Funding Process Lead

Funding Process Lead

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is charged with transforming the lives of Seattle's children, youth, and families by eliminating opportunity gaps and preparing students for kindergarten, improving academic achievement, and ensuring students graduate prepared for college and a career. DEEL strives to embed the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative into its education objectives and seeks staff who value the importance of working together as a government and community to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity. Our core values of equity, results, stewardship, transparency, and collaboration guide our work, support our operations, and hold us accountable.

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is seeking a highly skilled Funding Process Lead to support the implementation of the City of Seattle's Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy.

This position plays a central role in coordinating complex, high-impact funding processes, including investment design and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), to ensure public investments are effectively translated into actionable funding opportunities and measurable outcomes.

The role requires advanced project management, cross-functional coordination, and process improvement skills to support multiple concurrent funding initiatives. The position works closely with policy, finance, contracting, and performance teams to ensure that funding processes align with City priorities, comply with procurement requirements, and advance equitable outcomes for Seattle communities.

Job Responsibilities

Your top 3 priorities will be:

• Implementing high-quality, compliant, and timely RFP processes aligned with FEPP Levy Investments.
• Translating policy and program strategies into actionable investment designs and funding opportunities.
• Establishing standardized, scalable processes that improve efficiency, transparency, and equity.

Here's more about what you'll be doing:

• Project Management of Investment Design
• Leading project management for multiple concurrent investment design processes supporting levy-funded initiatives.
• Developing and managing detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and decision frameworks.
• Coordinating data analysis, financial modeling, partner engagement, and development of investment strategies.
• Preparing briefing materials and recommendations for executive leadership.
• RFP Process Management and Coordination
• Managing end-to-end RFP processes, including scoping, drafting, evaluation, award recommendation, and transition to contracting.
• Developing and maintaining standardized templates, tools, and guidance to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance.
• Monitoring work products for quality, completeness, and alignment with City procurement requirements.
• Collaborating with procurement, legal, and internal teams to ensure compliance and timely execution.
• Cross-Functional Team Facilitation & Partner Coordination
• Convening and facilitating cross-departmental teams to ensure coordinated input and alignment across functions.
• Defining roles, responsibilities, workflows, and communication protocols.
• Providing technical assistance and guidance to staff and applicants regarding RFP processes and expectations.
• Supporting equitable and transparent participation in funding opportunities.
• Process Monitoring, Documentation & Quality Assurance
• Tracking progress using dashboards and workflow tools; monitor milestones and identify risks.
• Conducting quality assurance reviews to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Maintaining documentation to support accountability, audit readiness, and public disclosure requirements.
• Identifying and escalating process risks and operational challenges.
• Continuous Improvement
• Recommending and implementing process improvements based on data and partner feedback.
• Maintaining and refining standard operating procedures, templates, and process documentation.
• Applying continuous improvement and lean principles to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Supporting broader organizational initiatives to strengthen funding and contracting practices.

Your effectiveness in this role will depend on your ability to:

• Manage multiple concurrent priorities and meet deadlines
• Facilitate groups, build alignment, and support decision-making
• Apply equity principles in program design and implementation

You will feel prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:

• project management and organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing executive-level materials
• Proficiency with project management and data tracking tools

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Finance, Project Management, Computer Science or a related field.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in financial projects, project management, or financial analysis and operations related to City planning and development.
• OR
• Associate Degree in Public Administration, Finance, Project Management, Computer Science or a related field.
• Four (4) years of professional experience in financial projects, project management, or financial analysis and operations related to City planning and development.
• OR
• Five (5) years of professional experience in financial projects, project management, or financial analysis and operations related to City planning and development.

Additional Information

This civil service full-time position is eligible for overtime and is classified as a Planning and Development Specialist Senior – BU. It is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 - Professionals Unit.

Pay Range: The full pay range for this step-progression position is $56.23-$65.54 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $56.23 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

Schedule: This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three days a week. There will be the need for some occasional travel to other City offices. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Hiring Timeline: First interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for June 18, 2026 – June 24, 2026. Second interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for June 29, 2026 - July 2, 2026 with an anticipated start date of July 15 or 29.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Sandra Wong at View email address on click.appcast.io to request accommodation.

Language Premium: Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Background Check: Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:

Why work at the City? At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it's a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our