The posting
About MCE
At MCE, we tackle the climate crisis with a shared commitment to innovation, community, and equity. Together, we foster an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible work environment where creativity thrives, work-life balance is prioritized, and every voice is valued.
MCE is a not-for-profit public agency that has set the standard for clean energy in our communities since 2010. We provide more renewable power at stable rates, and deliver cutting-edge energy programs to residents and businesses across four Bay Area counties: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano. Our team, drawn from all walks of life, embodies a shared passion for environmental stewardship and community service. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals innovating and collaborating to make our communities more energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable.
MCE is in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in San Rafael and Concord. Employees have the option to work remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office, depending on the role responsibilities and any in-person meeting requirements. I am happy to provide more details if needed.
We value a range of experience. Even if you feel that you do not meet all of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Summary of Role
Under the general supervision of the Manager of Finance, the Finance Manager, FP&A owns MCE’s budget development process, management reporting, and variance analysis to provide clear financial visibility across the organization. This role ensures spending and financial decisions align with Board-approved budgets, policies, thresholds, and limits.
The Finance Manager, FP&A manages MCE’s day-to-day financial planning and analysis functions, with primary responsibility for recurring budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, financial modeling, dashboards, and analytical support. This role develops and presents financial materials for the Finance Committee and other Board meetings, ensuring information is clear, accurate, and decision ready. This position also supports the Finance department’s day-to-day operations, including approving wires and coordinating with banks, vendors, and other operational partners as needed.
The Finance Manager, FP&A translates accounting results, departmental plans, and operating assumptions into budgets, forecasts, management reports, dashboards, and forward-looking analysis. This position works with Rates, Power Resources, Risk Management, MCE’s external accountancy firm, and other departments where analysis crosses functional areas. The Finance Manager, FP&A, also develops materials and works closely with leadership and department heads. This position will have supervisory responsibilities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Illustrative Only)
Budgeting and Forecasting
- Manage the annual budget development process and budget amendments, including the calendar, assumptions, and departmental submissions.
- Coordinate with department leaders to develop and review operating, staffing, and program budgets to ensure they are on track and identify opportunities for correction as necessary.
- Model the financial impact of rate changes, program decisions, staffing changes, or other strategic initiatives.
Management Reporting and Financial Analysis
- Prepare management staff reports, variance analyses, dashboards, and concise explanations of financial results for senior management and MCE’s Board.
- Lead the preparation, internal review, and quality control of recurring Board and Committee financial materials, including the Treasurer's Report package, the investment report, budgetary comparison schedules, and financial results narrative.
- Draft clear explanations of financial results in preparation of responses to Board and Committee questions for review.
- Analyze trends in revenues, expenses, staffing, customer programs, investments, and other key financial drivers.
- Develop scenario analyses to assess the impact of rate initiatives, programs, and other financial initiatives.
- Model the financial statements to forecast cash flow.
Business Partnership and Process Management
- Serve as a resource to department leaders and staff during budget development, forecasting, and financial review.
- Translate financial information into practical and understandable insights for non-finance audiences.
- Identify opportunities to streamline recurring FP&A processes, improve reporting, and reduce manual work.
- Establish and maintain clear workpapers, calendars, documentation, and back-up procedures for recurring responsibilities.
Team Leadership and Continuity
- Supervise, coach, and review the work of assigned staff.
- Set priorities and manage deadlines across recurring FP&A deliverables.
- Escalate significant financial issues and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders.
- Contribute to a collaborative Finance Department culture with clear accountability and strong service to internal partners.
Minimum Qualifications
Skills
- Advanced in Microsoft Excel, with demonstrated experience using financial systems, reporting tools, dashboards, Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, Adobe software, and project management applications.
- Advanced knowledge of budgets, budgeting practices, and related financial planning processes.
- Confident in preparing and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.
- Advanced understanding of the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cashflows.
- Advanced financial modeling skills.
Education/ Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or other closely related fields.
- A minimum of five (5) years of direct experience in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, or closely related field.
- Experience in FP&A, budgeting, financial analysis, management reporting, or comparable finance functions. Experience partnering with operational departments and explaining financial information to non-finance audiences. Experience managing complex recurring processes, leading projects, and reviewing the work of others.
Knowledge of
- Financial modeling, forecasting, data analysis, and clear written communication.
- Current Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accounting frameworks.
- Methods for energy and power contract invoice validation.
Ability to
- Manage recurring responsibilities with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and clear communication of technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Learn new subject matter, systems, and processes quickly with limited direction while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders encountered in the performance of duties.
Language and Reasoning Skills
- Exercise exceptional analytical skills, sound judgment, creative problem solving, and commercial awareness.
- Analyze and interpret large amounts of information quickly and accurately and make sound policy recommendations.
- Develop high-quality writing, research, and communication work products.
- Deliver clear and persuasive oral communication.
- Interact effectively with administrative bodies and MCE staff, Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation package offered, based on candidate experience along with generous benefits and perks, including fully paid premiums for health insurance, parental leave, dependent care subsidies, student loan repayment, and employee wellness program.
Starting range for Finance Manager, FP&A is $132,105 - $172,838.
Application Process
We value a range of experiences. Even if you feel that you do not meet all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
As a part of the application process for the Finance Manager, FP&A; all candidates must submit a resume, a cover letter as to how they think their skills are a match for this position and why they want to work at MCE and answer all the applicable questions within the application.
As we narrow to our top pool of applicants, candidates moving through the recruitment process may participate in an Initial All in One Initial Interview, Face to Face Cross team Panel Interview, Face to Face Executive Interview.
About the Finance Team
The Finance Team manages MCE’s financial planning and analysis, treasury and investment strategies, risk management, accounting, and the agency’s rate (revenue) setting process. The team is responsible for maintaining MCE’s investment grade credit ratings, building reserve levels, and managing relationships with external financial institutions.
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MCE Culture
At MCE, we are committed to fostering a workplace rooted in equity, inclusion, and belonging. As part of this effort, we’ve included a few optional questions to help us better understand your background, experiences, and how we can create a respectful and inclusive candidate experience.
MCE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
MCE Work Environment
MCE offices support an environment that is accessible to those with reduced mobility. We are happy to provide more details if asked.
MCE makes reasonable accommodations of any known physical or intellectual limitations for qualified applicants with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs, and other conditions protected by applicable law.
