Director, Department of Revenue

Director, Department of Revenue

Salary

$198,852.00 - $227,268.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Tumwater, WA

Job Type

Exempt

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-03024

Department

Office of the Governor

Opening Date

04/09/2026

Closing Date

5/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the starting salary range of $198,852 - $227,268 annually. Our primary physical offices for Department of Revenue are located in Tumwater. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework however, regular in-office days, and attendance at meetings will be required. Additionally, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs.

Why work for the Department of Revenue?

As Washington state's primary licensing and tax collection agency, we play a critical role in supporting education, public safety, social services, and other essential state programs. We administer nearly 60 tax programs and provide taxpayer assistance to more than 625,000 businesses annually. We also partner with all 39 counties to administer property taxes, manage the state's Unclaimed Property Program, conduct tax and fiscal research, and support the development and implementation of tax legislation.

Our agency is powered by more than 1,400 dedicated employees across a wide range of professions. We are nationally recognized for our leadership, innovation, compliance, and commitment to high-quality customer service, working collaboratively to ensure Washington's tax system is fair, efficient, and responsive to the needs of businesses and communities statewide.

The job opportunity

As the Director of the state's primary taxing agency, you'll set the vision and are accountable for delivering on our mission. This is a highly visible role for a collaborative, credible leader who understands tax administration, public policy, and how government works. You'll oversee the administration, assessment, and collection of state revenue, ensuring tax laws are implemented fairly, consistently, efficiently, helping taxpayers understand their obligations, and making sure the agency treats people fairly and equitably, and acts with integrity.

You will work closely with the Governor's office and serve as a key liaison between the agency and executive leadership. This includes engaging with legislators and policy leaders, building coalitions among diverse partners, and navigating competing interests. You will also lead the agency through change, shifting economic conditions, and increasing expectations for transparency and accountability.

You bring credibility, sound judgment, and the confidence to thoughtfully challenge the status quo. You value collaboration, support employees, understand the impact of decisions on taxpayers and communities, and are motivated by public service. This is your opportunity to lead at a pivotal moment in the evolution of Washington's tax system and make a meaningful impact for the people of the state.

Duties

What you'll work on

• Serve as the Governor's chief tax policy advisor and a member of the Governor's Executive Cabinet, providing statewide leadership on tax administration, revenue forecasting, and economic vitality.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the agency, ensuring efficient operations, effective use of resources, and high-quality service to taxpayers.
• Lead the development and execution of the agency's strategic business plan to address emerging challenges, opportunities, and a changing economic environment.
• Oversee the administration of statewide tax programs and ensure uniform application of tax laws while advancing the agency's mission of integrity, fairness, and voluntary compliance.
• Ensure accurate revenue estimates, effective tax enforcement, and timely collection of state and local taxes, including oversight of the Business Licensing Service and coordination with counties on property tax administration.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a diverse, high-performing management team, fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace that supports innovation, collaboration, and excellence in public service.

Qualifications

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of Washington State tax laws, tax theory, tax policy development, revenue systems, public-sector, financial practices, and the fiscal impacts of taxation on businesses, communities, and statewide revenue systems.
• Highly skilled in building trust-based relationships with employees, unions, businesses, tribes, legislators, customers, and statewide partners to advance equitable and sound tax administration.
• Ability to develop, implement, and oversee clear rules, processes, and internal controls; ensure legal compliance; and guide the agency through regulatory and legislative changes.
• Ability to foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-engagement workplace that supports employee development, psychological safety, organizational belonging, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Ability to lead and inspire a faster, simpler, and more equitable state government by fostering a culture of compassionate/human-centered service that values seeking customer feedback, and uses those insights to improve policies and practices, strengthen public trust, and enhances customer confidence and accessibility.

Desired Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business or Public Administration or an allied field.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental Information

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our website for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here's a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you've decided to apply for a state government job, you'll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

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Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to this position. This includes your knowledge of Washington State tax laws, tax theory, tax policy development, and the fiscal impacts of taxation on businesses, communities, and statewide revenue systems. If you do not have this experience, type N/A.

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov