Director, Budget

Who We Are

We are a team of motivated, engaged, and exceptionally talented self-starters, willing to roll up our sleeves and do what is necessary to get the job done.

To find out more about us, please visit our website: www.lipower.org

What We Offer

We offer an environment of continuous development and growth with a thriving company culture, exceptional colleagues, and exceptional benefits. Our benefit package includes:

• Hybrid work options available and flexible hours
• Excellent health insurance
• No employee cost for dental and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and generous paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational assistance opportunities
• Multiple retirement plan options with company contribution
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending account with company contribution
• Life Insurance
• 529 College Savings Program
• $300 Wellness Reimbursement

What You’ll Do At LIPA

The Director, Budget assists in fulfilling LIPA’s purpose of clean, reliable, and affordable electric service for our customers on Long Island and the Rockaways through the development of the LIPA Consolidated Budget and Financial Plan as well as monitoring of actual spending compared to the budget.

The position plays a pivotal role in managing financial operations and ensuring fiscal responsibility. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of budgeting, financial planning, and analysis to support LIPA’s strategic goals and efficient operations.

Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment, the Director, Budget will lead a budget team providing guidance, mentorship, and training.

This position is responsible for participating in the development of:

• LIPA’s strategic plan, aligning financial goals with the strategy;
• Communicating budgetary goals, financial performance, and strategic priorities to internal and external stakeholders;
• Engaging with investors, regulatory bodies, and community groups as needed.

Essential Job Functions include:

• Oversees development of LIPA’s consolidated budget process which includes the Service Provider’s operating and capital budget (and separately the annual budget for UDSA) and monitors impact to revenue requirement monitoring the necessity of a rate case.
• Leads development of comprehensive budgets that include operating expenses, capital expenditures, and revenue projections. Creates and manages the budgeting timeline and process.
• Works with Service Provider to ensure a thorough understanding of the budget funding levels, including an understanding of the operational work plans, regulatory, and contractual elements that support the funding levels.Oversees the development of financial models and forecasting tools to project long-term revenues, expenses, and capital requirements
• Collaborates with senior management to establish annual and long-term budgetary goals and objectives and ensures departmental budgets align with the overall organizational goals and strategic plan.
• Monitors budget performance throughout the fiscal year, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions as needed.Leads the review of budget requests and modifications and preparation for approval.
• Acts as a liaison between LIPA and Service Provider for budget and financial analyses and monitors spending versus budget to identify risks and opportunities leading to the variance analysis for the Finance and Audit Committee.
• Supports LIPA teams to set a financial plan for capital projects and monitor progress of work to spending levels.
• Collaborates with regulatory and legal teams to navigate rate approvals and compliance.
• Prepares and presents financial reports to senior management, the Board of Trustees, and regulatory agencies. Ensures accurate and timely financial reporting in compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identifies financial risks and develops strategies to mitigate them. Supports risk management programs.
• Assists in development of financial contingency plans for emergencies, disasters, and unforeseen events.
• Stays informed about regulatory changes affecting the electric utility industry. Ensures that financial planning and reporting comply with industry-specific regulations and standards. Assists in preparing regulatory filings and participating in rate hearings and supports the development of rate cases as necessary.
• Identifies metric opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.Supports efficiencies by monitoring and evaluating the performance of the budget team and business processes to streamline tasks, and initiates new or revised approaches as appropriate.
• Acts as Secretary to the Budget and Rates Committee.
• Advises LIPA senior management on the Service Provider budget plan and/or any major issues related to the service agreement. Completes various financial analyses as required to support LIPA’s decision-making process.
• Acts as liaison with the NYS Department of Public Service (DPS) for the budget process, including continued monitoring throughout the year.
• Sets objectives and establishes annual work plans; manages the performance of direct reports, including overseeing, monitoring, and guiding work plan and job functions; provides ongoing performance feedback to direct reports; identifies and monitors employee development. Assigns and manages activities and projects and ensures timely delivery and work product quality.

What We Need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or a related field
• Ten (10) years of related experience to successfully perform the job duties and responsibilities
• Seven (7) years of Supervisory/Management experience
• Strong financial analysis and acumen, organizational, and creative thinking skills, and ability to be flexible and self-motivated
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Able to utilize financial software and systems for budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting
• Skilled in networking and building effective working relationship with colleagues, service providers, NYS regulatory agencies and other entities
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Skilled in managing projects and budget cycles.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and strong Word and PowerPoint skills
• Skilled in multitasking and prioritization
• Demonstrated ability to lead team members across departments and functions and creating an engaging, collaborative and productive environment to maximize team effectiveness
• Strong collaboration and team building skills
• Detail oriented with strong analytical skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree - MPA, or MBA
• Utility finance or similar industry experience with a focus on budgeting and related operational analysis.
• Government or private sector budget development experience along with financial analysis and cost accounting.

Salary Range: $184,500 - $225,500

How You Can Apply:

LIPA is an equal opportunity employer.

All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Gary Martens, Director, Human Resources and Administration.