Executive Budget Analyst

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

King County is seeking an Executive Budget Analyst to join the Budget Office. This role supports agencies, advises decisionmakers, and coordinates budget processes where policy and operations intersect.

The ideal candidate will be collaborative, accountable, and adept at driving equity through resource allocations while working with internal teams and external partners. In-person work is expected in the King County office.

Qualifications

• Experience with operating and capital budgets and capital improvement plans.
• Ability to manage complex projects and design/manage processes involving many people.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development, preparation, and evaluation of department budgets and capital improvement plans, including base budgets.
• Examine agency proposals for financial implications, budget impacts, and priority alignment; develop options and recommendations.
• Brief Budget Director, Budget Office management, and other County leaders on budget and financial issues.

Job description

King County is launching an ambitious effort to ensure that government delivers high-quality, efficient and equitable services to every resident. To support this work, we are seeking a collaborative, strategic, and knowledgeable Executive Budget Analyst.

The ideal candidate will be an individual who thrives as part of a team, takes pride in holding themself accountable for their work, and has a passion for serving our King County communities.

Executive Budget Analysts in the King County Budget Office have a unique role supporting agencies, advising decisionmakers, and coordinating budget processes, a nexus where technical analysis, public policy, priority alignment, and performance management meet. Although financial and budget-focused, Executive Budget Analysts are frequently involved in facilitation between policy and operations, system and process improvement, and broader planning activities. Similarly, while policies will be established by other functional areas, Executive Budget Analysts need to understand and identify the impact of budget decisions on policy and operations. Executive Budget Analysts need to have both technical analytical skills, the ability to build and maintain strong relationships, manage conflicting perspectives, and engage with external partners collaboratively.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the development, preparation, and evaluation of department budgets and capital improvement plans, including an in-depth understanding of base budgets
• Examine agency proposals (budget requests, initiatives, legislation) for financial implications, budget impacts, and priority alignment and develop options and recommendations.
• Brief Budget Director, Budget Office management, and other County leaders on budget and financial issues. Communicate ideas and information to non-financial managers, elected officials, and other partners.
• Regularly monitor financial health, risks, and emerging issues for operating and capital funds.
• Develop clear financing models and financial plans for county operations and capital projects.
• Conduct enterprise-wide fiscal analysis as requested.
• Develop a thorough fiscal and legal understanding of funding sources and how they align to County priorities and operations. This includes revenues from voter approved bonds, local property tax collections, contract revenues, council approved fees and rates, and contributions from operating funds.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in the Executive Department on policy and performance issues aligned to assigned budget area.
• Represent the King County Budget Office in community meetings and meetings with County partners.
• Develop partnerships in the community that align to assigned budget area and inform recommendations. This work will also come from the direction of the Community Service & Response team in the Executive’s Office.
• Advance equity through resource allocations, ensuring that County budgets are consistent, fair, and aligned with Equity and Social Justice principles.

Expectations

• A focus on being present in King County to connect and build relationships with those we serve and those with whom we partner.
• In the office a minimum of 3 days a week. There may be additional in-person days required. Meetings may not have a call-in option for required in-person days, and the expectation is to be in the office.
• Be on time, respectful of others’ time, and responsive when needed.
• Bring an urgency to the work. We will start fast. The work will be intense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.
• Meetings will have written expectations, including an agenda with the goals and outcomes. Owners and next steps will be clear.
• Processes and work will continuously improve.

Values

• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Timely
• Impactful

Value Employees

• Accessible
• Trusted
• Equitable

We are seeking an analyst who can align budgets with policy priorities and communicate budget and fiscal issues to a broad audience. The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working with operating and capital budgets and capital improvement plans. Working knowledge of government finance.
• Comfort, skill, and experience managing complex projects and designing and managing processes that involve many people and span across organization.
• Strength with clarifying and communicating, and in some cases, deciding complex issues.
• Ability to innovate, embrace data, and solve fiscal problems. Comfort analyzing large data sets.
• Demonstrated work ethic and independent time management skills.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to new situations while working in a multi-faceted and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Talent for working with partners to address issues collaboratively.
• Deep commitment to equity, both in internal operations and in service delivery.
• Two years minimum of employment in a related field; In addition to work experience, may have a Master's degree in a related field or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Why Join Us

The King County Executive Office serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and frugal stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive executive-level salary, commensurate with experience

Comprehensive health, retirement, and leave benefits

Professional development and leadership growth opportunities

Ability to make a meaningful impact on how King County delivers for its residents

For questions regarding this selection process, please contact Brittany Hagen Crosser, [e-mail] or 206-477-4035.