Executive Budget Analyst

Summary

About the Role

Under Executive Zahilay’s leadership, we are building an adaptable, mission-driven team. A team that will put ‘boots on the ground,’ prioritize outcomes over optics, build coalitions that drive progress, align resources with needs, solve problems with a ‘yes, and’ mindset and seek and use feedback to grow. These elements will ensure King County is a high performing government that is urgently and transparently delivering services that center those most impacted and improve the lives of residents. To support this vision, we are seeking a strategic, collaborative, detail oriented, and courageous Executive Budget Analyst.

Executive Budget Analysts in the King County Budget Office have a unique role supporting agencies, advising decision-makers, and coordinating budget processes, a nexus where technical analysis, public policy, priority alignment, and performance management meet. Although financial and budget-focused, Executive Budget Analysts are frequently involved in facilitation between policy and operations, system and process improvement, and broader planning activities. Similarly, while policies will be established by other functional areas, Executive Budget Analysts need to understand and identify the impact of budget decisions on policy and operations. Executive Budget Analysts need to have both technical analytical skills, the ability to build and maintain strong relationships, manage conflicting perspectives, and engage with external partners collaboratively.

Job Duties

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the development, preparation, and evaluation of department budgets and capital improvement plans, including an in-depth understanding of base budgets
• Examine agency proposals (budget requests, initiatives, legislation) for financial implications, budget impacts, and priority alignment and develop options and recommendations.
• Brief Budget Director, Budget Office management, and other County leaders on budget and financial issues. Communicate ideas and information to non-financial managers, elected officials, and other partners.
• Regularly monitor financial health, risks, and emerging issues for operating and capital funds.
• Develop clear financing models and financial plans for county operations and capital projects.
• Conduct enterprise-wide fiscal analysis as requested.
• Develop a thorough fiscal and legal understanding of funding sources and how they align to County priorities and operations. This includes revenues from voter approved bonds, local property tax collections, contract revenues, council approved fees and rates, and contributions from operating funds.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in the Executive Department on policy and performance issues aligned to assigned budget area.
• Represent the King County Budget Office in community meetings and meetings with County partners.
• Develop partnerships in the community that align to assigned budget area and inform recommendations. This work will also come from the direction of the Community Service & Response team in the Executive’s Office.
• Advance equity through resource allocations, ensuring that County budgets are consistent, fair, and aligned with Equity and Social Justice principles.

Values

• Serve with integrity, humility and empathy.
• Show initiative and work hard.
• Prioritize outcomes over optics.
• Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
• Solve problems with a “yes, and” mindset.
• Seek and use feedback.
• Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team.
• Drive for clarity.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking an analyst who can align budgets with policy priorities and communicate budget and fiscal issues to a broad audience. The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working with operating and capital budgets and capital improvement plans. Working knowledge of government finance.
• Comfort, skill, and experience managing complex projects and designing and managing processes that involve many people and span across organization.
• Strength with clarifying and communicating, and in some cases, deciding complex issues.
• Ability to innovate, embrace data, and solve fiscal problems. Comfort analyzing large data sets.
• Demonstrated work ethic and independent time management skills.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to new situations while working in a multi-faceted and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Talent for working with partners to address issues collaboratively.
• Deep commitment to equity, both in internal operations and in service delivery.
• Two years minimum of employment in a related field; In addition to work experience, may have a Master's degree in a related field or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Supplemental Information

Why Join Us

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the operational backbone of King County government. The Executive Budget Analyst will play a pivotal role in creating a more unified, efficient, and resident-centered government.

The King County Executive Department serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and frugal stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

We will work in the office at least three days a week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps. The team will represent the Executive with professionalism—including responsible social media conduct—and respond promptly when contacted. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive-level salary, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and leave benefits
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• Ability to make a meaningful impact on how King County delivers for its residents

Application Process