Strategic Deputy Director of Administration & Finance

State of Washington; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid remote work option

Job summary

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of WSDOT, seeks a senior management professional to lead administrative functions supporting safe, reliable ferry service. You will provide strategic leadership for accounting, purchasing, contracts and consultant services, and business development.

You will strengthen financial stewardship, oversee compliance with GAAP and GASB, monitor funding and expenditures, and guide senior leadership with actionable insights while developing the organization and

Qualifications

• Public‑Sector Business Integration: Expert knowledge of integrating accounting, procurement, contracts, purchasing, and business functions within a large public‑sector enterprise.
• Fiscal Compliance: Advanced knowledge of GAAP, GASB standards, OFM policies, and related fiscal statutes.
• Public Resource Management: Skill in directing large‑scale public resources and aligning fiscal decisions with long‑term organizational sustainability.
• Policy Development and Enforcement: Skill in developing, approving, and enforcing division‑wide administrative and financial policies.
• Risk Management and Internal Controls: Knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks and internal control systems within complex governmental organizations.
• Capital and Federal Funding Oversight: Knowledge of financial oversight requirements for large capital infrastructure programs and federally funded activities.
• Strategic and Operational Decision‑Making: Skill in making high‑impact strategic and operational decisions within delegated authority.
• Organizational Leadership: Skill in leading managers and professional staff across multiple organizational layers.
• Executive and Stakeholder Communication: Skill in communicating complex financial and administrative matters to executive leadership, oversight agencies, and legislative stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily Administration Department operations, aligning performance with strategic goals, approving reports and correspondence, and promoting collaboration.
• Lead accounting, purchasing, contracting and consultant services, and business development in alignment with the Director’s strategic direction.
• Oversee legal services and marine contract development and administration; coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office on risk and legal matters.
• Maintain accounting standards and fiscal controls, ensuring compliance with WSDOT and OFM policies, the state’s Budget and Accounting Act, GAAP, and GASB standards.
• Monitor funding and expenditures, analyze trends, and advise senior leadership; oversee reporting tools and financial information for internal and external audiences.
• Direct facility management and maintenance across multiple locations.
• Manage hiring, succession planning, evaluations, development plans, training, and progressive discipline; coach managers and exercise delegated appointing authority.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace that supports diversity, employee development, recognition, innovation, and organizational goals.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.

Skills

Public-Sector Financial Management

GAAP & GASB Knowledge

Strategic Leadership

Executive Communications

Job description

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of WSDOT, seeks a senior management professional to lead administrative functions supporting safe, reliable ferry service. You will provide strategic leadership for accounting, purchasing, contracts and consultant services, and business development.

You will strengthen financial stewardship, oversee compliance with GAAP and GASB, monitor funding and expenditures, and guide senior leadership with actionable insights while developing the organization and