 Higginbottom was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources from 2013 to 2017.She previously served as Counselor of the United States Department of State and prior to that had served as Deputy Director of the federal Office of Management and Budget from 2011 until 2013.On October 20, 2011, the United States Senate voted 64–36 to confirm her nomination to be Deputy Director of the OMB.