State of Washington
Overview
The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a highly accomplished state financial executive to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and principled leader—calm, methodical, and resilient under pressure. You are compassionate, inclusive, culturally competent, technically sharp, and politically astute. You are a balanced, human-centered leader committed to fostering a culture of performance and positivity, approaching work with transparency and honesty. You engage diverse stakeholders with empathy and resolve, possess strategic and financial technical skills to lead change, and communicate complex information in accessible analysis for varied audiences. You have 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. Responsibilities
As the CFO, you will shape the strategic direction of the agency’s financial landscape. You will lead the Financial Services Division, partnering with program leaders and stakeholders. You will support ESD’s mission of contributing to healthy communities by providing equitable access to resources that improve economic security. You will oversee and monitor all dimensions of the agency’s financial operations, navigate change, prioritize projects, and foster 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 transition—and the integrity of the state’s financial reporting—depends 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 2–3 days per week in person in Olympia, WA. Core Duties
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 Financial Services Division (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
Option 1:
Ten years of combined relevant experience and/or education in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field, including five years of progressive financial management experience, with multiple fund sources and managing supervisors in a highly complex organization, applying human-centric leadership and management principles. Option 2:
Associate’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field, plus eight years of relevant experience, including five years of progressive financial management experience involving multiple fund sources and managing supervisors in a highly complex organization, applying human-centric leadership and management principles. Option 3:
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field, plus six years of relevant experience, including five years of progressive financial management experience with multiple fund sources and supervisory management in a highly complex organization, applying human-centric leadership and management principles. AND Five years leading large teams managing complex budget, accounting, and financial operations in medium-to-large governmental organizations. AND At least five years of management experience, including performance management, organizational planning, budgeting, resource planning, public/stakeholder relations, and leadership. Required Competencies, Skills & Abilities
Information synthesis & communication — rapidly gather, synthesize, and clearly communicate diverse information in writing and orally. Analysis, judgment & problem solving — use critical thinking to analyze issues, recommend durable solutions, and make sound decisions. Technical competence & consulting — apply professional expertise to fulfill duties and advise stakeholders on complex or sensitive matters. Leadership, facilitation & collaboration — coach and motivate teams; lead small-group processes; build partnerships to improve performance. Strategic, financial & project planning — align resources, budgets, and projects with organizational mission and strategy. Interpersonal skills & cultural competency — relate across differences, mitigate conflict, and work effectively in cross-cultural settings. Customer service orientation & trustworthiness — prioritize customer needs while demonstrating ethics, integrity, and credibility. Resilience under pressure — remain calm, prioritize, and make accurate decisions in high-stress or adverse situations. Preferred Competencies, Skills and Abilities
A Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field CPA Certification Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM) certification Financial reporting & analysis — financial statement presentation; federal and state reporting; fiscal notes; fiscal impact statements. State accounting systems — State Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS); accounting transactions. Budgeting, allotments & forecasting — budget development and control; allotment development and control; revenue forecasting and control. Costing & allocation — cost allocation methodologies; contract/procurement-related cost considerations. Accounting & auditing standards — GAAP; governmental accounting standards; GAAS; governmental auditing standards. Internal controls & compliance — internal control over fiscal transactions; policy development, implementation, and control; contracting/procurement compliance. Contracting and procurement — contracting/procurement experience; contract financial oversight and reporting. Policy & governance — policy development, implementation, control; preparation and review of fiscal impact statements. Continuous improvement — working knowledge of continuous process improvement applied to fiscal processes. Cross-cutting fiscal skills — integration of accounting transactions, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls to support transparent fiduciary management. Other
Additional requirement: Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud checks. Please submit your resume with your online application and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) is edited out of materials for privacy. Do not include photographs or external links within documents. Documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted to support application review. The agency’s mission and values—Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship—drive decisions and culture. Flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities may be available. Equal opportunity employer; auxiliary aids and services available on request. If you need assistance in the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition Team or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. This Organization participates in E-Verify.
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The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a highly accomplished state financial executive to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and principled leader—calm, methodical, and resilient under pressure. You are compassionate, inclusive, culturally competent, technically sharp, and politically astute. You are a balanced, human-centered leader committed to fostering a culture of performance and positivity, approaching work with transparency and honesty. You engage diverse stakeholders with empathy and resolve, possess strategic and financial technical skills to lead change, and communicate complex information in accessible analysis for varied audiences. You have 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. Responsibilities
As the CFO, you will shape the strategic direction of the agency’s financial landscape. You will lead the Financial Services Division, partnering with program leaders and stakeholders. You will support ESD’s mission of contributing to healthy communities by providing equitable access to resources that improve economic security. You will oversee and monitor all dimensions of the agency’s financial operations, navigate change, prioritize projects, and foster 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 transition—and the integrity of the state’s financial reporting—depends 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 2–3 days per week in person in Olympia, WA. Core Duties
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 Financial Services Division (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
Option 1:
Ten years of combined relevant experience and/or education in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field, including five years of progressive financial management experience, with multiple fund sources and managing supervisors in a highly complex organization, applying human-centric leadership and management principles. Option 2:
Associate’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field, plus eight years of relevant experience, including five years of progressive financial management experience involving multiple fund sources and managing supervisors in a highly complex organization, applying human-centric leadership and management principles. Option 3:
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, public administration, or a closely related field, plus six years of relevant experience, including five years of progressive financial management experience with multiple fund sources and supervisory management in a highly complex organization, applying human-centric leadership and management principles. AND Five years leading large teams managing complex budget, accounting, and financial operations in medium-to-large governmental organizations. AND At least five years of management experience, including performance management, organizational planning, budgeting, resource planning, public/stakeholder relations, and leadership. Required Competencies, Skills & Abilities
Information synthesis & communication — rapidly gather, synthesize, and clearly communicate diverse information in writing and orally. Analysis, judgment & problem solving — use critical thinking to analyze issues, recommend durable solutions, and make sound decisions. Technical competence & consulting — apply professional expertise to fulfill duties and advise stakeholders on complex or sensitive matters. Leadership, facilitation & collaboration — coach and motivate teams; lead small-group processes; build partnerships to improve performance. Strategic, financial & project planning — align resources, budgets, and projects with organizational mission and strategy. Interpersonal skills & cultural competency — relate across differences, mitigate conflict, and work effectively in cross-cultural settings. Customer service orientation & trustworthiness — prioritize customer needs while demonstrating ethics, integrity, and credibility. Resilience under pressure — remain calm, prioritize, and make accurate decisions in high-stress or adverse situations. Preferred Competencies, Skills and Abilities
A Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field CPA Certification Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM) certification Financial reporting & analysis — financial statement presentation; federal and state reporting; fiscal notes; fiscal impact statements. State accounting systems — State Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS); accounting transactions. Budgeting, allotments & forecasting — budget development and control; allotment development and control; revenue forecasting and control. Costing & allocation — cost allocation methodologies; contract/procurement-related cost considerations. Accounting & auditing standards — GAAP; governmental accounting standards; GAAS; governmental auditing standards. Internal controls & compliance — internal control over fiscal transactions; policy development, implementation, and control; contracting/procurement compliance. Contracting and procurement — contracting/procurement experience; contract financial oversight and reporting. Policy & governance — policy development, implementation, control; preparation and review of fiscal impact statements. Continuous improvement — working knowledge of continuous process improvement applied to fiscal processes. Cross-cutting fiscal skills — integration of accounting transactions, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls to support transparent fiduciary management. Other
Additional requirement: Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud checks. Please submit your resume with your online application and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) is edited out of materials for privacy. Do not include photographs or external links within documents. Documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted to support application review. The agency’s mission and values—Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship—drive decisions and culture. Flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities may be available. Equal opportunity employer; auxiliary aids and services available on request. If you need assistance in the application process, contact the Talent Acquisition Team or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. This Organization participates in E-Verify.
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