Partnerships and Communications Lead

The Office of City Finance (OCF) OCF is responsible for the financial operations of the City of Seattle. While working closely with the City's Budget Office. OCF oversees the City's financial control functions and enterprise reporting responsibilities and supports the goals set by the Mayor and the City Council by providing financial information and expertise. The Office of City Finance champions race and social justice and works progressively to realize the City's vision of racial equity by participating in the Race and Social Justice Initiative - RSJI, which requires fostering a relational culture and an openness to learn and apply new ideas and skills through an equity lens.

OCF is currently seeking a skilled Partnerships and Communications Lead for the Director's Office. The Director's Office is a small, dynamic team that supports the City Finance Director. The Director's Office manages OCF's external financial partnerships and ensures effective collaboration with key stakeholders. The Office is also responsible for communications and outreach, including handling media requests, addressing licensing and tax inquiries, and Coordinating Citywide communications.  

This role is focused on complex financial, policy, and operational initiatives that support Departments across the City. This set of responsibilities includes preparing and submitting reports to the City Council, the Mayor's Office, and the City Budget Office (CBO), while providing technical expertise, financial and policy analysis, and project management for special initiatives. 

Additionally, this role involves leading all OCF communications needs. The lead in this role must have a strong executive presence, as they will regularly engage with department leaders and senior management, including the Mayor's Office, City Budget Office, the City Law Department, and the City Council. This individual must be adept at presenting complex information (financial and otherwise), with the ability to tailor their communication to provide high-level overviews or in-depth details depending on the audience's needs. 

This position plays a vital role for the city within the Director’s Office in OCF. This role will spend approximately half of their time on communication/outreach responsibilities, and about half on partnership responsibilities. Examples of duties for this role include: 

Communications and Outreach

• Managing all department-wide communication needs/requests, including media requests and citywide communication needs
• Proactively identifying outreach needs across OCF divisions and partnering with Division Directors to support ongoing outreach efforts
• Communicating and coordinating updates with the City Budget Office (CBO) to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with key stakeholders

Strategic Planning and Initiatives

• Supporting departmental strategic planning efforts and ongoing communications around efforts
• Managing high-priority special projects that arise as part of the ongoing Director’s Office needs related to partnerships and special initiatives

Financial and Operational Support

• Supporting deep-dives and ad-hoc financial analysis related to projects with City partners
• Leading or contributing to interdepartmental projects that require significant stakeholder management and project planning
• Supporting the Chief of Staff in monitoring the annual Office of City Finance budget
• Stepping in as a back-up for the Chief of Staff, as needed

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Finance, Business, or other field involving extensive course work in economic or financial analysis 
• And four years of professional experience in policy or financial management.  
• Two years of professional experience in an internal or external communications role or a bachelor’s degree in communications or other related field.  
• Advanced excel / financial analysis skills.  

(Combinations of education and/or training and/or experience that provide an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class will be considered.) 

Though not requirements, desirable candidates will have some of the following experience, skills, and ability:

Skills

• Robust project management and strategic planning abilities.
• Skilled in tracking, documenting, and analyzing budget actions and legislative matters; proficient in managing public disclosure requests and media relations in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office.
• Skilled in both internal and external government communications, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across stakeholders.

Experience 

• Proven experience in managing legislative processes, including drafting and submitting legislation, as well as effectively communicating and coordinating legislative updates with the City Budget Office (CBO).
• Demonstrated ability to handle financial policy matters and collaborate with interdepartmental teams, along with a strong track record of leading complex projects and managing multi-stakeholder efforts.
• Proven excellent communication skills, including managing high-profile media requests and navigating sensitive public communications.
• Demonstrated success in managing public disclosure processes and responding to high-visibility information requests.

Ability 

• Navigate complex legislative, budgetary, and policy processes while ensuring compliance with regulations; analyze and present financial and policy data clearly to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Demonstrate flexibility and comfort working with individuals at all levels of City government, OCF, and other key stakeholders; adapt to changing priorities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Integrate racial equity and social justice principles into decision-making and daily operations, ensuring these values are reflected in all aspects of the work.

PAY
 This full-time position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 2, Exempt. The full salary range for this position is $54.60- $81.93 per hour. After a pay equity and budget analysis, the salary range for this role has been identified as $54.60- $70.00 per hour.

Workplace Schedule/Environment:

Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility (minimum 3 days/week in-office). Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Work is performed both in an office environment.

Application Process:

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on the scheduled closed date.

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
3. Current resume indicating relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and education.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

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.

Why work at the City of Seattle? The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

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: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans 

Who May Apply: This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The city encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.