Assistant Director of Budget; WMS

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency that plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system across Washington. With over 20,000 lane miles, 4,100 bridges, the world’s longest floating bridge, an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, and the largest ferry system in the nation, WSDOT continually seeks dedicated professionals to support our mission.

The Budget and Financial Analysis (BFA) Division seeks an Assistant Director (AD) of Budget to oversee a $12 billion, biennial budget spanning multiple fund sources and appropriations. The AD will lead and supervise a team of budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning professionals, ensuring integrity, credibility, and effective management of the department’s financial operations.

• Lead and supervise professional budget office staff, conduct appraisals, define expectations, and foster staff development.
• Identify and evaluate risk and opportunities, monitor short‑ and long‑term goals, and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Respond to inquiries from legislative staff, legislators, executive staff, and other stakeholders.
• Manage budget program restructures and provide historical data for the Legislative Evaluating and Accountability Program (LEAP).
• Coordinate biennial and supplemental budget requests with OFM, providing training and tools to support efficient budget development processes.
• Anticipate and identify financial problems, recommend solutions, and inform strategic decisions, monitoring spend variance.
• Monitor expenditure trends, prepare financial reports (e.g., OFM variance reports, Quarterly Financial Report by program), and ensure compliance with statutes and legislative intent.
• Supervise the projected salary base using the Salary Projection System.

• Advanced education or experience in financial/business management, with proven ability to manage large, complex budgets.
• Knowledge of state budget processes and ability to develop, implement, and evaluate financial strategies.
• Leadership and supervisory experience with high emotional intelligence and mentoring skills.
• Expertise in fiscal accountability, alignment with organizational goals, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving, and communication skills for presenting complex information.
• Digital literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel (expert or skilled). Experience with SharePoint is a plus.
• Commitment to continuous learning and a service‑oriented approach.

• State legislative and federal budget expertise.
• Technical proficiency in O365 and financial reporting tools.
• Experience navigating complex political environments.

Submit an electronic application and include:

• Cover Letter (max 2 pages) explaining interest, challenges, and opportunities in WSDOT’s budget.
• Resume (reverse chronological order).
• References (minimum of three individuals).

Click the “APPLY” button to proceed. You will be prompted to sign in or create an account.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Persons with disabilities may contact the recruiter for assistance with the application process or a job application in an alternative format.

Inquiries:
Robyn.

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