Chief Financial Officer - Town of Clayton, NC

About Us Applicants should apply by June 25, 2026 The Town of Clayton, North Carolina, recognized for its strong financial position and AA+ and Aa1 bond ratings from Standard & Poor's and Moody's, is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the Town's financial operations during a significant period of growth, transition, and organizational modernization. This is a unique opportunity for a strategic and collaborative financial leader to play a central role in shaping the Town's long-term financial direction. The next CFO will partner closely with the Executive Team to support continued growth, address increasing service and infrastructure demands, and strengthen the Town's financial systems, processes, and reporting capabilities. Clayton's CFO will provide executive leadership across a broad and integrated finance portfolio, including financial operations, accounting and reporting, cash and debt management, investment strategy, utility billing and customer service, procurement, financial systems/ERP, and asset management. Beyond functional oversight, the CFO will ensure effective coordination across these areas, improving transparency, consistency, and organizational performance. The Town is in a pivotal period of transition and modernization, creating a rare opportunity for the next CFO to shape the future of the finance function. This includes evaluating and strengthening internal operations, guiding ongoing system and process improvements, and building a scalable, high-performing organization that supports long-range financial planning and decision-making. The CFO will play a key role in advancing data-informed decision-making across the organization, helping departments better understand financial information, improving accessibility to meaningful data, and strengthening the Town's overall financial governance and operational effectiveness. The Town is seeking a finance professional with a demonstrated ability to lead cohesive, accountable, and high-performing teams. The successful candidate will be an experienced and confident leader who delegates effectively, develops staff, and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. About the Community: The Town of Clayton is one of the fastest-growing communities in North Carolina and is consistently recognized as one of the best, safest, and most affordable places to live, work, and raise a family. Located just 20 minutes southeast of Raleigh in Johnston County, Clayton is part of the thriving Research Triangle region, home to world-class industries in technology, healthcare, education, and life sciences. With a population exceeding 34,000 and continued growth on the horizon, Clayton offers the ideal balance of small-town charm and big-city opportunity. Founded in 1869 along a historic railroad corridor, Clayton has grown from a rural community into a vibrant, forward-looking town. Today, it is defined by strong neighborhoods, excellent schools, expanding healthcare services, and a growing and diverse business base. While the community has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, it has remained committed to preserving the welcoming, close-knit atmosphere that makes Clayton unique. Its tagline, "The Premier Community for Active Families," reflects a strong focus on quality of life, community engagement, and recreational opportunities. Clayton's economy is strengthened by its proximity to the Research Triangle and by major employers such as UNC Johnston Health, Novo Nordisk, Grifols, and Caterpillar. The surrounding region has become a hub for biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare, offering a wide range of career opportunities and long-term economic stability. Quality of life is at the heart of the Clayton experience. The Town features a vibrant downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, boutiques, and a popular farmers market. Residents enjoy a year-round calendar of signature events, including the Downtown Concert Series (May-September), Square-to-Square Street Festival (June), Harvest Festival (October), and the Christmas Village and Tree Lighting (December). These events, combined with a strong sense of community, create an inviting and active environment for residents of all ages. Clayton also offers an expanding network of parks, greenways, trails, and athletic facilities, along with extensive parks and recreation and cultural arts programming. The Clayton Center serves as a regional destination for performing arts, concerts, and community events, drawing visitors from across the region. Additionally, Clayton's central location provides convenient access to both the North Carolina coast and the Blue Ridge Mountains, making weekend getaways and outdoor recreation easily accessible. For professionals seeking a growing, connected, and community-focused place to live and work, Clayton offers an exceptional quality of life and an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and fast-evolving community. Duties/Responsibilities About the Organization: The Town of Clayton operates under a Council-Manager form of government, with five elected Town Council members and a separately elected Mayor. The Council establishes policy and strategic direction, while the Town Manager oversees daily operations. Clayton's elected officials serve the entire town rather than specific districts and serve staggered four-year terms. The Town employs approximately 350 full-time employees across its municipal operations, including enterprise functions supporting water, sewer, and electric services. Clayton has a proposed FY2026-2027 budget of approximately $140.3 million, including a $63.2 million General Fund, $53.6 million Water and Sewer Fund, and $23.5 million Electric Fund. The Town owns and operates a municipal electric utility and functions as a wholesale purchaser and reseller of electricity The Town also maintains a significant capital improvement program across all funds, supported through a combination of pay-as-you-go financing, general obligation bonds, limited obligation bonds (LOBs), and installment financing. Davenport & Company serves as the Town's financial advisor. A property revaluation occurred in FY2026, resulting in an adopted tax rate of $0.49 per $100 of assessed value, reduced from $0.65 in FY2025 The revenue-neutral rate was $0.45 per $100. The Town's Strategic Plan, adopted in 2024, focuses on guiding future growth, organizational effectiveness, infrastructure investment, and high-quality service delivery. Key priorities include supporting a vibrant downtown, sustainable infrastructure, diversified economic development, public safety, community engagement, mobility and transportation, and amenities that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors More information about the Town of Clayton can be found here. About the Department and Position: The Town's award-winning Finance Department supports a rapidly growing community of more than 33,000 residents representing over $5 billion in assessed tax valuation, in addition to thousands of vendors, Town employees, and departments across the organization. Reporting directly to the Town Manager, the CFO provides executive leadership over the Town's financial operations, including financial reporting, long-range financial planning, capital financing, debt management, utility financial operations, grant compliance, audit coordination, and overall stewardship of public resources. The CFO establishes direction and accountability for financial policies, internal controls, operational procedures, reporting, and financial systems, while strengthening coordination, communication, and performance across the department and organization. The CFO leads a 21-person team spanning Accounting and Payroll, Procurement, and Utility Billing. With several anticipated retirements and key vacancies,