Description

OVERVIEW

The Cook County Bureau of Financeseeks an Assistant Deputy Bureau Chief, Debt Management. This role oversees the County's debt portfolio, including the sale, disclosure, and administration of bonds, notes, and other financing products. Responsibilities include developing debt policies, coordinating bond sales, managing investor relations, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The position provides expert financial guidance to senior leadership, evaluates capital programs, supervises staff, and works to achieve cost-effective financing solutions while minimizing debt service costs.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
  • 2nd largest county in America
  • Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
  • Nearly 80% unionized workforce
  • 15 unions represented
  • 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

ROLE SUMMARY

Responsible for overseeing the County's debt portfolio. Manages the disclosure, sale, and administration of various debt instruments, such as bonds, notes, loans, and other financing products. Develops and implements debt related policies, coordinates bond sales, monitors financial markets, and manages investor relations. Provides expert financial recommendations, supervises staff, ensures compliance with bond covenants, and oversees timely debt payments and regulatory filings. Advises senior leadership on financing proposals, evaluates capital programs, and works to achieve cost-effective financing solutions while minimizing debt service expenses.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Oversee the administration of the County's debt portfolio and evaluates financing proposals to provide recommendations on risks, benefits, and alternatives aligned with County policy priorities.
• Manages the issuance of new debt, including directing processes and consultants to achieve cost-effective financing solutions, and oversees the production of official statements and related policies for bond offerings.
• Monitors financial markets, analyzing economic trends, performing cost-benefit analysis for capital projects, and securing credit ratings while maintaining agency relationships.
• Prepares and reviews solicitations for professional services, reviews economic and financial reports, and manages investor relations, including maintaining disclosure requirements and the Investor Relations website.
• Ensures compliance with debt covenants, timely debt service payments, regulatory filings, and arbitrage yield requirements.
• Manages debt portfolio reporting, recommends and maintains debt and disclosure policies, and reviews legal documentation related to financing agreements.
• Supervises staff, providing guidance, training, and performance management to ensure the effective execution of debt management responsibilities and adherence to policies and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of municipal financing markets, including various structures (e.g., general obligation bonds, revenue
  
  bonds, short-term products) and compliance with Illinois and national regulations.
• Skilled in evaluating risks, benefits, and characteristics of municipal finance products and developing complex
  
  financing plans.
• Skilled in project management and preparing bond transaction documents under tight deadlines.
• Skilled in managing investor relations and ensuring compliance with disclosure requirements.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership and direction to support organizational goals and mission.
• Skilled in problem-solving with the ability to address complex, long-term challenges.
• Ability to implement strategic visions and oversee operational efficiency and performance.
• Skilled oral and written communication, with the ability to promote concepts and secure stakeholder support.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
• Four (4) years in a financial function, issuing and/or managing a significant municipal debt portfolio, or directly
  
  related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Six (6) years of in a financial function, issuing and/or managing a significant municipal debt portfolio.
• Four (4) years of previous management or supervisory experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County

Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at [email protected].