License and Tax Administrator

The Office of City Finance (OCF). OCF is responsible for the City licenses and tax administration for the City of Seattle. OCF oversees the City’s financial control functions and enterprise reporting responsibilities and supports the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council by providing financial information OCF seeks an innovative, equity-driven leader to head the License & Tax Administration (LTA) Division.

The Office of City Finance champions race and social justice and works progressively to realize the City’s vison of racial equity by participating in the Race and Social Justice (RSJ), which require fostering a relational culture and an openness to learn and apply new ideas and skill through an equity lens. The Director of License and Tax Administration sets the strategic vision and leads the administration, assessment, and collection of City tax revenue—ensuring Seattle’s tax laws are implemented accurately, fairly, consistently, and efficiently, while helping taxpayers understand their business license and tax obligations.

This includes the administration of the Seattle Business License Tax Certificate, the business license (B&O) tax, payroll expense tax, social housing tax, utility user taxes and other business excise taxes. LTA collects over $1B annually, manages multiple tax programs, oversees audit and policy functions, and leads tax system modernization.

• Provide overall leadership for City License & Tax Administration, including policy setting, execution, and performance monitoring.
• Develop and execute taxpayer outreach and education strategies; represent LTA in high-visibility internal and external forums.
• Lead taxpayer compliance strategies and operations (discovery, audit, delinquency management) and ensure effective, timely tax enforcement.
• Oversee taxpayer and licensee account management; improve filing processes, forms, instructions, training, and materials.
• Serve as business owner for tax administration systems; guide the modernization and migration to an integrated tax system.
• Partner with the City Attorney’s Office on tax rule making and litigation; oversee legal support tied to policy and audit findings.
• Collaborate with the Association of Washington Cities to help manage implementation/administration of the Municipal Model B&O tax ordinance across Washington municipal jurisdictions.
• Manage strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, and operations for the division; cultivate a culture of fairness, equity, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Engage with legislative staff on tax policy issues during regular sessions and coordinate with the City Finance Director’s office as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, accounting, finance, economics, or related field.
• 5–10 years relevant experience with Washington tax experience preferred.
• 5–10 years supervisory or leadership experience.

• CPA, master’s degree, or JD preferred.
• Broad knowledge of Washington Municipal B&O tax.
• Strong practitioner relationships statewide.

• Relationship building.
• Equity-aligned leadership.
• Legislative communication.
• Strong analysis and problem-solving.
• Independent enforcement oversight.

This full-time position is classified as Executive 2. It is not covered under the Civil Service System and is FLSA-exempt (not eligible for overtime pay). The full salary range for this position is $66.88 - $110.35 per hour. After a pay equity and budget analysis, the salary range for this role has been identified as $90-105 per hour.

Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility (minimum 3 days/week in-office). Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the…