Assistant Director, Washington Individual Taxes Division (EMS4)

Posting number: 2026-139

Department: Dept. of Revenue

Division: Executive

Job classification: EXEMPT BAND 4

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance, Management, Executive Management, Miscellaneous, Tax Administration, Program Management

Summary

Department of Revenue (DOR) is looking to fill a new Assistant Director position to lead the newly established Washington Individual Taxes Division. On March 30, 2026, Governor Ferguson signed into law Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346 establishing an income tax on individuals’ income exceeding $1 million. This position serves as the DOR’s Assistant Director -Washington Individual Taxes (WIT) division and is responsible for establishing and directing the operations of the new statewide individual income tax (Title 82A RCW) and assorted individual based taxes administered by DOR. This position is a member of the agency’s Leadership Team and reports directly to a member of the executive team.

DOR is a dynamic learning organization where you will experience a remarkable work-life balance, with amazing leadership and talented co-workers ready and focused to achieve the agency's goals. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We offer a generous benefits package that includes defined benefit retirement plans; health, dental and vision coverage, deferred compensation plans, and as a public service employee, you may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness..
 
Visit these links to watch ourrecruitment video to find out more about our agency and see what our employees say about why Revenue is a great place to work.

As the Assistant Director - WIT division, you will:

• Serve as the state’s leader responsible for establishing, directing, and sustaining Washington’s new statewide individual income tax and other individual tax programs.
• Create and implement the overarching strategy, operating model, governance structure, and performance measures for the Washington Individual Taxes Division.
• Develop and oversee tax administration policies, education and outreach initiatives, and core operational processes, including tax return filing, tax account reconciling, tax account examination, taxpayer assistance and support, ensuring compliance and auditing elements, and risk management, to support voluntary compliance and statewide consistency.

• Produce major statewide outcomes by ensuring accurate and equitable tax administration, safeguarding revenue integrity, fostering public trust, and driving innovations that advance the Department’s strategic goals.
• Operate as a member of the agency’s Leadership Team, the Assistant Director provides policy leadership and is consulted on legislative proposals that help influence statewide tax program decisions. This position represents the Department before advisory groups and external stakeholders, coordinates with cross-program partners, and ensures the division’s work supports employee development, engagement, and well-being.
• Manages a division of employees and an annual operating budget. This position has delegated authority for financial and personnel decisions for the division.

Initially, this position’s primary responsibility is to stand up the new Washington Individual Taxes Division. The division is primarily customer-centered on the individual taxpayer. In addition to several existing tax programs the WIT division will administer the new Individual Income Tax. The high visibility and reliance placed on the state revenues (in excess of $2 billion in FY29) generated by this new tax program makes this position critical to the reputation of the agency and the state’s ability to fund vital Washington programs. 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

The required qualifications are key competencies that you can successfully demonstrate through any combination of experience or education. To join our amazing team, you must possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies listed below.

Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex operational programs and establish new organizational structures. Shown through progressive experience directing multi-disciplinary teams, developing governance frameworks, defining workflows, and implementing new or large-scale public programs.

Proven ability to develop and implement tax administration policies and procedures. Including experience interpreting statute, writing administrative policies, advising leadership on sensitive tax issues, and creating program guidelines that ensure legal compliance, consistency, and statewide standardization.

Demonstrated skill in strategic planning and organizational leadership. Including setting division-wide goals, establishing performance measures, allocating resources, and driving organizational change to achieve enterprise-level outcomes.

Progressive experience managing senior-level staff and leading managers. Including experience as an appointing authority or equivalent, hiring managers and professional staff, conducting performance management, implementing workforce development strategies, and promoting an inclusive, equitable, and high-performing environment.

Proven ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with high-level internal and external stakeholders. Including demonstrated experience collaborating with executive leadership, federal agencies (e.g., IRS), legal and professional associations, advisory groups, and other state entities to support program design, implementation, and ongoing operations.

Demonstrated ability to oversee complex fiscal operations and manage significant budgets. Including experience making financial decisions, developing or overseeing operating budgets, and ensuring appropriate internal controls related to public funds, program revenues, and vendor contracts. 

Knowledge of tax administration systems, electronic filing requirements, and data governance standards. Including demonstrated ability to direct the development of business requirements for technology systems, secure data exchanges, identity verification processes, exception handling, and taxpayer service platforms.

Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale projects with statewide or enterprise impact. Shown through experience coordinating policy, operational, and technology components; delivering project outcomes under legislative or executive timelines; and implementing complex program frameworks.

Proven ability to communicate complex, sensitive, or technical information to diverse audiences. Including experience briefing executive leadership, legislative staff, and stakeholders; preparing public-facing reports; and representing an agency in public discussions, advisory groups, or professional forums.

Demonstrated commitment to fairness, equity, and transparent public service. Including experience designing processes that promote equitable taxpayer experiences, ensuring consistent application of rules, upholding confidentiality requirements, and modeling high standards of ethical conduct.

Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.

• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

• Uses an equitable and inclusive approach. 

For detailed information on these Equity Competencies, please click on this link: https://dor.wa.gov/about/careers/our-core-equity-competencies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in public administration, law, accounting, or related field. CPA/JD; experience with pass-through entities and large-scale audit programs.
• Mastery of allocation/apportionment principles and market/duty-day sourcing, strong rulemaking and stakeholder consultation skills.

To be considered:

• Complete the online application in detail. 
• Attach a current resume'.
• Attach a letter of interest explaining your interest in the position and how you meet the qualifications listed.
• Include three or more professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information

My name is Chuck, and I am here to assist you with this amazing opportunity. As a retired veteran and career state employee, I understand how important it is to find meaningful work, in an organization with strong values, a good culture, attractive benefits, and with a great work & life balance.  We have all of this at Revenue.  Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions that you may have or with any help you may need. My email is chuckj@dor.wa.gov, or if you prefer, you may contact me by phone at (360) 704-5737.
 

To take advantage of Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number and date of birth before attaching.
  
The Department of Revenue is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We embrace diversity and offer a respectful, inclusive culture for people with disabilities, as well as members of all protected groups and statuses.  We encourage you to apply.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

If you need any assistance during the application process, please call the Human Resources Office at 360-704-5731. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.