Senior Budget & Performance Analyst

First 5 Alameda County•Alameda, CA

4d•$104,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

First 5 Alameda County is seeking a Senior Budget & Performance Analyst for our Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team. This is a new team that will partner with stakeholders across First 5 to conduct strategic financial planning, budgeting, cost modeling, forecasting, and performance analysis. The team’s work will guide organizational decision-making, fiscal sustainability, operational performance, and the impact of major initiatives serving children and families across Alameda County. The ideal candidate is adaptable, curious, and eager to develop new approaches, tools, and processes in collaboration with the FP&A team and organizational partners.

Requirements

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in roles involving budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, or public sector finance, including at least one (1) year of experience involving project management and cross-functional coordination
A bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
A degree is not required and relevant experience may substitute for education requirement.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, cost modeling, and quantitative analysis
Advanced techniques in Microsoft Excel
Tools for building and managing reporting dashboards (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
Early childhood systems
Public agency funding structures, revenue sources, government budgeting, public policy, and grant requirements
Social impact and equity principles
Ability to: Analyze financial and other data
Build and maintain budgets and financial models with attention to detail
Blend varied financial, programmatic, and other data to meet analysis needs
Ground analysis in relevant policy context
Conduct quality checks for accuracy
Build and maintain data dashboards
Use AI tools to support analysis (or an eagerness to learn)
Manage projects with independence and flexibility
Manage multiple analytical workstreams and deliverables
Work independently with a high degree of ownership
Provide thought partnership and backup to teammates
Hold ambiguity and operate flexibly in dynamic environments where needs evolve and timelines shift
Communicate effectively and build trusting relationships
Produce high-quality written communications and deliverables
Clearly present findings to varied audiences, including agency leaders
Build trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders
Partner effectively with Program, Fiscal Policy, Data, and other teams on deliverables and cross-functional work
Navigate political complexity with maturity, discretion, sound judgment, and a commitment to equity

Responsibilities

Develop agency-wide budgets, forecasts, financial models, and fiscal analyses to support strategic planning, resource allocation, and executive decision-making
Partner with Program, Fiscal Policy, Data, and other teams to assess the financial and operational implications of program and policy options throughout design, implementation, and refinement
Analyze funding requirements, cost drivers, and revenue and expenditure patterns to inform budgets, forecasts, and revenue maximization strategies
Monitor the financial and operational performance of programs and contracts, including expenditures, spend rates, budget variances, unit costs, and utilization
Design and maintain dashboards, analytical tools, and performance-reporting systems that improve transparency, accountability, and program alignment
Identify trends, risks, opportunities, and analysis gaps requiring additional study
Translate complex analyses into clear, actionable recommendations for agency leadership and other stakeholders
Prepare executive-level reports and presentations that clearly communicate findings and recommendations
Improve budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analytical processes to support accuracy, consistency, and efficiency
Develop data-driven solutions that enhance agency-wide financial and operational performance

Benefits

Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
$1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Plan
paid vacation
paid time off
sick time
17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off