St. Louis, MO – Deputy Budget Director

The City of St. Louis, MO

The City of St. Louis (pop. 280,000) is conducting a national search for its next Deputy Budget Director.

A historic city with a family-friendly reputation and a strong sense of community. St. Louis offers an affordable cost of living and a central U.S. location that attracts talent from across industries, including technology, aerospace, and healthcare. Known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis is home to the iconic Gateway Arch, a vibrant cultural scene, sports fans, and Forest Park—the nation’s largest urban park.

Joining the City of St. Louis means becoming part of a diverse, passionate workforce of 4,500 employees committed to serving more than 280,000 residents and helping lead the region’s revitalization.

The City of St. Louis uses a Mayor-Council form of government, a traditional system where an elected Mayor acts as the chief executive, and the Board of Aldermen (city council) serves as the legislative body, making laws and adopting the budget, with the Mayor approving or vetoing legislation. Uniquely, St. Louis is also an independent city, functioning as its own city and county, separate from St.

Louis County.

This is an advanced civil service administrative role that supports the Budget Director and helps lead key functions within the Budget Division. The Budget Division serves under the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, comprised of the Mayor, Comptroller and President of the Board of Aldermen which serves as the City's chief fiscal body and submits and recommends the annual budget to the Board of Aldermen for adoption.

The Deputy Budget Director assists with capital projects, financial planning, and performance measurement, while taking primary responsibility for developing the City’s annual operating budget. The role leads day-to-day unit operations by setting priorities, coordinating across departments, and ensuring clear performance standards and measurable program results. The Deputy Budget Director also serves as acting Budget Director in the Director’s absence. Core responsibilities include:

• Determines budget allocations and makes budget recommendations.
• Oversees development and publication of the Annual Operating Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and supporting budget documents.
• Monitors revenues and expenditures and delivers fiscal trend and performance analyses.
• Reviews and distributes the Budget Manual.

• Sets operational priorities, coordinates work across functions and ensures program goals and standards align with agency-wide objectives.
• Builds and drives operational plans with clear goals, timelines, and action steps to deliver results.

• Establishes performance evaluation standards and procedures so staff understand expectations and are assessed fairly and consistently.
• Supervises departmental staff and reviews the quality and accuracy of their work and deliverables.
• Serves as acting Budget Director in the Director’s absence.

• Develops and recommends new or revised statutes, rules, policies, and procedures to strengthen effectiveness and respond to evolving needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a closely related field.
• Four years of budget, accounting, and/or financial management experience
• At least two years of management experience.
• Direct experience developing, analyzing, and monitoring a complex operating plan or budget.

• Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a closely related field.

• Ability to analyze and connect complex data, set priorities and approach, and drive execution of decisions.
• Proven track record leading teams, including managers and analysts, with responsibility for hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Experience allocating staff and forecasting workforce needs to meet organizational priorities.
• Proficiency with standard office technology and software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Strong written and…