Executive Director of Administration (Ord. Title: Executive 2, Exempt)

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Seattle Police Department is hiring an Executive Director of Administration, a senior leadership position reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. The Director leads a division with an approximately $22 million budget, four managers, and more than 50 staff. The division manages core administrative functions and ensures that essential systems, services, and operations run efficiently and effectively. The role provides operational oversight and strategic direction for administrative service units, including fiscal functions such as purchasing and contracting, property and fleet management, research grants and corporate support, crime records, and the Data Center. The Director monitors budgets, initiates purchasing contracts with major vendors, conducts spending audits, develops business plans, analyzes financial data, ensures legal and policy compliance, supervises unit managers, and improves management systems to strengthen efficiency and accountability. As a member of the department’s Leadership Team, the Director provides strategic guidance, develops policy recommendations, and ensures effective implementation of administrative plans. The position represents SPD in high-level City forums and works closely with the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, the Information Technology Department, and City-wide Accounting on major program, operational, and policy matters. The position must be performed on-site and requires passing an SPD background investigation and holding a valid driver’s license.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, organizational management, a discipline related to human resources management, or equivalent education, training, and experience.
Five or more years of progressively responsible public administration management experience, including procurement, financial management, grant management, and facility operations in an organization of comparable scope and complexity.
Experience working with represented employees and/or labor relations groups.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience supervising administrative staff and cross-functional teams.
Proficiency in financial reporting, accounting principles, internal control concepts, financial and programmatic audits, and resource allocation.
Capacity to align administrative procedures and operational protocols with broader organizational goals.
Proven track record in budget management, vendor negotiation, contract oversight, and process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to lead programs, methods, and procedures that support employee well-being, improve work effectiveness, control costs, ensure ethical practices, and meet policy and operational needs.
Open, honest, and accessible management style.
Excellent interpersonal and conflict-resolution abilities for collaboration with stakeholders, department heads, and external vendors.
Must pass a Seattle Police Department background investigation.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Must perform work on-site.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Management, or another discipline related to public administration.
Experience working with public safety or paramilitary organizations.
Familiarity with relevant Revised Code of Washington laws, Washington Administrative Code regulations, and Federal Labor Laws.
Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, HR information systems (HRIS), PeopleSoft financial management and reporting, budgeting tools, records management and retention, crime reporting, and office productivity suites.

Responsibilities

Lead a division with an approximately $22 million budget, four managers, and more than 50 staff.
Provide operational oversight and strategic direction for administrative service units, including purchasing and contracting, property and fleet management, research grants and corporate support, crime records, and the Data Center.
Monitor department budgets, initiate purchasing contracts with major vendors, conduct spending audits, develop business plans, and analyze financial data.
Ensure legal and policy compliance and improve management systems to strengthen efficiency and accountability.
Supervise unit managers and coordinate administrative functions across the division.
Provide strategic guidance as a member of the department’s Leadership Team, develop policy recommendations, and ensure administrative plans are effectively implemented.
Represent SPD in high-level City forums, including meetings with City departments and citywide work groups.
Collaborate with the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, the Information Technology Department, and City-wide Accounting on program, operational, and policy matters.