Deputy Chief Financial Officer The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking an accomplished financial leader to serve as our Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Deputy CFO). We are seeking a leader who combines technical expertise, operational leadership, and the ability to guide complex financial transformation.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Deputy CFO has a strong internal and operational focus, serves on behalf of the CFO when needed, and provides leadership across the agency’s financial operations.
The work of the Deputy CFO centers on three priorities:
1. Technical Financial Leadership First and foremost, we are seeking a technical financial expert who brings substantial depth in accounting and financial management.
The Deputy CFO serves as a primary advisor to the CFO on agency financial operations and provides leadership over day-to-day finance operations. The successful candidate will be able to understand the accounting, and use that expertise to identify risk, strengthen controls, analyze financial information, and support sound decisions.
2. Operational Leadership Second, the Deputy CFO provides internal operational leadership for the Financial Services Division.
The position partners with teams throughout ESD to strengthen centralized financial operations and develop efficient and effective service-delivery models. The Deputy CFO helps lead the division’s operational work, support organizational health, develop leaders and staff, and assume supervisory responsibility for the Financial Services Division in the CFO’s absence.
3. Financial Transformation and Systems Third, the Deputy CFO will help lead ESD through a significant period of financial transformation and systems modernization.
The position oversees financial system-development and automation initiatives and plays an important role in ESD’s implementation of statewide One Washington and Workday financial systems. The successful candidate will help ESD prepare its people, processes, and financial operations for this transition and help shape the future of how financial work is performed across the agency.
The opportunity:
This role is for a financial leader who wants to understand the technical underpinnings, strengthen operations, develop people, and thoughtfully lead transformation.
The Deputy CFO has the opportunity to protect the integrity of today’s financial operations while helping shape how ESD’s financial work is performed in the future.
Required Education and Experience Option 1:10 years of progressively responsible financial management and operational leadership experience, including at least 5 years supervising professional-level finance staff and managing complex budgets.
Option 2:Associate’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field AND
8 years of progressively responsible financial management and operational leadership experience, including at least 5 years supervising professional-level finance staff and managing complex budgets.
Option 3:Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field AND
6 years of progressively responsible financial management and operational leadership experience, including at least 5 years supervising professional-level finance staff and managing complex budgets.
Required equity competencies: The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Core Competencies and Technical Skills Strategic Financial Planning & Forecasting: Ability to translate high-level economic data and trends into actionable, long-term agency financial plans and forecasts.
Internal Controls & Risk Management: Deep knowledge of internal control frameworks, risk assessment protocols, and financial mitigation strategies to safeguard agency resources.
Enterprise System Governance: Competency in aligning financial system development, automation initiatives, and IT portfolios with organizational goals.
Policy & Procedure Formulation: Skill in designing, updating, and executing administrative and financial policies that comply with state and federal regulations.
Intergovernmental Relations: Familiarity with state oversight and financial entities (such as the State Auditor's Office, Office of Financial Management, and State Treasurer's Office) to represent the agency effectively.
Leadership and Behavioral Competencies Transformational Leadership: Capacity to guide organizational change, streamline operational efficiencies, and foster cross-divisional collaboration (e.g., partnering with Unemployment Insurance and Leave and Care operations).
Executive Coaching & Development: Demonstrated talent for providing constructive leadership, professional development, and mentorship to high-performing finance teams.
Cultural Humility & DEI:A tangible, active commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to model and instill cultural humility across division leadership.
Decision-Making & Delegation: Sound judgment to act as a delegated appointing authority and step into supervisory oversight for the Financial Services Division when required.
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies: A Master’s degree (MBA, MPA) or professional certification such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
Demonstrated experience working within state or local government financial structures (such as Washington State's Office of Financial Management or similar state frameworks).
Demonstrated track record overseeing large-scale financial system automation or enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation projects (e.g., Workday ERP).
Required equity competencies: The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Why work with us?
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 AllWe 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 (360-742-8208), the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
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