Dubow would come in with experience as a former city budget director, a job he held through 2004, when Rendell appointed him the state's chief financial officer.
That background would be crucial; Nutter, in his first six months, will have to negotiate contracts with the city's four municipal unions and develop a five-year spending plan.
Asked about Dubow, Nutter said last night that no final personnel decisions had been made.
Another position expected to be filled quickly is a police commissioner to replace Sylvester M. Johnson.
If Nutter is to show he has a jump on his new job, it will be important for him to begin announcing such appointments long before he sworn in Jan. 7.
"The transition period is the period to begin to build a sense of momentum, to begin to set up some victories that you'll want to achieve. The announcement of key personnel can be part of that," said Comcast executive David L. Cohen, who served as Rendell's mayoral chief of staff.
To former Mayor W. Wilson Goode, the finance director is the most critical position to fill. "It's the person who is going to make sure there is enough money to run the government, and someone who can give the mayor the right advice on fiscal policy," he said.
Other key appointments will be chief of staff and managing director.
Aside from appointments, soon-to-be-named transition teams will now begin picking up on the work of policy groups - on issues like tourism, transportation and economic development - that Nutter quietly put together during the summer.
There are also some 100 boards and commissions with openings that must be filled.
Nutter is making a concerted effort to draw top-flight appointees from the private sector.
