Deputy Executive Officer - Budget and Finance

Ventura County, CA

• $158K — $222K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
  • 5 years of experience in budget, finance, or capital/land-use management
  • Proven supervisory experience
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to analyze legislation and regulations effectively

Responsibilities

  • Lead cross-departmental teams to implement strategic initiatives
  • Oversee capital improvement projects and infrastructure developments
  • Manage real estate acquisition and county property strategies
  • Implement standardized processes for inter-departmental workflows
  • Direct budget management and policy development across programs

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Retirement plan options
  • Employee wellness programs and resources
  • Support for professional development and training
  • Flexible work arrangements available
Full Job Description
Salary: $158,650.17 - $222,132.02 Annually
Location : Ventura County Government Center, CA
Job Type: At-Will
Job Number: 00108CEO-26AA(BF)
Department: County Executive Office
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

The Position

Under the direction of the County Chief Financial Officer, manages and supervises the Budget and Finance (B&F) section and performs related work as required. The selected candidate's roles and responsibilities include:
  • Leads cross-departmental working groups to execute CEO and Board of Supervisors priorities and strategic initiatives.
  • Oversees the lifecycle management of major county capital improvement projects and programs, including large-scale infrastructure developments.
  • Leads a team that sets the County's strategic capital outlay and land use planning outlook, oversees high-priority capital projects, and advances regional sustainability efforts.
  • Engages in inter-departmental workflows and implements standardized administrative processes across county agencies to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery.
  • Manages high-priority executive projects and ad hoc policy assignments directly assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, ensuring timely and effective execution.
  • Oversees real estate acquisition opportunities and analysis, property management, and facility allocation strategies for county-owned assets.
  • Leads efforts to optimize operational performance, service delivery, and fiscal stability through inter-departmental initiatives, policy development, and strategic planning.
  • Directs the development and implementation of countywide policies, procedures, and programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, be a seasoned budget and management professional, and have experience supervising and leading staff engaged in a broad range of fiscal and budget program functions. In addition, the candidate will provide excellent customer service, anticipate problems and develop proactive solutions, provide positive leadership through staff development, and foster teamwork, a strong work ethic, and collaboration among staff and County departments.
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: County Executive Office
PAYROLL TITLE: Deputy Executive Officer

This position is at-will and excluded from the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB2 level.

Recruitment Schedule: This position is open on a continuous basis; applicants are encouraged to apply promptly for immediate consideration. This position may close without notice.
Review of Application Materials: The first review of application materials will occur the week of October 26, 2026. Application materials submitted after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The County reserves the right to advance exceptionally qualified candidates forward in the process at any time, regardless of the review schedule. To receive prompt consideration, please submit your materials by the first review date. All relevant experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility.

Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Recommends policy, defines and implements procedures, and administers the budgets of the program areas and division assignments to ensure the quality and continuity of services to CEO, agencies, and departments;
  • Leads the development of training documentation for staff and supervises and evaluates division staff;
  • Leads staff assignments that are complex and sensitive in nature
  • Interprets and applies policies, rules, and procedures; analyzes legislation and regulations;
  • Leads a capital management team that creates and implements the strategic development of County land and properties
  • Represents the Department/Division in meetings, conferences, workshops, and other forums; may confer with representatives of other governmental jurisdictions and private firms to exchange related information;
  • Assists in the formulation of policy, goals, and objectives for the Department/Division while performing a variety of administrative tasks
  • Represents the County before the Board of Supervisors, Grand Jury, and the Civil Service Commission, or other groups or organizations;
  • Coordinates, directs, and conducts special projects, studies, surveys, and analyses as needed;
  • Develops and implements new or modified policies, programs, methods, and procedures to resolve management challenges; researches and presents findings and recommendations for changes in policies and practices to management;
  • Staffs and/or coordinates work groups or committees in assigned program areas;
  • Responsible for developing and updating the County's Admin Manual, the B&F's Desktop Manual for analysts, and other internal strategic documentation
  • Represents the Department on various committees and work groups in areas such as County policy development, disaster coordination, or other areas depending on assignment;
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess an educational and employment background with considerable experience in a CEO work unit or related field which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can be obtained by completion of a Bachelor's degree AND at least five (5) years of budget, financial, or capital/land-use experience, including experience with the supervision of employees.
Competencies:
  • Take independent action and appropriate, calculated risks.
  • Make sound, accurate decisions under pressure.
  • Communicate your findings and recommendations persuasively to a variety of audiences.
  • Prioritize competing timelines, ensuring each project receives appropriate time and consideration.
  • Meet obligations and commitments.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.
  • Supervise staff effectively, including accurately assessing staffing levels and training needs, leveraging staff's strengths, and taking appropriate corrective or disciplinary action as necessary.
  • Demonstrate leadership and integrity even when challenged by highly stressful or crisis situations.
  • Gain and maintain credibility with superiors, co-workers, the public, and managers.

Recruitment Process
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, submit your resume and cover letter that illustrate the following:
  • Budget Preparation & Management: Your experience preparing, analyzing, and managing budgets, including the total dollar size, funding sources, and complexity of those budgets;
  • Legislative & Regulatory Analysis: Your experience analyzing and interpreting legislation and regulations, as well as determining their fiscal and operational impact on a specific jurisdiction;
  • Staff Leadership & Development: Your experience managing, directing, and training staff, including the titles, team sizes, and primary functions of the staff you have supervised; and
  • Public & Board Presentations: Your experience preparing and delivering presentations to governing boards, elected officials, professional organizations, and the public.

Submit in one of the following ways: Submit your resume and cover letter online at http://www.venturacounty.gov/jobs orEmail to:
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first resume review will occur the week of October 26, 2026. Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The County reserves the right to advance exceptionally qualified candidates forward in the process at any time, regardless of the review schedule. To receive prompt consideration, please submit your materials by the first review date. All relevant experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility.

Interview Process

Well-qualified candidates, as evidenced by their résumés, may be invited to an initial screening interview, which may be conducted by phone, one-way video, or another format at the County's discretion. Candidates who advance will be invited to an in-person panel interview, and top finalists will then meet with the Director of the Health Care Agency and the County Executive Officer for a final interview. The interview process may be consolidated or expanded based on the size and quality of the candidate pool.

Background Investigation

The selected candidate may be subject to a thorough background investigation, which may include inquiries into past employment, education, criminal history, and driving record. In addition, the successful candidate will undergo DOJ/FBI Live Scan fingerprinting.

For more information about this position, please contact Bill Friedel at (805) 654-2419 or at
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT LEVEL (Groups 1 & 2)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.
  • or you may call (805) 654-2570.
Union Codes: MA, MB2

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Ventura County, CA

More Finance & Insurance Jobs

Find similar Deputy Executive Officer - Budget and Finance jobs: