Director of Finance | City of Blaine, WA
Search Overview
Organization:
City of Blaine
Sector:
Government and Public Sector
Location:
Blaine, Washington
Mandate Type:
Executive Search
Leadership Function:
Finance and Corporate Services Leadership
Search Scope:
National and Regional
Engagement Focus:
Finance Director Appointment
Confidentiality:
Confidential and Strategic Leadership Search
The Context
The City of Blaine, Washington was experiencing significant leadership instability within its finance function, having lost three Finance Directors within a relatively short period of time prior to KIRAH’s engagement.
The repeated turnover created operational strain, leadership disruption, and growing concern around continuity, financial oversight, and long term departmental stability. City leadership recognized the importance of securing not only a technically capable finance executive, but a leader who could commit to the organization long term and successfully integrate into the broader municipal environment.
Compounding the challenge was the competitive nature of the municipal finance talent market across North America, particularly for smaller and growing municipalities seeking highly experienced public sector finance leaders.
The City required a thoughtful and strategic executive search process capable of identifying candidates willing to relocate, align culturally with the organization, and lead with stability and long term vision.
The Leadership Need
The City was seeking a senior municipal finance leader with deep expertise in public sector financial management, budgeting, governance, reporting, and organizational leadership.
The ideal candidate required the ability to stabilize the department, strengthen internal confidence, support elected leadership, and provide strategic financial oversight during an important period for the organization.
Equally important was identifying a leader and family situation that would support long term retention and successful community integration, recognizing the challenges associated with relocation based executive appointments.
The mandate extended beyond technical capability and required a highly personalized and relationship driven executive search process.
The Assignment
KIRAH was engaged to conduct a national executive search for the City’s Finance Director role.
The assignment focused on identifying experienced municipal finance leaders across North America with the technical expertise, leadership capability, and long term commitment required to stabilize and lead the department successfully.
Given the City’s previous leadership turnover, the search process placed significant emphasis on organizational fit, leadership style, relocation readiness, and long term alignment with the community and municipal leadership team.
The engagement required an advisory driven approach that extended well beyond a traditional recruitment process.
The Search Approach
KIRAH conducted a comprehensive national search and market mapping initiative targeting senior municipal finance professionals across the United States and Canada.
The process focused on identifying leaders with public sector finance expertise, executive leadership capability, and demonstrated experience operating within municipal environments.
A highly focused outreach strategy was implemented engaging senior finance leaders from municipalities, regional governments, and public sector organizations across multiple jurisdictions.
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates open to relocation and long term community integration.
A structured evaluation and assessment process was conducted to assess leadership capability, technical expertise, communication style, cultural alignment, and long term retention potential.
Following the national search process, a long list of 10 highly qualified candidates was identified, with 7 finalists formally shortlisted and presented to the City for consideration.
Recognizing the importance of long term success beyond the appointment itself, KIRAH worked closely with both the City and the successful candidate throughout the transition and relocation process.
Support extended beyond the traditional executive search scope and included relocation coordination, temporary accommodation support, community integration assistance, and guidance related to school arrangements for the candidate’s children.
The process emphasized ensuring both professional and personal stability for the successful candidate and family during the transition from Texas to Washington State.
The Appointment
The search resulted in the successful appointment of Jennifer Spiddle as Finance Director for the City of Blaine.
Jennifer brought strong municipal finance leadership experience, strategic capability, and the leadership presence required to support departmental stability and organizational confidence.
Her appointment represented an important leadership milestone for the City following a period of significant turnover within the finance function.
Jennifer’s combination of technical expertise, collaborative leadership style, and long term commitment aligned strongly with the City’s operational and strategic objectives.
The Impact
Stabilized Critical Leadership Function
Supported the successful appointment of a long term finance leader following multiple leadership transitions within the department.
Delivered a Successful National Search
Conducted a comprehensive North American executive search process resulting in a highly competitive shortlist of senior municipal finance leaders.
Supported Long Term Retention and Integration
Provided extensive transition and relocation support to help ensure successful long term integration for both the successful candidate and family.
Strengthened Organizational Confidence
Helped restore leadership continuity, financial oversight stability, and long term confidence within a critical municipal function.
Key Outcomes
National Executive Search Completion
Successfully executed a North American search process targeting senior municipal finance leaders.
10 Executive Candidates Identified
Developed a highly qualified long list of senior public sector finance professionals.
7 Finalists Shortlisted
Presented a curated shortlist of leadership candidates aligned with the City’s operational and cultural priorities.
Successful Cross State Relocation
Supported the successful relocation and integration of the appointed executive and family from Texas to Washington State.
High Touch Advisory Process
Delivered an executive search engagement extending beyond recruitment to include leadership transition and long term integration support.