BUDGET MANAGER

Under general direction, supervises, manages, coordinates, and administers the activities, operations, processes, and procedures of assigned area within the Budget Division; supervises a team of financial/budget analysts and manages agency-wide programs, such as the annual operating budget development and approval process, capital budgeting process, project management oversight process, and transit operations cost analysis and control. The manager performs in a senior technical or team leader role for the agency's budgeting processes including providing fiscal information and analysis in support of Board actions, policy development, and agreements and procurement review, as well as other areas of responsibility in assigned functional area.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
In area of assignment:

• Supervises all direct reports; plans, assigns, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the Budget Division and all related staff; evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations and provides constructive feedback.
• Manages performance and development of all direct reports; coaches, trains and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; manages employee relations; takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary; provides process and business analysis leadership to less experienced team members.
• Serves as a technical resource and/or team leader to provide technical analysis for the agency; ensures linkage between the agency budget, financial plan, and other agency planning processes; provides proactive analysis and expertise to support analytical models for decision making; prepares and delivers presentations to the Executive Leadership, Board, and Board Committees.
• Reviews and analyzes department financial performance on a monthly basis; provides proactive analysis and expertise to manage Sound Transit's operating costs; and communicates cost information and issues for internal and external audiences.
• Manages and administers agency-wide programs as assigned, which may include performance measurement, project management oversight, and knowledge management.
• Manages the annual budget development process and provides direction to budget analysts; oversees production of budget documents; assists Budget Director in analysis, review, and reporting of budgetary issues to the Executive; directs the preparation and presentation of budgets for Executive and Board review.
• Prepares quarterly financial reports for internal and external stakeholders; prepares fiscal section of staff reports in support of Board actions; and reviews agency agreements to determine any adverse financial impact or risk.
• Participates in the development and implementation of objectives, strategies, policies, and procedures for assigned projects, services, and functional areas within the Budget Division; establishes performance metrics for the budget team; and creates and revises budget staff procedures as necessary.
• Leads all implementation and improvement initiatives of budgeting and reporting management tools and systems including system upgrades, customization, and user training; develops and maintains all budget system documentation; and works with IT and vendors to resolve any technical issues.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the agency.
• Provides support to the Budget Director and Budget Division on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and development in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures policies, processes, procedures, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, agency policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Education and Experience:
Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or closely related field and five years of experience in finance, accounting, or budget management with one year of experience supervising staff OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:
None.

Required Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a budget division and associated fiscal functions.
• Principles and practices used in financial analysis, total cost of ownership analysis, and revenue and operating cost projections.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Accounting theory, principles, and practices.
• Project management techniques and principles.
• External and management reporting requirements and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and computer applications, such as enterprise accounting and budget software, word processing, spreadsheets, report writing software, and databases.

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other throughout the agency and community.
• Developing and/or interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to explain them to others and direct and manage the Budget Division's work.
• Collaborating with others through partnering, sharing information and resources, and operating cross-functionally.
• Analyzing complex financial and policy issues.
• Performing the full range of advanced financial analysis and forecasting.
• Describing your financial analysis process and conclusions in writing and graphically.
• Demonstrating a high level of accountability – driving for results, displaying a sense of ownership, and passion for attaining goals and surpassing expectations.
• Proactively identifying opportunities and/or problems.
• Analyzing and synthesizing information in a concise manner and making recommendations on strategies to resolve issues.
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.
• Applying advanced project management techniques and principles.
• Managing multiple tasks, setting objectives/goals, and re-prioritizing as needed.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and numerical computations and comprehensive reports.
• Developing and tracking operations and project/program performance metrics.
• Developing specifications for reports and testing reports.
• Developing and monitoring program/project and operating budgets, cost, and schedules.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Developing a high-performance team by providing vision, direction, coordination, and empowerment to team members.
• Employing excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
• Utilizing enterprise accounting and budget software and Excel spreadsheets at an advanced level.

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.

The agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.
  
It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.