Principal Financial Analyst

Job Description:

Principal Financial Analyst

Description

General

The Principal Financial Analyst - FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) plays a strategic role in managing the financial planning, analytics, and reporting functions for all agencies: San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (SMC-ELJPA). The incumbent will collaborate with finance and business leaders to lead high-impact analysis and reporting, deliver recommendations on critical decisions, and manage long-term financial projections. The role will design, analyze, and implement management reports to turn analysis into action and insight.

First cut off: 7/13/2025 | Final Deadline: 7/27/2025

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:

• Perform complex financial analysis, using statistical and accounting techniques to evaluate options and alternatives for cost-benefit and quantitative analysis.
• Design processes to enhance cohesion, collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Finance and all Agencies and Departments served.
• Under the Manager of FP&A’s guidance, develop or assist in the creation or improvement of various forecasting models. Perform scenario analysis given various financial and operational inputs.

• Identify opportunities for improvement and efficiency, and drive alignment for key planning responsibilities.

• Assist in developing current and future funding needs for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Drive development of models to analyze trends and recommend strategic actions.
• Prepare executive-level strategic financial reporting to various public transit programs with executive summaries, highlights, insights, and recommendations on financial and operating outlook and performance.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Lead financial forecasting, long-term financial projections, and month end close for effective decision support and strategic financial reporting.
• Support FP&A processes including revenue and expenditure forecasting in partnership with cross-functional teams at various levels of organization.
• Consult with staff, external consultants, and the public to gather and provide information.
• Collaborate with various departments (planning, operations, IT, communications, etc.) to provide financial guidance and support strategic initiatives.
• Present financial findings and recommendations to senior management, the Board, and regional stakeholders, as needed.
• Provide analysis and support for special projects and ad hoc assignments.

• Compile financial forecasting models for operating and capital programs with recommendations.
• Conduct complex scenario analysis for labor compensation studies to assess financial impact and sensitivity, partnering with cross-functional teams to develop strategies for financial sustainability and labor market competitiveness.
• Lead cost/benefit analyses and deliver strategic recommendations to optimize resource allocation and drive financial decisions.
• Assist with preparing financial reports and presentations with clear, strategic insights and impactful visualizations for Executive Leadership, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.

• Evaluate and propose improvements to financials, data collection process, and reporting.
• May supervise the work of more junior FP&A staff.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision: Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis, establishes goals and objectives and evaluates performance.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, finance, accounting or closely related field.
• Four (4) years of full-time relevant and progressive experience in leading financial analysis, financial forecasting/budgeting/planning, and operation/business analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or closely related field.
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; experience/knowledge in business intelligence systems (Tableau, Power BI, Hyperion, TM1, etc.).
• Experience in the public sector, ideally public transportation.
• Working knowledge in accounting processes and ERP systems (e.g. PeopleSoft).
• Attention to detail and accuracy. Experience using modeling techniques and managing large datasets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 7/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$114,493.00 - $171,739.00 Annually