Community Wealth Building Advisor
Seattle, OR - USA
Job Summary
Position Description
The Office of Economic Development (OED) works to shape a more equitable prosperous and competitive future for Seattle - and were at an exciting moment. With strong foundations a clear strategy and a well-established structure OED is advancing initiatives that expand access to economic opportunity close the racial wealth gap and fuel innovation and growth across the city.
The Community Wealth Building Advisor sits at the center of this work! You will lead the Citys community wealth building (CWB) strategy - further developing and managing an implementation plan that aligns programs partnerships and investments to build wealth in Black Indigenous and other communities of color. Youll translate the priorities outlined in the Future of Seattle Economy framework and the Generational Wealth Initiative into actionable policies and programs that shift outcomes deepen community ownership and create lasting measurable impact.
Job Responsibilities
Your top three priorities:
- Strategy development and program management
Build and manage a community wealth-building implementation plan and foster alignment within OED and across departments on strategies execution and expected outcomes. - Partnerships and policy
Develop policy recommendations to advance community wealth and build and maintain key partnerships with community stakeholders public and private funders and colleagues across the City. - People management
Supervise support and provide strategic and day-to-day guidance to a team of two ensuring alignment with team goals and priorities.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:
Initiative & Action Plan Management
- Develop and manage a community wealth-building implementation plan with clear strategies and milestones drawing from pilot learnings guiding documents and stakeholder input.
- Provide leadership within the CWB team and act on guidance from the CWB Manager and department leadership.
- Establish and track metrics across programs that build community wealth through business ownership and local asset ownership.
- Incubate and pilot new programs and partnerships and develop an evaluation framework to determine which investments should be scaled.
- Coordinate across departments to evaluate existing City investments policies and other levers that intersect with community wealth outcomes.
- Manage the initial $1M initiative budget including resource allocation contract development negotiation of scopes of work and accountability for deliverables.
Funding & Policy Development
- Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships and engage funders investors and other partners to leverage resources for community wealth building.
- Conduct policy analysis and research to develop and advance policies that help close the racial wealth gap.
- Establish structures for ongoing community engagement to ensure City strategies and policy recommendations are aligned with community-informed priorities.
People Management
- Supervise support and guide a team of up to two community development specialists.
- Lead strategic planning work planning and annual goal-setting; manage performance toward key results.
- Support program managers in aligning programs and measuring impact related to community wealth building and emerging policy initiatives.
Please note: This job ad is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- Strategy development and program management
Qualifications
We know no candidate will bring every qualification - and thats not the expectation. A strong inclusive economy is built by people with varied backgrounds perspectives and lived experiences. We value transferable skills a growth mindset nontraditional career paths and demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice. If youre excited about this role and bring a combination of the qualifications below we want to hear from you!
Youll thrive in this role if you bring a mixture of the qualifications listed below.
Experience and skills in:
Policy development program design community engagement and/or small business development
People management
Program design and implementation
Cross-sector collaboration
Matrix management on priority initiatives
Navigating ambiguityAbility to:
Provide clear guidance and support to staff and matrixed teams
Align teams and stakeholders toward shared outcomes
Build trust and facilitate collaboration that drives change
Think strategically with the big picture at the center
Be solution-oriented and outcomes-driven
Synthesize data research and insights from diverse partnersA passion for:
Advancing the Citys Race and Social Justice goals
Contributing to an inclusive diverse and vibrant economy
Addressing the racial wealth gap and the systems that create economic inequality
Embodying department and City values including collaborationAdditionally:
Ability to pass a criminal background checkAdditional Information
This full-time salaried position is classified as Strategic Advisor 2 General Government-L17 and reports to the Community Wealth Building Manager. This role is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Seattle and PROTEC17 Strategic Advisors & Managers. The full salary range for this classification is $61.90$92.84 per hour. Following a pay equity and budget analysis the identified salary range for this role is $141984 $150336 ($68 - $72/hour based on 2088 hours a year).
Benefits: The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation holiday and sick leave as well as medical dental vision life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information is available at work at the City of SeattleAt the City of Seattle public service is more than a jobits a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works lives or plays in our city. With 12000 employees across 40 departments and 1100 job titles we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role youll help power a forward-looking city that leads by exampleinclusive innovative equitable and community-focusedwhile joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives.
Application Process
Here are some informational-only tips on applying and interviewing with us.In addition to completing the application fully by the posted deadline at please attach:
A cover letter describing why you want to support the work of the CWB team and your qualifications for the position
A PDF of your current résumé summarizing the talent experience knowledge and skills you would bring to this leadership rolePlease note: The Office of Economic Development does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated tools to screen or evaluate applications. Every application is reviewed by a member of our hiring team to ensure an equitable and human-centered process.
Who may apply: This position is open to all individuals whose experience skills and abilities align with the qualifications above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race color creed national origin ancestry sex marital status disability religious or political affiliation age sexual orientation or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgroundsincluding people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ individuals people with disabilities veterans and those with diverse life experienceto apply.
Pre-Employment Requirements:If selected to advance in this hiring process applicants will need to successfully pass a background check which will be conducted in accordance with Seattles Fair Chance Employment Ordinance SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.
Hiring Timeline: We anticipate conducting first- and second-round interviews in June 2026. Our target hire date is July 2026.
Language Premium Pay: Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360) which provides a $200 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are evaluated and assigned to provide direct in-language communication interpretation or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.
Accommodations and Questions: We strive to make our hiring process accessible to all. Individuals with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process perform essential job functions and receive all benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact with any questions or accommodation requests.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority