Deputy Chief Financial Officer (WMS 3)

Full Job Description

Deputy Chief Financial Officer (WMS 3)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Financial Services Division (FSD) is responsible for the Commerce Department’s consolidated Accounting and Budgeting functions, and for leading the agency’s fiscal policy. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who is the Director of FSD. The Deputy CFO serves as Acting CFO during the CFO’s absence and makes decisions on behalf of the CFO. In support of the CFO, this position is responsible for recommending and implementing agency-wide fiscal policy and execution of federal, state, and local funds in accordance with state and federal laws. The Deputy CFO is responsible for administering and overseeing agency-wide projects with significant political impact. The position provides leadership to Financial Services Division staff and is a subject matter expert in budgeting, accounting, project management, process improvement, and communication, in coordination with other Financial Services team members.

The Financial Services Division (FSD) provides consolidated financial services to all agency employees and programs. The Deputy CFO assumes a strategic role in the overall oversight of financial service execution on behalf of the agency. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer has primary responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and controlling, with oversight, policy work for FSD.

The Deputy CFO coordinates process and activities that span multiple financial disciplines, including coordination between FSD and the programs it supports, and coordination between the Accounting and Budget teams within the Division.

This position acts as the CFO’s designated backup. The CFO and Deputy CFO as have decision making authority to determine compliance with statewide budget laws, rules, regulations, policies and practices as matters may arise.

A critical function of the Deputy CFO is to provide recommendations to the CFO to establish, create and direct the department's policy activities and provide leadership in internal controls, operations, project management, and financial management practices throughout the department. This position provides strategic direction to the agency for the most effective, creative and flexible use of available resources in an allowable manner. In consultation with others in FSD, the Deputy CFO will help guide staff in navigating complex financial services for the wide variety of grants, loans and contracts managed by the Department. At times, needs will arise to advise executive management and help shape decisions made for effective internal controls, policy, budget management throughout the 700+ programs in the Department. The Deputy CFO influences and has oversight of the agency budget operations, and helps develop staff based on best practices.

This position is based in Olympia, WA.

Requirements

Division Leadership: This position brings vision and guidance to the Financial Services Division (FSD) to ensure the Department’s mission is accomplished in alignment with leadership objectives. The Deputy CFO is the second most senior position in FSD and provides oversight and direction to the entire division.

Financial Services Coordination: The Deputy CFO provides strategic leadership and guidance to coordinate activities between the Central Budget Office (CBO) and Accounting Services to ensure the agency’s financial management systems are efficient and effective. To best accomplish this duty, the loop Deputy CFO also directly supervises the Budget Director and Accounting Services Managing Director.

Internal Controls: The Deputy CFO supports FSD leadership to ensure systems of internal controls are in place to safeguard financial assets, including processes to ensure compliance with federal regulations, state laws, the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), and Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). Partnering with the Contracts and Compliance Division, this position supports audits and implements internal controls to ensure financial integrity, accuracy, transparency, and reliability. This position is responsible for financial risk management, implementation of internal controls, audit support, process improvement, and recommending and implementing financial policies. The Deputy CFO collaborates agency-wide to ensure policies and procedures are in place for financial strategies that align with Commerce’s goals.

Executive Leadership Support: The Deputy CFO consults with executive leadership to support the specific programs, and the mission of the agency. The position serves as a change agent by assessing and anticipating fiscal needs by creating and integrating the solutions necessary to proactively meet them.

Qualifications

Required Education, and Experience:
10 years of combined experience and education as described below:
Experience: must include two or more of the following areas:
• Strategic Leadership and Planning Skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, collaborate and resolve complex issues
• Ability to understand complex fiscal and budget information, translate to actional insight for internal leadership, legislative partners and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of Washington State Operating and Capital budget process, legislative procedures, fiscal analysis and policy impacts.
• Knowledge of AFRS, Workday, and/or other related financial management tools
• Cultivate working relationships with Office of Financial Management partners, legislative fiscal committees, and other state agencies.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with ability to communicate financial information clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences.

A minimum of 2 years of supervisory or lead experience
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or public administration or closely aligned field

Examples of how to qualify:
• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience and one year of education
• 8 years of experience and two years of education
• 7 years of experience and three years of education
• 6 years of experience and four years of education
• 5 years of experience and five years of education
• 4 years of experience and six years of education

Required Position Competencies:
• Strong interpersonal skills including relationship building, problem solving and teamwork
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, and to work effectively with staff, other divisions, stakeholders and public.
• Ability to intuitively anticipate problems and the impact of potential changes.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• Experience working with the Washington state budget cycle
• Experience working with the Washington state legislature
• Experience with Washington state financial applications such as Workday, AFRS, TALS, Enterprise Reports, Salary Projection System, Agency Budget System, Capital Budget System, etc.
• Advanced skills in standard Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.