Budget Director (hybrid or remote within WA State)

Seattle Colleges District Office is looking to hire a Budget Director in the department of Finance and Business Affairs.

Salary Range for this position is $ $113,792 to $157,140 annually (depending on experience).

Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin January 19th, 2026. 

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Budget and Financial Reporting, the Director of Budget is responsible for the development, implementation, and fiscal monitoring of the District Office's (one of four operating units of Seattle Colleges) budgets. This position is also primarily responsible for developing and reporting on budget or financial activities at a districtwide reporting level - capturing each operating unit individually as well as for the Seattle Colleges District (SCD) as a whole. The position is responsible for creating complex reports, conducting analyses, and reporting for both the District Office's unit as well as SCD as a whole. The position functions as the primary district liaison between staff to distribute and reconcile state appropriations and create complex analyses to determine the impacts of decisions regarding how resources are shared among the four operating units. The position is also responsible for modeling and providing financial analyses for all of the District Office's divisions and being the primary support person for divisional leaders in managing their budgets.

The position provides financial analysis, reconciliation, and data compilation work in support of creating SCD's annual financial statements and preparation work for the annual audit. 

The position may be responsible for supervising student, hourly or temporary employees. 

This position is 100% Remote or Hybrid within the State of Washington working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, primarily between the hours of 7am-5pm.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation. 

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including: 

• Competitive Pay Rates 
• Promotional Opportunities 
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans 
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave 
• Transportation benefits 
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan 
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

 

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume
• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job 
• Attached document with YES/NO answers to the following questions:

1. Do you have a bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or Business Administration that includes at least 18 quarter hours or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting?

2. Do you have demonstrated advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, experience with writing SQL or other queries and/or similar analytical tools? (An excel test will be administered as a part of the hiring process)

3. Do you have demonstrated experience working with principles and procedures of governmental budgeting and accounting; internal auditing principles, procedures and practices; financial records and reports; recognized methods used in affecting internal control; and methods of accounting systems design?

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants: 
Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Seattle Colleges is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

What you will be working on:

District Office's Budget Director:

• Manage the comprehensive financial oversight of the operating budget and fiscal activities in local/auxiliary funds by accurately and efficiently processing transactions, monitoring activities and providing timely and accurate financial information to management.
• Analyze revenue and expenditure activity across divisions and program areas to ensure compliance with budgeted funding; communicate variances and their implications to management. Ensure that state appropriated funds are on target to be spent fully and report any variances or concerns that arise.
• Manage the annual budget development process by working with divisional leadership to create a balanced and accurate budget. Maintain a comprehensive position control system that reconciles to the board approved budget, human resources organization charts and actual payroll transactions.
• Provide expert guidance, training and/or support for all budgeting functions, including reading budget reports, navigating ctcLink queries and approval queues, budget transfers, understanding chartstrings and payroll combo codes. 
• Prepare the monthly Budget Status Report for each of the divisions and conduct a preliminary assessment and summarize concerns or unusual trends for management review or action.
• Review and approve financial transactions to ensure accuracy in chart of accounts usage and availability of budgeted funds. Transaction examples include invoice vouchers, purchase orders, personnel chartstrings and combo coding, stipends, travel, receivables, etc. Consult with requestors as required to resolve issues through training and/or budget revisions. 
• Monitor and ensure compliance with established internal control processes and procedures. Monitor and report internal control and compliance risks for mitigation.
• Communicate and coordinate with the Seattle Colleges Foundation staff to ensure that programs have timely access to the funds that are available to them through the Foundation. Bill the Foundation for amounts owed or reimbursements received and ensure receipt of those funds in a timely manner. Set up the Advancement Division budgets in ctcLink and provide information as needed to the Foundation finance staff for reporting purposes. 
• Onboard budget managers and support staff familiarize them with their fiscal responsibilities and resources, provide training using established training resources.
• Districtwide Budget and Financial Reporting role:
• Coordinate budget development documentation and processes needed to compile a districtwide budget ensuring all four operating units are accounted for in the rolled-up data that the Board adopts annually. Use complex problem-solving to ensure that revenues, expenses and fund transfers are appropriately accounted for.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting to provide complex analysis of districtwide budget and actual financial information on an ad-hoc basis for executives to assist with high-level financial decisions. 
• Analyze and maintain the prescribed breakdown of State Funding allocations to the Seattle Colleges District and the subsequent distribution of those funds to each college and the district office. Reconcile the initial state allocation and all subsequent allocations and report any changes to the colleges for inclusion into their operating budgets. 
• Provide oversight and regular reporting to the colleges on state appropriation spending and inform leadership where appropriations are not being utilized or are in danger of being left unspent at year-end. 
• Prepare the monthly Budget Status Reports for each of the colleges and the district office and compile a districtwide report of those four operating units. Conduct a preliminary assessment and summarize concerns or unusual trends for management review or action. 
• Assist in monthly, quarterly and annual financial closing processes including monitoring spending and creating general ledger journal entries as needed.
• Provide accounting analysis and compilation support in preparation of the annual financial statements and pre-engagement provided by client (PBC) audit documentation.
• Perform accounting analysis and evidence gathering assistance for auditor requests for information and substantiation.
• Establish and maintain high standards of professional and ethical working environment that promotes teamwork and organizational values. Maintain knowledge and expertise of budget, accounting, and purchasing systems to provide technological expertise for complex financial analysis and management of college and district budgets.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration including at least 18 quarter hours or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting. 
• Demonstrated ability setting goals and standards consistent with high internal and external customer satisfaction 
• Demonstrated experience working with principles and procedures of governmental budgeting and accounting; internal auditing principles, procedures and practices; financial records and reports; recognized methods used in affecting internal control; and methods of accounting systems design. 
• Demonstrated experience in the use of complex computerized budget/accounting systems. 
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, experience with writing SQL or other queries and/or similar analytical tools.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, apply, and effectively communicate in-depth understanding of federal, state, and local government laws, regulations, policies, and procedures across functional areas.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to help managers who have a limited background in finance to master the basic financial competencies required to fulfill their duties. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, incorporating complex systems, and multiple time-sensitive demands 
• Demonstrated ability to empower people to do their best work, including demonstrated effective coaching skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work directly and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in a higher education or similar setting. 
• Demonstrated evidence of effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, sexual orientation, and socio- economic backgrounds, and with diverse physical and learning abilities.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

OFFICE SETTING:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants: 

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings 

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, hair texture or protective hairstyles, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of "bullying" behaviors, including "cyber bullying."

Students, employees, and applicants at Seattle Colleges can reach the Title IX Coordinator or ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for questions about discrimination, harassment or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement 

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.