Deputy Executive Director; Business Operations

Headquartered in Olympia, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) is led by a nine‑member governor‑appointed board and advocates for Washington state’s 34 public community and technical colleges. As the largest higher education system in Washington, the colleges work with students to achieve goals of transferring to a university, entering the workforce, learning basic skills, or continuing their education.

The deputy executive director for business operations is the primary financial officer for the community and technical college system, responsible for a $2.2 billion biennial operating budget, a $400 million capital budget, and managing the finances of approximately 200,000 students. The position oversees system tuition policy, resource acquisition and allocation, accounting, budgeting, and fiscal procedures, and provides information, guidance and assistance to colleges.

The role also advises colleges on business, finance, and resource‑related issues to state agencies and the Legislature, supports the board in defining and advocating resource requirements to executive and legislative branches, makes policy recommendations in all areas related to resource acquisition, distribution and accountability, and works integrally with the biennial budget process.

The deputy executive director leads a staff of about 30 people in Accounting & Business Services, Capital Budget, and Operating Budget, and drives a Shared Services Model supporting college business offices.

• Support Washington’s community and technical college system’s mission and vision.
• Think and plan strategically; examine, create, and advocate for policies and practices that support the overall college system vision and mission.
• Be an equity‑minded leader who supports the agency and college system in its efforts to lead with racial equity.
• Grow and empower staff; create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
• Build relationships with peers and colleagues.
• Develop and recommend system financial policies related to equitable resource acquisition, distribution, and accountability.
• Develop strategies and processes to monitor the fiscal health and sustainability of system colleges and recommend and oversee interventions as needed.
• Supervise the preparation of college system operating and capital budget requests.
• Lead efforts to develop governor and legislative understanding of college system resource needs and support appropriations and legislation relating to college financing and human resource activities.
• Lead staff coordination with the Office of Financial Management, legislative staff, Washington Student Achievement Council, other higher education institutions and state agencies in matters relating to state and college finance policy.
• Supervise the equitable allocation and distribution of financial resources within the college system.
• Supervise development, maintenance, and compliance with system‑wide procedures for accounting, budgeting, allocation, and reporting of college financial resources.
• Participate, as a member of SBCTC’s leadership team, in agency and system discussions on a wide range of issues affecting the agency and/or the colleges to support students and communities.
• Collaborate and confer with System Presidents and Business Officers on matters related to finance, budget, accounting, compliance, and risk management.
• Assess needs and develop strategies to assist colleges with business processes and automation.
• Collaborate with Information Technology on developing and implementing strategies for system‑wide business process alignments, automation, and other business efficiencies.
• Work with the Business Affairs Commission on leadership development and training programs to strengthen the skills of Business Office employees at all levels.

• Five years of professional experience in an administrative capacity in a community and technical college, university, or related business setting.
• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a Master’s degree and five years of professional experience in accounting, budgeting, and/or financial experience, preferably in…