutions clearly for diverse audiences. Critical thinking, leadership, and technology skills — including Excel, ERP (MUNIS), and reporting — are essential, along with the ability to train staff from all departments in budgeting processes and financial management practices.

Challenges include guiding departments toward sustainable, structurally balanced budgets; implementing multi-year projections; supporting performance narratives for Legislature and public; developing and implementing real-time position control systems; and providing ERP and financial training to selected staff across departments. The ideal candidate will view these challenges as opportunities to make a lasting contribution to good government in a progressive administration under Charter governance.

The Challenges

In partnership with the County Manager, the Director of Management and Budget will play a central role in guiding the County’s financial strategy, building analytical and operational capacity, and ensuring disciplined, transparent, and strategic execution across a complex and evolving organization.

• FY2027 County Budget Development: For many years, the County budget was balanced through application of Fund Balance, the use of which proved unnecessary at year end. Recently, year-end closure has required the actual use of Appropriated Fund Balance. Under the County Manager's direction, the Director will collaborate with Finance staff leadership in development and submission of a FY2027 Tentative Budget reducing by at least 50% the application of Fund Balance to operating costs.

• Structurally Balanced Budget: The strategic goal of achieving a sustainably structurally balanced County Budget in future years, without reliance on Fund Balance, will be achieved by integrating programmatic, performance-based, and multi-year financial planning principles, preparing a comprehensive fiscal calendar outlining key dates and processes for successful development and ensuring alignment with the County’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and values.

• Oversee FY2026 Budget Management: The Director will monitor departmental spending to minimize actual expenditures and assess areas of over-budgeting. This includes guiding departments to strengthen their own budget monitoring and preparation capabilities, ensuring efficient use of resources throughout the fiscal year.

• Develop Quarterly Reports and Performance Analyses: The Director will produce forward-looking reports for the Legislature, combining enterprise-level and department-level projections with clear narrative insights. These reports will enhance transparency, accountability, and decision-making, with close coordination with the County Manager on communications.

• Recruit, Develop, and Lead Budget Analysts: The Director will hire and mentor an initial team of management/budget analysts, building analytical capacity across departments. This priority includes fostering a collaborative team culture and supporting staff in forecasting, monitoring, and performance measurement.

• Enhance Financial Systems and Reporting Tools: The Director will leverage technology, including ERP (MUNIS) and Excel, to improve real-time tracking of expenditures, position control, and reporting. This ensures monthly, quarterly, and annual reports are accurate, timely, and actionable, supporting data-driven decisions at both department- and enterprise-level.

• Support Multi-Year Budget Forecasting and Stakeholder Collaboration: The Director will develop revenue and expense projections based on clear assumptions, implement performance benchmarking, and help departments communicate objectives and outcomes. The role also includes building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including County departments, the Legislature, nonprofits, the City of Schenectady, SUNY Schenectady, and the State of New York

The Process

Pracademic Partners, an executive search firm, is assisting Schenectady County with this recruitment.

With an expected salary range of $125,000–$150,000 and a comprehensive benefits package, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact in a progressive, mission-driven county government committed to transparency, innovation, and good governance.

The position is open until filled and first review of applications will take place on May 14. 

Learn more and apply through the Pracademic Partners portal:

https://www.pracademicpartners.com/current-recruitments

Pracademic Partners welcomes the opportunity to connect with you or discuss potential candidates.

A recruitment brochure is available here .