Deputy Executive Director (Business Operations)

Salary: $215,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 15620
Department: State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC)
Division: Executive
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 7/10/2026 4:59 PM Pacific


Description
View the complete description on our Jobs page.

Headquartered in Olympia, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) is led by a nine-member governor-appointed board and advocates, coordinates and directs Washington state's system of 34 public community and technical colleges. As the largest higher education system in Washington state, our colleges work with students as they achieve their goals of transferring to a university, entering the workforce, learning basic skills, or continuing their education.

The deputy executive director for business operations is the primary financial officer for the community and technical college system, with overall responsibility for agency and college system finance which encompasses a $2.2 billion biennial operating budget, $400 million capital budget, and 200,000 headcount of students. This position is responsible for system tuition policy; resource acquisition and allocation; accounting, budgeting, and other fiscal procedures necessary to maintain proper accountability in the conduct of system financial affairs. The position supports college business operations through providing information, guidance and assistance.

The position also provides guidance and assistance for colleges on a variety of business, finance and resource related issues to state agencies and the Legislature. The position assists the Board in defining and advocating college system resource requirements to the executive and legislative branches of state government and makes policy recommendations to the Board in all areas relating to resource acquisition, distribution and accountability. This position also works integrally with the biennial budget process.

The position leads a staff of approximately 30 people working in: Accounting & Business Services, Capital Budget, and Operating Budget. This position is also leading efforts of a Shared Services Model providing support to colleges in business office and related functions.

The successful applicant will possess a strong understanding of higher education finance including funding, the legislative process, the ability to build relationships across agencies, and an understanding of state government. The successful candidate will also have a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.


As leaders in their field, qualified candidates for the deputy executive director for business operations should be prepared to show that they can:

• Support Washington's community and technical college system's mission and vision.
• Think and plan strategically; examine, create, and advocate for policies and practices that support the overall college system vision and mission.
• Be an equity-minded leader who will support the agency and college system in its efforts to lead with racial equity.
• Grow and empower staff; create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
• Build relationships with peers and colleagues.

Duties

• Develop and recommend system financial policies related to equitable resource acquisition, distribution, and accountability.
• Develop strategies and processes to monitor the fiscal health and sustainability of system colleges and recommend and oversee interventions as needed.
• Supervise the preparation of college system operating and capital budget requests.
• Lead efforts to develop governor and legislative understanding of college system resource needs and support of appropriations and legislation relating to college financing and human resource activities.
• Lead staff coordination with the Office of Financial Management, legislative staff, Washington Student Achievement Council, other higher education institutions and state agencies (auditor, treasurer, etc.) in matters relating to state and college finance policy.
• Supervise the equitable allocation and distribution of financial resources within the college system.
• Supervise the development, maintenance of, and compliance with system wide procedures for the accounting, budgeting, allocation, and reporting of college financial resources.
• Participate, as a member of SBCTC's leadership team, in agency and system discussions on a wide range of issues affecting the agency and/or the colleges¿ ability to support students and communities.
• Collaborate and Confer with System Presidents and Business Officers on matters related to finance, budget, accounting, compliance, and risk management.
• Assess needs and develop strategies to assist colleges with business processes and automation.
• Collaborate with Information Technology on developing and implementing strategies for systemwide business process alignments, automation, and other business efficiencies.
• Work with the Business Affairs Commission on leadership development and training programs to strengthen the skills of Business Office employees at all levels.

Qualifications
The successful candidate must have:

• Five years of professional experience in an administrative capacity in a community and technical college, university, or related business setting.
• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a Master's degree and five years of professional experience in accounting, budgeting, and/or financial experience, preferably in a community or technical college.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of concepts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion; anti-racism; racial, and economic justice and experience with leading staff to implement strategies.
• Demonstrated understanding of culture in higher education, financial and political issues, shared governance, collective bargaining, and the intersection between finance, budgeting, human resources and large-scale enterprise resource planning systems.
• Successful management, customer service and organizational change experience, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Successful experience with developing partnerships and collaborative problem-solving with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues effectively to a variety of audiences.

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Letter of formal application that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job.
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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026