Summary

This job involves managing the financial side of Washington's behavioral health programs, ensuring budgets are accurate, compliant with laws, and support community mental health services.

The role includes leading a team to develop funding proposals and work with leaders to align finances with policy goals.

It's a great fit for someone with strong financial expertise who wants to contribute to public health initiatives in a state agency.

Key Requirements

Experience in financial management, budgeting, and forecasting for large-scale programs
Knowledge of behavioral health delivery systems and non-Medicaid services
Ability to ensure compliance with federal and state fiscal regulations
Leadership skills to manage a finance unit and collaborate with stakeholders
Proficiency in financial analysis, rate setting, and accounting operations
Commitment to applying an equity lens in all work processes
Willingness to work onsite in Olympia, WA, at least 2 days per week

Full Job Description

Behavioral Health Delivery System Finance Unit Manager (WMSB2/FS)

71088468

This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin on January 22nd, 2026, and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

The Behavioral Health Delivery System Finance Unit Manager is key to the success of the Health Care Authorities’ mission, by ensuring that fiscal products are accurate and accountable, so that the agency is in compliance with federal and state requirements to ensure funding is appropriately allocated.

This position is also instrumental in assisting executive leadership, by developing budget proposals that advance leadership's policy priorities.

If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference in your community then this might be the fit for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

This position is located within the HCA’s Financial Services Division (FSD), which in collaboration with other HCA divisions and a variety of external stakeholders and legislative partners, provides strategic financial expertise for Apple Health, PEBB and SEBB programs.

In addition, FSD oversees the budget and compliance functions necessary to manage and monitor the single largest Washington State individual agency operating budget.

Functions include budget management, accounting, forecasting, professional and hospital rate setting, financial analysis, and payment/collection operations.

This division maintains a close working relationship with agency program, policy, and clinical divisions to ensure financially sound implementation and monitoring of program strategies.

It is also accountable to the Governor and legislature in ensuring HCA operates within its budget.

About the position:The Behavioral Health (BH) Delivery System Finance Unit Manager reports to the Healthcare Rates and Finance Deputy Section Manager and is responsible for leading the strategic fiscal functions that support the Non-Medicaid Services and Contract management for the state's BH program operating within the Financial Services Division (FSD) of the HCA.

In collaboration with other HCA divisions and a variety of external stakeholders and legislative partners, FSD provides strategic financial expertise for the Behavioral Health, Medicaid, and Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) programs.

In addition, FSD oversees the budget and compliance functions necessary to manage and monitor a $21 billion annual budget.

Functions include budget management, forecasting, professional and hospital rate setting, financial analysis, accounting and payment/collection operations.

This position is eligible to telework but is required to report on site 2 days a week and as needed to meet business needs.

The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA.

Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.

Requirements

Some of what you will do:

Develop and monitor compliance with the financial portions of Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BHASO) contracts. The process involves robust financial and actuarial analysis of behavioral health claims and data utilization to support internal decision-making.
Oversee all statewide audit activities associated with fiscal portions of the BHASO contracts.
Oversee the semi- annual communication and negotiations of fiscal contract exhibits with Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASO).
Oversee the creation of ad hoc high-level statistical and data-analyses as needed to support agency as well as external decision makers, particularly Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Office of Financial Management (OFM) and the Washington State Legislature.
Oversee the development of financial models used in HCA budget decision packages and legislative fiscal notes totaling hundreds of millions annually.
Oversee the development and process for monitoring Revenue and Expenditure reports provided by BHASOs and MCOs as appropriate and necessary for funding reviews.
Interpret proposed state and federal legislation that fiscally impacts HCA and review/ approve estimated of the fiscal impacts of these proposals.
Oversee the reparation of and review and approve complex decision packages and fiscal notes for consideration by the HCA Director, Governor, and the Legislature that outline issues with current funding and/or initiate policy proposals to address anticipated future fiscal needs.
Review and approve implementation/spending plans and cost/savings models for review by agency leadership, OFM, and the state Legislature.
Manage staff within the BH Delivery System Finance Unit, including the development and oversight of daily budget operations, work schedules, prioritization of task for employees to align work assignments and projects with federal and state fiscal deadlines.
Train, mentor, and develop direct reports in rates and finance section methods and procedures.
Enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.
Resolve staff disputes and grievances and mediate conflict as necessary for all unit staff.
Lead and coordinate workflow processes and procedures.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Analytic & Technical Skills

Knowledge of Managed Care, Medicaid, and Medicare payment policies.
Knowledge of federal Medicaid and Medicare statute (USC) codes (CFR), Medicaid State Plan, state laws (RCW), and regulations (WAC) that pertain to reimbursement and qualifications for Medicaid reimbursement.
Previous experience with large budget responsibilities.
Ability to see both big picture and minute budget data details.
Expert/advanced level skill with Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of designing complex modeling, structuring ad-hoc data for use in pivot tables and composing nested formulas.
Ability to creatively use resources to create and document work processes and analytical tools.
Ability to analyze data, identify data needs, develop problem solving strategies, support ideas using data as evidence, develop goals and priorities, and establish benchmarks.
Ability to analyze and research the differences among budgeted and forecasted expenditures and actual expenditures and effectively communicate the reason for the differences.
Analytical skills for financial research and modeling in complex multi-system environment.
Experience with Behavioral Health Programs and policies

Communication Skills

Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial/analytical information for non-financial/analytical audiences.
Must be able to communicate in a positive manner with diverse audiences and facilitate large and small teams.
Experience communicating with an array of audiences, ranging from staff with little financial background to elected government officials and federal auditors.
Ability to coordinate and build consensus among internal/external stakeholders toward the development of departmental and legislative initiatives.
Ability to develop and review complex written materials and provide detailed policy analysis.

Management Skills

Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities.
Ability to train and mentor staff.
Experience managing and reviewing work to ensure quality.
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Qualifying candidates will also meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

Bachelor’s degree in business, Public Administration, Accounting, Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, or another quantitative field.
Three (3) years of experience in a financial or analytical field.

Option 2:

Seven (7) years of experience in a financial or analytical field.

Required competencies:

The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience within the State or other government entity is strongly preferred.
Master's degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
Knowledge or experience of legislative process including bill analysis and fiscal note preparation.
Project Management experience/certification.
Experience working in a behavioral health setting.
Experience working with the Washington State Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) data.
Knowledge of the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS).
Experience working with the federal government.
Familiarity with State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations that impact/govern the State’s Medicaid, CHIP, and state funded health programs.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.

To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Additional Information

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery.

Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.

HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description.

Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Angelic Matthews at angelic.matthews@hca.wa.gov

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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Behavioral Health Delivery System Finance Unit Manager (WMS2/FS)

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Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

Requirements

Qualifications

Additional Information

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