Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01516

Department: City Budget Office

Job classification: Strategic Advisor 3, Exempt

Posting type: Open

Categories: Accounting and Finance, Management

Summary

THE OFFICE

The City Budget Office (CBO) works to make the best use of the City of Seattle's financial resources in implementing the priorities of the City's elected officials. Their primary role is to prepare the City’s annual budget. This is accomplished by analyzing departmental proposals and policies, advising decision-makers, looking for opportunities to make City government more fiscally sound and efficient, and working on behalf of the Mayor with departments and City Council staff.

Examples of duties

THE JOB

The City Budget Office is recruiting qualified applicants for a Fiscal & Policy Manager job. You will oversee the work of 3-5 Fiscal & Policy analysts and may also manage your own portfolio of departmental assignments. As a member of CBO’s Management Team, you will provide strategic leadership, support office-wide operations, and contribute to setting direction for organizational priorities and staff development. You will serve as a trusted advisor to the City Budget Director, helping shape budget and policy decision through thoughtful analysis, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of organizational and community priorities.

You will work directly with the Mayor, senior executive staff, City Councilmembers, department directors, and finance management staff, to evaluate options, identify risks and opportunities, and develop recommendations on complex fiscal and policy issues. You will contribute to the implementation of high-level policy and budget decisions with long-term citywide impacts.

You will supervise a team of Fiscal & Policy Analysts, providing strategic guidance, coaching, mentorship, and oversight to ensure high-quality, timely, and analytically sound work. You will develop staff capabilities, foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and create opportunities for professional growth. Through regular coaching, feedback, and support, you will help staff strengthen their technical expertise, policy analysis skills, communication abilities, and understanding of City operations. We are looking for applicants who apply strong management, fiscal, and policy skills, across a wide range of issues and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment where staff are empowered to take ownership of their work, contribute new ideas, and grow as public sector leaders.

For this position, we are looking for people who are:

• Committed to racial and social justice, consistently applying an equity lens to decision-making, policy development, budget recommendations, workplace practices, and demonstrating this commitment in how you engage others, the work you produce, and the questions you ask.
• People and project managers, who establish clear expectations, maintain accountability, and are responsible for work products that are high-quality, consistency, timely, and support staff growth and team success.
• Strategic problem-solvers who can identify challenges, navigate competing priorities, and develop practical solutions, whether through financial strategies, operational improvements, analytic tools, or policy recommendations.
• Strong financial analysts, who are comfortable assessing financial and operational implications, and evaluating them within legal constraints and leadership guidelines.
• Trusted advisors and effective communicators who can distill complex issues into clear, actionable information; adapting communications methods and content to the needs and understanding of the audience and the sensitivity of the information, building relationships across functions; and navigating difficult conversations, negotiations, and conflict with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Strong writers and editors who prepare clear, concise, and persuasive materials, including City Council presentations, budget summaries, and briefing memos that support informed decision-making
• Dedicated coaches and mentors who invest in developing the skills, knowledge, confidence, and judgment of their team and partners, helping them to make connections between small details and big picture results, provide constructive feedback, foster critical thinking, and connecting technical details to broader organization goals, policy outcomes, and community impacts.
• Resilient and adaptable leaders who are energized by fast-paced, often ambiguous work environments, maintaining focus and effectiveness while reprioritizing work, managing change, communicating expectations, and guiding others through uncertainty.
• Effective collaborators and coordinators who can organize and align work across teams across organizations, facilitate productive partnerships, and represent CBO with credibility, professionalism, and strategic insight in internal and external settings.

Qualifications

THE APPLICATION

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the skills listed above through a combination of their work, education, and life experience as demonstrated in their resume, cover letter, and answers to supplemental questions. This application may be used for multiple manager openings during the first half of 2027.

Supplemental information

This full-time benefitted position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 3, Exempt in the City payroll system. It is exempt from the Civil Service System and FLSA (not eligible for overtime payment). The full pay range for this discretionary position is $61.90 - $92.84 per hour. The target salary range for this role has been identified as $85.00 - $92.00 per hour.

The position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work environment. Individual schedules will be agreed on between the employee and their supervisor and are subject to change based on operational needs.

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

In addition to completing the application fully at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle, please upload:

• A PDF of your current resume
• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and what skills and experience you would bring to it

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

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!

Who may apply: This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate their ability to perform this job. 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.?

Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov with questions or to request accommodations.