Business Manager

Featured Business Manager Town of Durham, NH Durham, New Hampshire (15,270 pop.), a university community in the heart of the Seacoast, is seeking an experienced municipal finance leader to serve as its next Business Manager. This is a high-impact executive position guiding the Town's financial strategy, personnel systems, and key administrative functions within a stable, collaborative management team, following the planned retirement of our longtime Business Manager in October 2026. The Town is seeking a highly ethical, honest, and talented professional who is deeply committed to public service and stewardship of public resources. About Durham and the Organization Durham operates under a Town Charter with a Council-Manager form of government, where the Administrator serves as the Town's chief executive (Manager) appointed by and accountable to the Town Council. The Business Manager is a key member of the Administrator's leadership team and works closely with elected officials and department heads to carry out the Town's policy and financial objectives. Durham is home to the University of New Hampshire's main campus and is part of the vibrant Seacoast region of New Hampshire, approximately 12 miles from the Atlantic coast, the City of Portsmouth, and about 50 miles north of Boston. Residents enjoy four distinct seasons, abundant outdoor recreation, a rich cultural environment, and easy access to beaches, lakes, and mountains. The community is served by the highly regarded Oyster River Cooperative School District, which consistently ranks among New Hampshire's top public-school systems and serves Durham, Lee, and Madbury. The Town organization benefits from stable management, a collegial and professional culture, and experienced department heads who value collaboration, continuous improvement, sound ethics, and high-quality citizen service. About the Position Reporting directly to the Administrator, the Business Manager leads the planning, management, and control of the Town's fiscal activities, overseeing a 2026 aggregate budget of just over $39M, as well as key aspects of personnel and welfare administration. The position serves as the Town's chief financial and business management resource, advising the Administrator and Town Council on financial trends, risks, and strategic courses of action. The Business Manager provides administrative supervision for Business Office staff and works closely with all departments to ensure accurate, transparent, and compliant financial operations. Durham is not a large organization with multiple layers of financial staff; the Business Office is lean, and the Business Manager is expected to be both a strategic partner and a hands-on technical expert fully capable of performing the department's day-to-day financial and accounting functions. The successful candidate will benefit from a thoughtful transition period as the current Business Manager completes many years of service. Key Responsibilities Financial strategy and stewardship

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Town's financial policies and practices, ensuring sound internal controls and adherence to accepted governmental accounting standards.
• Prepare quarterly and annual financial reports that clearly communicate the Town's financial condition and operations to the Administrator, Town Council, and the public.
• Provide proactive financial analysis and recommendations on trends, risks, and opportunities to support informed decision-making.
• Budget and capital planning
• Lead development of the Town's annual operating budget and multi-year Capital Improvements Plan, integrating departmental needs, long-term liabilities, and policy priorities into clear recommendations.
• Coordinate the budget process, including receiving and reviewing department and agency submissions, managing the budget software, and preparing budget documents for public review.
• Assist departments with budget monitoring and ensure compliance with New Hampshire budget laws and Town policies.
• Purchasing, audit, and capital assets
• Ensure compliance with the Town's Purchasing Policy and other applicable purchasing laws and regulations, including oversight of competitive bidding requirements.
• Review and approve purchases in accordance with policy and provide guidance to departments on procurement best practices.
• Coordinate the Town's annual audit and oversee capital asset accounting, including tracking assets and recording depreciation. People systems and organizational support
• Oversee payroll, human resources administration, and accounts payable, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant processing.
• Coordinate personnel administration for the Town, including recruitment, evaluation, and compensation systems in partnership with the Administrator.
• Coordinate and administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Labor relations, insurance, and risk management
• Provide financial analysis, costing, and contract language support for collective bargaining, including modeling proposals and summarizing the financial and operational impact of labor agreements for the Administrator and Town Council.
• Administer and evaluate the Town's insurance coverages, including receiving, monitoring, and directing all insurance claims to carriers to protect the Town and its employees.
• Develop and refine forms, procedures, and workflows to improve efficiency and adapt accounting and business practices to evolving legal and professional standards. Enterprise operations and oversight
• Oversee the Town's welfare services, ensuring effective, equitable, and legally compliant administration.
• Oversee the activities of the Town's property assessment office in coordination with assessing staff and contractors.

Throughout all responsibilities, the Business Manager is expected to model the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and professionalism in managing public funds and confidential information. Knowledge, Skills, and Ideal Profile The ideal candidate is an experienced public sector finance professional who combines strong technical expertise in governmental accounting and budgeting with a collaborative leadership style, political and organizational acumen, and a deep commitment to ethical public service. This position is well suited to a hands-on finance leader who is comfortable functioning as both a working manager and a subject-matter expert in a lean, high-performing organization. Key knowledge, abilities, and skills include:

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of financial management, governmental accounting, and budgetary controls in a municipal environment.
• Strong understanding of municipal and State of New Hampshire laws, rules, and regulations related to local government finance, personnel, and purchasing, or a demonstrated ability to master them quickly.
• Proficiency with financial and accounting software and related office technologies, and the ability to adapt to new systems and tools.
• Demonstrated ability to gather, assemble, and analyze complex financial and operational data, draw sound conclusions, and present findings and recommendations clearly in both written and oral form.
• Proven capacity to supervise and develop staff, delegate effectively, and foster a respectful, supportive, and accountable work environment.
• Ability to handle confidential information with tact, discretion, and unimpeachable integrity.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, employees, elected officials, outside agencies, and the public. Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in financial and/or business management.
• Municipal or public sector finance experience is strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred.
• Additional years of directly related experience may be substituted for formal education as appropriate.
• Valid motor vehicle operator's license.

Compensation and Benefits This is a full-time, salaried, non-union position. The starting salary range for this position is to $154,207 annually, with the final starting salary to be negotiated based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. Exceptional candidates may be considered outside this range. The Town provides a comprehensive benefits package for non-union employees, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance; paid leave; participation in the New Hampshire Retirement System; and other benefits as detailed in the Town of Durham Personnel Plan for Non-Union Employees. Additional Information Including a full description, potential candidates are directed to the Municipal Resources, Inc. website at www.mrigov.com/career or to contact Alan Gould, President, Municipal Resources, Inc. at 603-279-0352 ext. 320. To Apply Submit a resume and cover letter, in confidence, as a single PDF attachment to recruitment@mrigov.com by 8 AM EST on Monday, May 4th, 2026 to be included in the first review of applicants. Resumes will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply early for full consideration. The Town of Durham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. How to Apply Post Date Apr 06, 2026 Application Deadline May 04, 2026 Submit resume and cover letter, in confidence, as a single PDF attachment to recruitment@mrigov.com by 8 AM EST on Monday, May 4th, 2026 Apply Now Job Details Salary $121,163 - $154,207 Job Function Other, Department Head/Director Position Type Full Time Town of Durham Address 15 Newmarket Rd Durham , NH 03824-2815 United States Population 15,490 Website http://www.ci.durham.nh.us Form of Government Council-Manager ← Move left → Move right ↑ Move up ↓ Move down + Zoom in - Zoom out Home Jump left by 75% End Jump right by 75% Page Up Jump up by 75% Page Down Jump down by 75% Map Terrain Satellite Labels Map Data Map data ©2026 Map data ©2026 200 m Click to toggle between metric and imperial units Terms Advertisement Put your job in front of the right people! The Job Center is the best place to reach local government professionals. Post your featured job in minutes with more visibility through promoted search results, email, and more. Post a Featured Job