Senior Budget Analyst

Senior Budget Analyst

This position reports directly to the Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Optimization (CIO) and provides dedicated financial management support across the Department of Technology Services (DoTS) and the Plans & Programs office (EPMO). The Senior Budget Analyst serves as the embedded FinOps partner for both Capital Levy and operational funding - supporting budget development, BEX and BTA levy planning, expenditure tracking, forecasting, financial compliance, and state and federal reporting and auditing across a complex, multi-year technology and projects investment portfolio. The role requires close coordination with DoTS and EPMO leadership to align project-level spend plans with levy authorization, operational allocations, and district financial policy. This position serves as a finance leader who develops and manages complex budgets and or management processes including General Fund interdependencies between Capital and Grant programs and operational processes such as annual central budget development and reporting and financial support for labor negotiations. This role also partners with Grants, Accounting and Payroll to improve, streamline, and facilitate finance processes. Assists the Budget Director Financial Management with monitoring complex department budgets and district revenues to ensure variances are identified and incorporated into total district financial management data. Assists the Executive Budget Director with special projects in support of new district initiatives.

This position requires:

• 30% Develops financial management or monitoring processes for district-wide activities such as central budget development, capital program interfaces and grants management.
• Reviews budget reporting and monitoring requirements and assists in the development, implementation, and analysis of new, revised, or proposed budget systems and reports.
• Makes recommendations to the Executive Director of Budget regarding potential major process changes.
• 15% Analyzes complex revenue formulas and calculates revenue and expenditure trends to support informed decision making.
• Identifies major financial cost or revenue risks to the district based on program changes or proposals.
• Performs cost analysis and develops reports related to proposed program changes or new district initiatives.
• 15% Initiates and conducts special projects in support of district goals
• Determines timelines and tasks required to achieve required outcomes and develops action plans and required tools.
• 10% Monitors and coordinates financial interactions between the Capital Fund and General Fund
• Sets recommended budget transfer amounts and capital to general fund revenue estimates.
• 10% Provides financial and advisory support for collective bargaining/employee agreements.
• Analyzes proposals and documents annual and multi-year contract costs and funding sources.
• Develops budget coding and processes for tracking new contract items and ensures resources are loaded into the district financial system.
• 10% Research local economic and legislative data.
• Maintains current knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations to assess the fiscal impact of economic and policy changes.
• Interprets District budget and finances for the public, employee groups, and other agencies.
• 10% Selects, assigns, supervises, schedules, and evaluates the work of assigned staff.
• Advises, assists and trains assigned staff in new processes.

Relevant competencies include:

• Strategic Agility & Innovation Management Anticipates future consequences and trends accurately; brings creative ideas to market; recognizes strategic opportunities for change; creates competitive and breakthrough strategies.
• Managing and Measuring Work Clearly assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress, and results; designs feedback loops into work.
• Conflict Management Successfully mediates conflict between individuals and groups; can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably; can find common ground and obtain cooperation with minimum noise.
• Collaboration Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.
• Getting Results (Action Oriented) Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.
• Decision Quality & Problem Solving Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.
• Integrity Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
• Accountability Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Knowledgeable in Washington State financial requirements for school districts.
• Proficient in the interpretation and application of laws, rules, and regulations that govern work processes.
• Ability to apply principles and practices of budget development, management, and oversight.
• Analyze problems and implements solutions.
• Work effectively with individuals and groups regarding sensitive or controversial issues.
• Mentor and provide leadership and direction to other budget staff and district financial leaders
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Take individual initiative, accept responsibility, and be held accountable.
• Coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Adapt to change and remain flexible.
• Understands how to employ methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
• Expertise in identifying financial drivers for assigned high risk budget areas.
• Ability to work independently and to plan, organize and prioritize work while managing multiple large tasks under the pressure of inflexible deadlines.

Typical qualifications include:

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Five (5) years of experience in Financial Management, Budget development, or Analysis. Master's degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required work experience; Bachelor's degree in Financial Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field; additional work experience can substitute for the educational requirement on a year-to-year basis; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered. CLEARANCES: Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check