City of Waukegan, IL Finance Director

Finance Director City of Waukegan, IL
Anticipated hire November 2023
Waukegan, IL ( 87,976). The City of Waukegan has a rich history and an even brighter future. Waukegan is the 9 th largest city in Illinois and with its day population of over 103,000.
Waukegan enjoys the benefits of a stable urban core ,driven in part by being the Lake County seat of Government ,and a bright future for continued redevelopment both on its 4 mile lakefront to the east , 200 acres of which are ready for redevelopment, and its redevelopment prospects in the western portion of the City driven in part by a recently licensed and now open casino serving the affluent markets of Chicago’s north suburban area extending continuously for 40 miles to the south and the expanding Milwaukee market extending 55 miles to the north Both markets are accessible along the well developed I 94 and US 41 corridors paralleling Lake Michigan.
However the City is much more than entertainment with its unique transportation options in addition to
its road assets including The Waukegan National Airport accommodating corporate jets, its
1,000 slip recreational marina, along with daily METRA commuter rail service to Chicago and
PACE suburban bus service all of which are drivers for continued economic development. While history abounds in its well maintained historic district, Waukegan is indeed a city on the move upward.

The Finance Director position in Waukegan is a strategic and collaborative position with the Senior Management Team . The position manages all of the core financial operations of City Government and serves as a strategic advisor to the Mayor, the City Council, and the operating Directors. The position requires a full and complete understanding of current operations and long range capital planning issues including a high level of demonstrated achievement with growth and development issues. Candidates must have a bachelors degree in accounting, public administration, or related field of study, and experience in capital financial planning and utility management. A Masters degree is preferred. 7-10 years of increasing responsible public sector management experience with at least 5 years at an executive level. Experience in Illinois is preferred.

Hiring range is anticipated at $160,000-$175,000 dependent on qualifications and excellent benefits including participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, comprehensive medical benefits and paid leave annually comparable to senior executive total compensation. Priority issues that the new Finance Director will face includes: Lead the development of the FY 2024 budget, including the capital budget, economic analysis of multiple development proposals, including continued economic development on the lakefront and downtown, expansion of the lakefront beach and recreational harbor, proper management and allocation of dispensary and casino revenues, and firehouse construction.

Interested candidates should apply on line to William Balling, Managing Director, WRBLLC Management and Recruitment Services, at Bill@wrbllc.com with a cover letter describing your interest in this position, an outcome based resume, and 5 professional references.