Finance Director

Salary : $118,180.80 - $195,040.08 Annually
Location : Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Department of Education & Early Learning
Opening Date: 10/31/2026
Closing Date: 11/24/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
The City of Seattle wants every child to have the opportunity to succeed in their education. This journey starts with providing access to high-quality early education to our youngest learners. To achieve this goal, the Department of Education and Early Learning is seeking a Finance Director who will play a key department leadership role responsible for directing and overseeing all of the department's financial activities.

Job Responsibilities
Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Maintaining financial operations, division oversight, and duties described below
• Executing contracts for newly awarded RFPs in alignment with FEPP I&E Plan
• FEPP financial reporting and what we need to be planning for, either on a quarterly basis, year-end, underspend, and presentations on behalf of the department

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing fiscal control and oversight over $196M Annual Budget and $1.3 billion Levy Funds.
• Ensuring that DEEL's financial operations comply with city and state legal requirements and overseeing financial policies, procedures, and audits conducted by the city or state auditor's offices.
• Developing and overseeing the department's annual budget process with the Mayor's Office, the City Budget Office, and City Council. Representing the department and making presentations on its behalf. These phases include:
  • Department Budget Development
  • Budget submittal to City Budget Office
  • City Budget Office reviews department budget
• Managing the implementation of investment directives given to the department by the Mayor's Office and City Council.
• Managing partnership agreements and financial relationships with Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Colleges, and Seattle King County Public Health
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures and providing oversight of the department's functions with special emphasis on financial management and accountability systems.
• Developing and managing Memoranda of Agreement with other city departments for the use of Levy funds.
• Overseeing and ensuring levy funding processes and contracts are fair, consistent, and legally compliant.
• Recommending and managing performance contracting, funding processes, and investment course corrections to improve results.
• Managing the development of periodic financial reports and updates to the Levy Oversight Committee, Mayor, City Council, and public.

• Directing and managing the Finance Division, which includes:
  • Accounting unit overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger, and other accounting services to the department.
  • Grants and Contracts unit, which administers over 100 contracts and 200 vendor service agreements for the department.
  • Finance & Budget unit overseeing the budget process, financial monitoring, financial analysis, and financial support for the department.
• Serving as the lead engagement officer with the City Budget Office and State Auditor.
• Providing oversight, development, management, and monitoring of all fund revenues and expenditures for DEEL.
• Shaping, developing, recommending, and presenting department fiscal policies as required.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of long-range financial planning models and portfolios for levy renewal packages.

Qualifications
A demonstrated deep technical knowledge and expertise in finance, particularly in budget development and management and contract administration will be essential in this role. A commitment to active listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels thoughtfully and effectively will also contribute to your success. Your strong, hands-on work ethic and desire to achieve excellence will be essential. Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:

Experience

• Extensive and progressive experience in finance and/or budget management providing direct oversight to operating divisions in a complex public or not-for-profit organization.
• Prior experience interpreting complex financial data and providing concise management reports on a variety of topics.
• Direct experience managing a multimillion-dollar budget with multiple funding sources.
• Prior experience in contract management and oversight, including ensuring compliance.
• Experience managing a diverse team of professionals, including contracting, invoicing, finance, and accounting.
• Working in or with the public sector, with an understanding of how government budgets work

Skills

• Strong organizational, detail, and time management skills.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including experience delivering public presentations to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong collaborative relationships and influence others.
• Skilled at working effectively individually or collaboratively on a team with a diverse group of people and behavioral styles.
• High level of skill and proficiency using Windows and Microsoft Office, with a high-level understanding of Excel.4

Abilities

• Understand and oversee fiscal systems and controls and work in a large or complex financial and budgeting system.
• Execute work while managing a team in a productive and positive way
• Manage and navigate within a dynamic political environment.
• Manage complex and stressful situations with calmness and tact.
• Contribute positively to a diverse, equitable work environment.
• Develop collaborative, productive, and respectful relationships with internal and external partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment.

Additional Information
This position reports to the Deputy Director and is classified as an Executive 1. It is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime), as well as exempt from the Civil Service system. The full pay range for this position is $56.60 - $93.41 per hour. The salary range for this individual position has been identified as $90.00 - $92.84 hourly. These hourly rates are reflective of the 2026 salary schedule.

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 9 and/or Thursday, December 10, 2026. Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 16 or Thursday, December 17, 2026. The first round of interviews will take place virtually over Microsoft Teams, while the second round is tentatively scheduled to take place in person at the Seattle Municipal Tower in downtown Seattle.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three days a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: Please select an option under the "Most Employee Benefits" heading.

Please note: This job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 24, 2026To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please:

• Provide thoughtful and accurate responses to all supplemental questions
• Attach a cover letter expressing your interest in the Finance Director position and how your skills and experience will make you successful in the role
• Attach a PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Attach a brief writing sample (1-2 pages) that summarizes a fiscal policy issue for decision-makers. This can be a briefing memo, internal memo, options analysis, financial statement analysis, or other relevant examples of prior written work where you were the primary author.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01

Please describe your experience leading an organization's financial functions. What's the budget size and the size of division and reporting functions you have managed? How have you used financial data and analysis to support executive leadership in making strategic business decisions? Please provide specific examples and describe the outcome.
02

Please describe your approach to establishing and maintaining effective internal financial controls, managing financial risks, and ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements. Provide an example of a financial challenge or risk you identified and how you addressed it.
03

Please describe your experience leading, developing, and managing a finance or accounting team. How do you establish priorities, improve financial processes, and ensure accountability while supporting the organization's goals? Provide an example of how your leadership improved team performance, operational efficiency, or financial results.
04

A priority for DEEL is to close the opportunity gap for youth of color who have historically been underserved by the education system. Describe how you have centered race and social justice in budget decision-making or recommendations you have made.
05

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid schedule. Employees are expected to be in the office 3 days a week. Please confirm your understanding and ability to meet the needs of this schedule.
06

=In order to be considered for this position, you must complete the application, thoughtfully answer all supplemental questions, as well as attach a cover letter, writing sample, and resume. Have you completed these tasks? (NOTE: Even if you have imported your resume into the application fields, you must still attach it)
07

Where/how did you hear about this position?
Required Question