Salary : $100,000.00 - $149,724.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Employment Security Department
Division: Administrative Services
Opening Date: 09/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
DescriptionDeputy Chief Financial OfficerThe 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.
DutiesThe work of the Deputy CFO centers on three priorities:
1. Technical Financial LeadershipFirst 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 LeadershipSecond, 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 SystemsThird, 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.
To request a full job description, click here QualificationsRequired Education and ExperienceOption 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.
Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.Please submit your Cover Letter* and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Supplemental Information 
