Budget Administrator

The Position

The Budget Administrator is a senior management position within the Finance Department responsible for leading Oakland's centralized budget and fiscal analytical services. The position plans, organizes, manages, and directs the activities of the Budget Bureau, including citywide budget development and monitoring, financial planning, fiscal analysis, revenue forecasting, expenditure control, performance measurement, and financial systems development. More than a traditional budget management role, the Budget Administrator has evolved into a highly strategic leadership position. The successful candidate will serve as a key financial advisor, helping executive leadership anticipate emerging issues, evaluate alternatives, navigate complex financial decisions, and advance the City's long-term fiscal and organizational priorities. Reporting to the Finance Director, the Budget Administrator will lead the development and implementation of financial management policies, systems, procedures, and standards; prepare and recommend long-range financial plans; direct major fiscal studies and analyses; and communicate City financial strategies and budgetary information to executive leadership, City Council, departments, public agencies, and community stakeholders. The position also plays an important organizational leadership role through the selection, supervision, mentoring, and development of Budget Bureau staff. A defining expectation of this role is the ability to operate effectively at both the executive and technical levels. The Budget Administrator must possess the executive presence to advise senior leadership and elected officials while also maintaining the technical depth and intellectual curiosity to engage directly with complex financial models, forecasts, assumptions, variances, and underlying data. The successful candidate will be comfortable digging into the details necessary to understand what is driving the numbers, challenge assumptions, identify risks, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound solutions.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Stakeholders identified six strategic priorities that will define success for Oakland's next Budget Administrator:

• SERVE AS A TRUSTED STRATEGIC ADVISOR: Partner closely with the Finance Director and executive leadership to provide thoughtful financial counsel, anticipate emerging issues, navigate complexity, and help shape decisions that advance Oakland's long-term fiscal and organizational priorities.
• ADVANCE LONG-TERM FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY: Help strengthen Oakland's financial foundation by advancing implementation of the City's Fiscal Roadmap, addressing structural budget challenges, strengthening long-range financial planning, and identifying innovative, data-informed approaches to long-term financial health.
• BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION: Cultivate trusted partnerships with department directors, executive leadership, elected officials, labor representatives, and other key stakeholders. Foster collaboration, transparency, and consensus while supporting informed decision-making.
• LEAD A TRANSPARENT & COLLABORATIVE BUDGET PROCESS: Guide a budget development process characterized by early engagement, partnership, transparency, fiscal discipline, and accountability while strengthening confidence in the City's financial decision making.
• DEVELOP THE BUDGET BUREAU: Build upon an already strong team by recruiting, mentoring, and developing staff; creating opportunities for professional growth; strengthening organizational capacity; and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• LEAD ORGANIZATIONAL MODERNIZATION: Champion improvements in financial reporting, performance management, business processes, and budgeting systems that enable Oakland to become increasingly agile, data-driven, and responsive to emerging fiscal and operational challenges.

Minimum Requirements for Application

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable. Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, economics, accounting, finance, or a related field. A master's degree is desirable. Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in budget, analytical, and financial management in a government agency, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity. Experience working with citizen organizations and elected officials is desirable. License/Other Requirements: An individual appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of assigned duties.

Supplemental Information

THE PROCESS The recruitment process will begin with a comprehensive review of applications, resumes, and cover letters. Candidates whose experience and qualifications most closely align with the City's needs will be invited to participate in an initial screening process. The most highly qualified candidates will advance through the City's interview and selection process. Candidate evaluation will focus on technical public finance expertise and analytical depth as well as strategic leadership, executive communication, organizational and political acumen, relationship building, people leadership, and demonstrated ability to lead through complexity and change.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The Budget Administrator is designated as a Senior Management, Unrepresented classification. The City of Oakland offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to attract and retain exceptional public sector leaders. Salary is negotiable within the defined range depending on qualifications. Benefits include generous medical insurance, life insurance, automobile allowance, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, management leave, public sector retirement (CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 classic member; 2% @ 62 new PEPRA member), and voluntary deferred compensation. Click on the link for the city's 2025 Benefits Matrix.

HOW TO APPLY To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing their qualifications, leadership experience, and interest in serving as the City of Oakland's next Budget Administrator electronically, to by October 9, 2026. For additional information or questions, please contact Will Hawkins or Yonnine Hawkins Garr at or .

Benefits

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan – Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assigned specific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements