Michael Jacobson

Deputy Director, King County Office of Performance Strategy & Budget, WA

Michael Jacobson

An award-winning national leader on organizational measurement, monitoring, and performance management, Mr. Jacobson currently serves as the deputy director for performance and strategy in King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget. During his tenure, Mr. Jacobson has been responsible for establishing key elements of the county’s performance management system including the first countywide strategic plan, public performance reporting, countywide employee survey, and Executive performance review sessions. He is also a leader in the county's Equity and Social Justice work, having sponsored the county’s foundational Determinants of Equity report, contributed to the Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, and operationalizing equity analysis and measurement into the county’s management systems such as business plans.

From March 1, 2020 until March 2021, he worked with the county’s Public Health department in supporting equitable community engagement and outreach efforts as part of the COVID-19 response and overseeing ~$21M of Cares Act grant funds focused on digital equity, economic development, and arts/culture. Since 2021, he has been responsible for over $120M in American Rescue Plan funds focused on equitable economic recovery and creating a new program to provide jobs and housing to people experiencing homelessness.

Mr. Jacobson currently serves on the Board of the American Society of Public Administration's Center for Performance and Accountability and in 2019 was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.