Budget Manager

Full Job Description

The mission of the Office of Housing (OH) is to build strong, healthy communities and increase opportunities for people of all backgrounds and income levels to live in our city. To accomplish this mission, OH includes four program areas:

• Multi-Family Production and Preservation
• Homeownership and Sustainability
• Policy and Program Development
• Administration and Management

OH has funded over 16,000 affordable rental homes with the Seattle Housing Levy and other local funds and created nearly 6,000 affordable apartments through incentives.

In addition, OH has helped over 1,050 homebuyers purchase their first homes with affordable City-funded loans and invested in 300 permanently affordable homeownership opportunities.

To support this department, we are looking for a collaborative, innovative Budget Manager who will play a pivotal role in managing the department’s annual budgets, reviewing internal policies, implementing new systems, and acting as a strategic partner to the OH Senior Leadership Team.

In this role, you will manage the development, monitoring, and defense of the department’s annual $344M operating and capital budgets.

Funding sources include the voter-approved 7-year $900 million Housing Levy, the Mandatory Housing Affordability Program, the Payroll Expense Tax, fees from the Multifamily Tax Exemption Program, and numerous federal and state grants.

Investment categories include new production, acquisition, preservation, and stabilization for affordable rental housing and homeownership programs throughout Seattle.

Requirements

Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Managing the development, monitoring, and defense of the department’s annual $344M operating and capital budgets. Leading the preparation, analysis, and review of complex and detailed budgets and reports, statements, and schedules.
• Reviewing internal controls, policies, and procedures, and implementing new and improved systems/processes. Facilitating and project managing roll-out plans with finance staff and OH leadership team.
• Acting as a strategic partner to the Director of Finance and fiscal leadership to OH’s Leadership Team by providing guidance, analysis, and interpretation of financial data for use in audits to support and defend management and policy decisions, and to meet department and office goals.

Here’s more about what you’ll be doing:

• Making recommendations to OH Executives on the fiscal and budgetary analysis of OH budget proposals and supplemental funding requests.
• Providing strategic planning and policy guidance in the adoption of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Coordinating all budget responses and budget change request documents for OH as requested by the City Budget Office, City Council, or the Mayor's Office.
• Developing and managing change request content, year-end carryforwards, and supplemental ordinances; drafting and submitting the associated narratives and budget lines into Questica, the City’s budgeting system.
• Planning, developing, and implementing fiscal program workplans and goals and being accountable for outcomes.
• Performing day-to-day management of departmental budget operations, including organizational cash flow, forecasting, financial reporting, policies, and procedures to ensure sound fiscal management.
• Conducting reviews of departmental operations, budget requests, capital plans, and funding restrictions, analyzing complex funding structures, and recommending funding levels.
• Overseeing the development of the financial management budget and budget status reports on a regular basis and preparing an executive summary on the financial health of the department to the OH Leadership Team.
• Establishing monthly program review meetings with program leads / OH Leadership Team to provide budgetary guidance and address any outstanding issues, including identifying, advising, and proactively solving problems on issues such as budget overruns, revenue shortfalls, and other financial problems.
• Developing, setting, and implementing finance and accounting policies for OH as it pertains to loans, grants, contracts, and direct allocations.
• Reviewing internal controls, policies, and procedures over financial reporting and providing recommendations and plans for improvement. Conducting regular audits of existing policies and workflows to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compatibility with City and funder requirements.
• Coordinating and facilitating quarterly budget meetings with the OH Leadership Team to review financial forecasts, budgeting, purchasing, and invoice issues.
• Interpreting state and federal regulations, monitoring revenue sources that provide funding to OH programs, identifying and assessing risks and opportunities.
• Responding to inquiries from city, state, and federal auditors related to budget and actuals.

Qualifications

You will be most successful if you have experience in a broad set of areas, including analyzing data to create policy, the ability to synthesize data and use it to create policy discussions and decisions, project management, working with databases, creating tracking systems, and strong collaboration and project management skills.

A commitment to 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 tactfully and effectively will also contribute to your success.

Specifically, you’ll be prepared to take on this role if you have a combination of the following:

Experience:

• Using Budgeting software
• Developing, monitoring, and analyzing large government budgets
• Developing financial analysis and tools
• Providing excellent customer service
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and FASB accounting principles and standards
• Government accounting and auditing experience and budget analysis

Skills:

• Expert level proficiency in Excel, creating pivot tables, and developing financial reports
• Excellent data visualization skills to prepare spreadsheets, diagrams, and reports to illustrate findings appropriate to the audience
• High-level financial analytical skills applied in a complex environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications
• PeopleSoft 9.2 or other large EFP financial system software

The ability to:

• Serve as the primary OH user of Questica, the Citywide budget system
• Manage complex funding streams, contracts, and grants
• Work under pressure and multitask in an environment with tight deadlines

Additional Information

This position is a Civil Service position classified as a Strategic Advisor I, Finance, Budget & Accounting, and is pending accretion to a union (PROTEC17). This position is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime) and reports to the Director of Finance and Administration.

Salary: The full salary range for this position is $ 51.88 - $ 77.82 per hour. The salary range for this individual role has been identified as $ 70.34 hourly.

Hiring Timeline Information: The first round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to Thursday, May 4, 2026. Second round interviews are scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2026, to Friday, May 15, 2026.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

Work Schedule: This position is a hybrid onsite/remote position. Individual schedules will be subject to change and based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Background Check: 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 be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Benefits: 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: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Why work at the City?

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city.

With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all.

Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused — while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together.

Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted for this position until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• Cover Letter

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle.

Who Can Apply: This position is open to all candidates who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Questions: If you have questions, please contact Sandra Wong at sandra.wong@seattle.gov