Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a highly accomplished state financial executive to serve as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the agency. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and a principled leadersomeone who is calm, methodical, and resilient under pressure. You are compassionate, inclusive, culturally competent, as well as technically sharp and politically astute. You're a balanced human-centered leader, committed to fostering a culture of performance and positivity. You approach your work with transparency and honesty. You're capable of engaging diverse stakeholders with empathy and resolve. You possess both strategic and financial technical skills to lead change. You are an effective communicator that interprets complex information into accessible analysis for various audiences. You have some insight into the Washington state budget and its current financial transformation.

Please note : This position is open until filled. The first review of applicants will occur three weeks from the posting date.

As the CFO, you will play a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of the agency's financial landscape. You will lead the Financial Services Division, while partnering with the agency's program leaders and stakeholders. The CFO supports ESD's mission of contributing to healthy community by providing equitable access to resources that improve economic security. You oversee and monitor all dimensions of the agency's financial operations while navigating change, prioritizing projects, and fostering a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and partnership with teams and agency partners.

Washington State is undergoing a profound financial systems transformation, migrating from the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) to Workday ERP under the One Washington initiative. The success of this transitionand the integrity of the state's financial reportingdepends on the expertise, judgment, and stewardship of the Financial Services Division.

The CFO will serve as the business sponsor for this transformation, guiding the agency through complex business process redesign, financial data modeling, and change management. This role demands a leader who can translate enterprise-level strategy into operational excellence, ensuring compliance with federal and state financial laws, rules, and policies while fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.

This is a hybrid role with an expectation of 23 days per week in person in Olympia, WA.

Additionally, some of your duties include :

• Lead development and monitoring of biennial operating and capital budgets
• Oversee federal grant performance, reporting, and compliance
• Manage banking relationships and trust fund operations
• Ensure equitable distribution of funds to support marginalized communities
• Direct procurement, contracting, and asset management functions
• Advance equity within FSD and across ESD
• Recruit, retain, and support a diverse and technically proficient workforce
• Represent ESD to OFM, legislative budget committees, and external partners
• Lead the development of fiscal notes and financial impact analyses for legislation
• Maintain a strong fiscal internal control environment and ensure timely payments

Required Education & Experience :

AND

Required Competencies, Skills & Abilities :

Preferred Competencies, Skills and Abilities :

Additional Requirement of Employment :

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your resume with your online application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work / life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer / program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson or the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing.

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