Deputy CFO - Budget Director
ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.
As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer plays a central role in shaping how Detroit’s values become real through public investment. Beyond balancing revenues and expenditures, the office helps determine where the City places its priorities, how resources are distributed across neighborhoods, and how government delivers on its commitments to residents. As Detroit enters a new chapter under Mayor-Elect Sheffield, the OCFO is focused on using the budget as a strategic instrument to advance equity, transparency, and measurable outcomes — ensuring that public dollars support housing stability, economic opportunity, public health, safety, and high-quality services in every neighborhood.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Deputy CFO – Budget Director serves as Detroit’s lead architect of public investment strategy. This role oversees the City’s operating and capital budgets while reimagining the budget process as a vehicle for policy implementation, accountability, and trust-building. The Director partners closely with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, department leadership, and community stakeholders to ensure that Detroit’s budget reflects the Administration’s priorities and the lived realities of Detroiters. This is a mission-critical leadership role for a fiscal strategist who believes budgets are moral documents — capable of accelerating progress, correcting inequities, and delivering tangible improvements in people’s daily lives.
This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:
Position Detroit’s budget as a core driver of the Mayor’s agenda for equity, opportunity, and neighborhood-level impact
Align annual and multi-year budgets with priorities such as affordable housing, homelessness prevention, workforce development, public health, small-business growth, and service excellence
Embed equity and outcomes-based analysis into budget decisions to ensure resources flow to communities with the greatest needs and opportunities
Modernize the City’s budget process to be more transparent, accessible, and responsive to residents and stakeholders
Strengthen cross-departmental coordination so investments work together rather than in silos
Use data, performance metrics, and community feedback to guide budget decisions and course-correct when needed
Support long-term fiscal sustainability while making bold, values-driven investments that shape Detroit’s future
This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.
Core responsibilities include:
Lead the development and execution of Detroit’s annual operating and capital budgets in close partnership with City leadership and departments
Translate the Mayor’s policy priorities into actionable budget strategies that deliver measurable results
Guide departments through an inclusive, outcomes-focused budget process that prioritizes impact over incrementalism
Develop multi-year financial plans, forecasts, and scenarios that support both near-term delivery and long-term sustainability
Analyze spending proposals and provide strategic recommendations that balance fiscal responsibility with community needs
Prepare clear, compelling budget materials for executive leadership, City Council, and public audiences
Collaborate with performance and data teams to strengthen results-based budgeting and accountability
Monitor budget performance throughout the fiscal year and recommend adjustments to stay aligned with policy goals
Ensure compliance with state and local budget requirements while advancing innovation in public finance practices
Build and lead a high-performing budget team grounded in collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, economics, finance, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
Seven or more years of senior-level experience in public-sector budgeting, financial planning, or fiscal policy
Demonstrated experience using budget processes to advance policy priorities and organizational change
Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively
Experience working in large, complex municipal or governmental organizations
Commitment to equity-centered governance, transparency, and resident accountability
Ability to collaborate across political, departmental, and community contexts
Comfort operating in fast-moving, high-visibility environments with significant public impact
Rate of Pay: $135,681 - $193,607 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits:
Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.
Equal Opportunity in Employment:
The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.