DSHS HCLA Director, Management Services Division

Full Job Description

DSHS ALTSA Director, Management Service Division

Help shape the future of long-term services and support in Washington State

Are you a strategic, compassionate leader who believes that sound fiscal stewardship is essential to dignity, independence, and choice?

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) invite applications for the Director of the Management Services Division (MSD) within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA).

This is a rare opportunity to serve at the executive level in a mission-driven organization that supports older adults and people with disabilities across Washington.

In this role, you will help ensure that public resources are managed with integrity, transparency, and care, enabling critical services that thousands of Washingtonians rely on every day.

About HCLA

HCLA oversees Washington State’s nationally recognized system of long-term services and supports, serving older adults and people with disabilities through:

• Home- and community-based services
• Protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• Regulatory oversight of licensed and certified care settings
• Case management and communication access services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind

Our work is grounded in choice, independence, dignity, safety, and equity and fiscal leadership is central to making that vision real.

About the Role

The Management Services Division Director is a senior executive leader who serves as the Chief Financial Officer for HCLA. Reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary, this role provides strategic leadership and oversight for:

• Budget and financial management
• Accounting and internal controls
• Medicaid caseload forecasting and rate setting
• Contracting and facilities management

The MSD Director oversees:

• An $18 billion biennial budget
• A division with an $8 million annual operating budget
• Fiscal systems supporting over 100,000 clients annually
• Billions of dollars in federal Medicaid matching funds

This role balances technical excellence with values-based leadership, ensuring both fiscal integrity and human impact.

What You Will Do

As MSD Director, you will:

• Serve as Chief Financial Officer for HCLA, providing executive-level fiscal leadership and strategic direction
• Lead statewide budget development, allotment management, accounting policy, contracting, and internal controls
• Direct development of biennial and supplemental budgets, fiscal notes, and complex caseload models
• Oversee Medicaid forecasting and provider rate development across major service areas
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and grant requirements, reducing fiscal and audit risk
• Advise the Assistant Secretary and DSHS executive leadership on complex fiscal and policy matters
• Build strong partnerships with the Office of Financial Management, legislative staff, DSHS Central Budget Office, providers, advocates, and federal partners
• Serve as Appointing Authority for the division, supporting hiring, performance management, labor relations, and staff development
• Lead with a transparent, ethical, and results-oriented approach to stewardship of public resources

Programs supported include nursing facilities, in-home services, adult family homes, residential care and assisted living, and employment and community inclusion services.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a leader who combines deep fiscal expertise with humility, collaboration, and a commitment to public service.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, public administration, business administration, social services, or a related field
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experiencein a large, complex public-sector or social-services organization
• At least 5 years supervising professional fiscal, budget, and/or rate-management staff in a government setting
• Equivalent professional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of public-sector financial management, budgeting, accounting, and federal grant requirements
• Proven success managing large, complex budgets with multiple funding streams
• Experience navigating legislative and politically sensitive environments
• Strong understanding of state and federal budget processes
• Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity, transparency, and professionalism
• Commitment to inclusive leadership, equity, and workforce diversity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in labor relations and collective bargaining environments
• Strategic planning and performance-management experience
• Demonstrated success using data to inform policy and operational decisions

Why Join Us

At HCLA, fiscal leadership is not just about numbers, it’s about people, trust, and long-term impact. You’ll join a collaborative executive team that values:

• Thoughtful decision-making
• Partnership and respect
• Continuous learning and improvement
• Service to communities across Washington State

Questions? Please email kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference 00046. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Additional Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.


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