Are you a strategic, relationship-driven financial leader with deep expertise in municipal finance and a passion for public service? If so, apply to be Amarillo’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO)!
The City of Amarillo is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking executive who can lead complex financial operations, enhance transparency, and guide long-term fiscal strategies. We’re looking for an exceptional collaborator who is:
Skilled in governmental budgeting and financial reporting
Adept at communicating complex financial concepts to all audiences
Experienced in strategic financial planning, forecasting, and revenue optimization to ensure fiscal stability and sustainability
Amarillo is a welcoming, fast-growing community of 200,000+ residents, known for its affordability, strong local pride, and blend of Western heritage with modern innovation. Located in the Texas Panhandle along historic Route 66, Amarillo offers big-city amenities while maintaining its signature small-town feel, where neighbors know one another and community spirit runs deep.
As part of the City Manager's Office, the Chief Financial Officer oversees the Finance Department to promote excellence and efficiency in the City’s accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, debt issuances, and fiscal oversight functions. The position also coordinates financial matters with multiple boards and partner entities. Reporting to the City Manager, the Chief Financial Officer provides strategic financial leadership and oversight functions of the City’s $557 million budget, ensuring fiscal sustainability, transparency, and compliance with all regulatory requirements. The CFO directly oversees the Finance Director, who is responsible for supervising the Divisions of Finance, Purchasing, Utility Billing, and Vital Statistics.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced municipal finance executive who brings strategic insight, integrity, and a collaborative leadership style. The successor CFO should excel at building trust with the City Manager, Mayor & City Council, department heads, staff, and external partners. They will demonstrate strong financial acumen, a commitment to innovation, best management practices, and the ability to navigate multiple concurrent projects with accuracy and accountability. A passion for public service, adaptability, and a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial mindset is also desired.
Required qualifications for this position include:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible municipal finance experience
At least 5 years in an executive or leadership role managing $200M+ budgets
CPA license
Valid Texas Class C driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days
Preferred qualifications include:
Master’s degree (MBA, Finance, MPA)
Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO)
Experience with large-scale ERP implementations
Experience with municipal debt management and bond issuance
The starting salary range is $143,208 - $217,492, depending on experience and qualifications.
SGR helps local governments recruit, select and develop innovative leaders at all levels of the organization.Established in 1999 by former City Manager Ron Holifield, SGR has grown into the largest private sector provider of live training for local government employees in the nation, as well as the third largest local government executive search firm in the nation. SGR is also the only company in the nation with a comprehensive online learning management system offering a broad array of content developed specifically for local government employees. SGR’s business model is truly unique. Although SGR is a private company, we “act like” a local government association. Client agencies pay membership dues and are treated as members and as peer local officials, not merely as customers. Most of SGR’s principals are former local government officials. As a result, SGR brings a perspective and a depth of local government expertise to every project that no other firm can match.
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