Job Description Posting expires: 2/20/2026 General Description and Classification Standards: The Budget, Audit, and Performance Project Manager II, with a specialized focus on forensic budgeting and performance auditing , is a core member of the Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Performance (MOIP). This role is centered on managing complex projects that integrate financial planning with strategic delivery outcomes. The incumbent uses advanced analytical and forensic techniques to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of programs, identify opportunities for process innovation, and ensure that resource allocation is directly tied to achieving key organizational performance goals. Supervision Received: Reports to the Executive Director and/or Deputy Director. The direction received is general, focuses on end results, and is typically collaborative in nature. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Strategic Performance Budgeting and Project Management: Define project scope, goals, workflows, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders, the executive director, and other senior management. Develop comprehensive project plans, including detailed work breakdown structures (WBS), timelines, resource allocation, and budget estimates. Identify and secure necessary resources (human, financial, technological) for project execution. Conduct thorough risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies. Incorporate performance data into planning, project scope development, and workflows. Strategic Alignment: Lead the integration of strategic goals and performance metrics into the annual budget process, ensuring that financial resources are directly aligned with MOIP's innovation and delivery priorities. Project Oversight: Manage financial planning and performance projects, including the development of cost-benefit analyses, return on investment (ROI) models for new initiatives, and strategic financial risk assessments. Performance-Based Budgeting: Design and manage models that link funding levels directly to measurable program outcomes, moving beyond traditional input-based budgeting. Process Innovation: Collaborate with MOIP teams to redesign budgeting and financial reporting processes to increase agility, speed, and accuracy, supporting a culture of rapid innovation. Efficiency Auditing and Forensic Analysis: Forensic Efficiency Audits: Conduct targeted, deep-dive investigations (forensic audits) into operational budgets and program spending to uncover inefficiencies, redundancies, and potential areas of resource waste or misallocation. Metric Mapping: Annually, map existing department key performance indicators (KPIs) to budget allocations and track monthly spending to ensure project progress and provide timely alerts to potential risks related to spending. Cost Scrutiny: Analyze complex financial and operational data to establish accurate program unit costs, benchmark against industry best practices, and identify substantial cost-saving opportunities without compromising delivery quality. Performance Gap Analysis: Use financial data (budgeted vs. actuals) in conjunction with performance data (targets vs. results) to diagnose failure points in program delivery and recommend corrective financial and operational adjustments. Financial Integrity: Develop and implement proactive financial monitoring tools to ensure budget execution is consistent with strategic intent and mitigate risk related to fraud, waste, or abuse. Communicate project status, risks, and issues regularly to stakeholders, team members, and the executive director through various reporting mechanisms (e.g., status meetings, dashboards, written reports). Reporting and Partnership: Executive Reporting: Prepare high-impact dashboards and reports for the executive director and executive leadership, clearly articulating the financial implications of performance results and recommended innovation opportunities. Consultation: Act as an internal financial consultant to program managers across the organization, advising them on cost modeling, efficiency targets, and budget optimization for strategic initiatives. Knowledge Transfer: Lead workshops and training sessions to embed performance-based financial discipline and transparency throughout the organization. Quality Assurance & Project Closure: Establish and enforce quality standards for project deliverables. Conduct post-project reviews and lessons learned sessions to identify areas for improvement. Document project outcomes, best practices, and close out all project-related items. Methodology Adherence: Ensure adherence to established project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Hybrid) and best practices. Project Management: Manages medium to large-scale projects, including leading project meetings, facilitating project team interaction, managing scope, managing deadlines, managing project budgets and ensuring on-time delivery of solutions. Uses project management tools and data-driven analysis to identify problem areas and opportunities. Develops performance improvement recommendations and implementation plans within budget/policy constraints and evaluates the impact of change on service delivery, productivity, and cost efficiency. In concert with the Executive and Deputy Director, sets targets, designs, and implements action-oriented plans to drive tangible results for the department. Partners with and guides the department in identifying strategic opportunities and developing clear and appropriate implementation plans to deliver results on initiatives. Produces clear, concise, and consistent deliverables to communicate problems and recommendations. Presents project updates, findings, and results. Supports the strategic framework and best practices for budget and performance. Manages and maintains strong relationships with colleagues across the organization. Takes initiative to identify solutions effectively. Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned. The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization. Knowledge Skills and Abilities: This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list. Technical & Analytical Skills: Strategic Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of how financial decisions impact operational delivery and strategic goal attainment. Forensic & Data Experience: Ability to apply investigative techniques to financial data to diagnose complex process failures and identify recovery or efficiency opportunities. Tools: Expert proficiency in financial modeling and data visualization tools (e.g., advanced Excel, Power BI, Tableau, SQL). Understanding of project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, etc.). Ability to monitor budgets and manage projects concurrently, from ideation to closure. Strong proficiency in project management tools (Microsoft Project, Excel). Experience in developing and delivering engaging training content. Strong facilitation and presentation skills. Soft Skills: Exceptional problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including active listening. Ability to handle sensitive financial and personnel information with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. Ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences. Ability to anticipate needs and take initiative to improve processes and resolve issues. Meticulous attention to detail. Exceptional ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work effectively to meet deadlines. Resourceful, results-oriented approach to work. Ability to navigate bureaucracy while driving meaningful change. Strong problem-solving & adaptability to shifting priorities. Clear communication, public speaking, and facilitation abilities. Qualifications The ideal candidate is ready to work in a high-energy, openly collaborative work environment. They have a history of demonstrable success and experience in budgeting, budget auditing, project management, process improvement, and partnership development. Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment. Occasional light lifting May require occasional evening and weekend work to attend meetings or events. May involve local travel to various city departments or event locations. Lifting Requirements: Sedentary work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Very heavy work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. [JB1] It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against on the basis of disability in job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department. The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Education And Experience Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, financial forensics, business analytics, economics, or related field. Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in budgeting, analysis, and project management. Experience working as part of a team delivering complex, multi-faceted projects on time and within budget. Relevant financial certification. Preferred Education And Experience Master’s degree in one of the previously stated fields. 6-8 years of progressive experience. Experience in training development.