Director of Finance & Business Operations Division in Seattle, Washington at King County

King County is one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, and we are building innovative, people centered systems that support mobility, equity, and climate resilience throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Finance & Business Operations Division (FBOD) plays a critical enterprise role by providing equitable and exceptional value to customers for finance/accounting, procurement, treasury, and small business services. We are seeking an experienced, visionary, and highly collaborative Director to lead this complex, high impact division. The Director will champion operational and financial excellence; advance equity and social justice (ESJ); cultivate a high performing, engaged workforce; and ensure that King County’s financial and business operations support exceptional service delivery across the enterprise.

This is a strategic, people centered role for a leader who excels at navigating complexity, shaping organizational culture, and driving results that improve how government works.

About the Finance & Business Operations Division

FBOD primarily delivers internal services to County departments/agencies with some direct services provided to businesses, special districts, and taxpayers. FBOD includes about 200 employees organized into lines of business supporting the following functions: (1) financial reporting, central accounting, accounts receivable, and grants compliance; (2) central procurement, accounts payables, and capital project contract compliance; (3) treasury operations, including cash management and the billing and collection of property taxes; (4) debt management and investments, including the issuance of bonds and management of the King County Investment Pool; and (5) administration of the contracting opportunities program, along with oversight of the apprenticeship and priority hire programs. Our vision — “Count on Us” — reflects our commitment to employee and customer success, equity, resource stewardship, and operational excellence.

We are looking for a strategic, innovative leader who can guide a multifaceted organization through continuous improvement, cultural change, and enterprise modernization.

I. Enterprise Financial Leadership & Stewardship

• Guide enterprise financial and operational strategy aligned with the King County’s major policy goals including an emphasis on delivering “better government” with enhanced transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
• Oversee enterprise financial stewardship, including annual financial reports, internal controls, Executive policies, audits and responses to audits. and compliance with laws/regulations.
• Promote consistency and equity in countywide financial and administrative practices across departments/divisions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to department and county leadership on financial, operational, and policy issues.
• Oversee complex, multiagency initiatives, ensuring alignment, strong governance, and successful delivery.

II. Division-wide Operational & Program Leadership

• Lead division-wide visioning, strategic planning, and long-term organizational direction.
• Direct internal service functions such as Finance, Human Resources, Continuous Improvement, ESJ, and business operations.
• Build a culture of learning, accountability, continuous improvement (“LEAN”), and equitable outcomes.
• Oversee division-level budget development, financial monitoring, internal controls, forecasting, and resource allocations.
• Ensure modern, transparent, customer focused operations, systems and performance measures that support effective decisions.
• Lead development of division policies, operational strategies, best practices, and enterprise standards.
• Navigate complexity and change, ensuring the organization adapts, innovates, and maintains high performance.

III. People Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Coach and empower a diverse leadership team, fostering collaboration and shared accountability.
• Strengthen workforce engagement using data, feedback, and continuous improvement practices.
• Model King County values through emotional intelligence, integrity, courage, and clear communication.
• Build an equitable, trusting, and psychologically safe environment where employees have high engagement and feel valued and supported.

IV. Performance, Innovation & Equity Leadership

• Use data and analytics to guide operational, financial, and strategic improvements.
• Advance equity centered systems and embed ESJ mindset and practices in daily work.
• Promote LEAN continuous improvement thinking and actions to drive efficient, customer focused operations.

Essential Competencies & Leadership Attributes

• Strategic and analytical thinking with the ability to anticipate trends and future needs.
• Clear, effective communication across diverse audiences.
• Ability to build trust, collaborate, and lead through ambiguity.
• Strength in managing complexity, driving change, and aligning teams toward shared outcomes.
• Commitment to customer service, transparency, equity, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrates learning agility, managerial courage, and effective conflict management.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate a combination of education and experience that prepares them for this executive leadership role, including:

• Demonstrated mastery of public-sector financial practices and enterprise operations, gained through progressively responsible leadership roles in large, complex organizations.
• Significant experience as a people leader, including management of operational, analytical, or administrative teams.
• Proven success developing and implementing strategic initiatives, policies, or enterprise systems.
• Experience establishing internal control procedures that improved compliance.
• Experience managing complex projects, including multidisciplinary teams and cross agency initiatives.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage senior and executive leadership.
• Ability to manage conflict, build consensus, and exercise sound judgment and managerial courage.
• Emotional intelligence and a leadership style grounded in humility, listening, and recognition of employee contributions.
• Experience leading preparation or oversight of complex financial reports (annual financial statements, treasury reports, audit responses).
• Proven ability to manage large-scale municipal debt portfolios, ensuring responsible financing strategies, risk mitigation, and long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Maintains comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations pertaining to governmental and enterprise fund accounting and auditing standards.

Highly Desirable

• Demonstrated leadership in Equity & Social Justice, including comfort leading discussions about equitable service delivery.
• Experience using LEAN principles, continuous improvement, and performance measures to drive results.
• Strong knowledge of accounting, auditing, taxation, investment, procurement and budgeting principles.

• This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This position is not represented by a union.
• Our successful candidate must pass references and a background check

Why King County?

• Competitive – healthcare plans
• Free – transportation options
• Manager Support – structured employee assistance program
• Paid – vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
• Paid – sick leave
• Deferred – compensation plan
• Twelve – paid holidays
• Awesome - Employee Giving Program

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Are you ready to APPLY?

The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified applicants. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter and resume. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Irwin, Talent Management Supervisor, by e-mail at jirwin@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-263-0601. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn.