Chief Financial Officer - Director of Financial and Business Services

• Lead statewide strategic planning to increase educational attainment. 
• Administer programs that help people access and pay for college.
• Advocate for the economic, social, and civic benefits of higher education. 

• We offer flexible/alternative work schedules, wellness activities, and teleworking opportunities.
• Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work.
• Employees have access to tuition assistance and tuition waiver programs.
• If you have experience advocating for communities of color or others who are experiencing educational inequities-including those directly impacted by the criminal justice system; people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual; veterans; and people with disabilities, you are strongly encouraged to apply, even if you don’t meet all of the desired/preferred qualification listed.

• This position is hybrid-eligible. WSAC operates primarily on a remote basis, but successful candidates must be able to work in the Olympia office and travel throughout Washington State when required. 
• Equipment and supplies required to work from home will be provided by the agency, including a computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• Work hours are standard business hours of Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, however, requirements of the position may require work more than normal scheduled hours due to travel, to meet high-volume and/or time-sensitive workload and agency priorities.

About Administrative Services

The Administrative Services Program collaborates with all stakeholders to achieve the goals and objectives of the WSAC.  Administrative Services recommends and implements effective and efficient practices throughout the agency, while upholding statewide rules and regulations, in accounting, budgeting, contracting, facilities, equipment, records management, human resources, programming, telecommunications and data network infrastructure, data management, purchasing, and grant compliance management services.

 About the Position

The Director of Financial and Business Services functions as the agency's chief financial officer to provide leadership and oversight for WSAC's budget, accounting, and business functions to support, enable and enhance the agency's policy and programmatic initiatives and activities. With appropriations for 2023-25 exceeding $1.2 billion, an administrative budget of over $40 million, and more than a dozen non-appropriated funds, WSAC has a complex financial portfolio and a wide variety of business lines. This position collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to achieve WSAC goals and objectives. The Director of Financial and Business Services recommends and implements effective and efficient practices throughout the agency, ensuring compliance with statewide rules and regulations governing accounting, budgeting, contracting, purchasing, and equipment. This position works in partnership with executive leadership and program managers to develop and improve consistent administrative practices throughout the agency. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Some of what you'll be doing includes:

• Providing overall strategic financial leadership to apply and manage financial resources in support of agency mission and program goals.
• Advising agency leadership in the development and implementation of administrative policies, procedures, and practices to achieve results.
• Directing the preparation and submission of biennial and supplemental agency budget requests and monitors appropriations requests throughout the governor's and legislative budget processes.
• Leading internal processes to prioritize and allocate resources from appropriations, non-appropriated accounts, and other sources to accomplish highest priority work.
• Managing and directing agency accounting operations.
• Managing and overseeing federal and state compliance functions, maintains internal controls and risk management, liaison with auditor and external financial agencies.
• Managing and overseeing contracting and purchasing activities.
• Directly supervisesing the Accounting Manager, Budget Manager, and Contracts and Procurement Manager, and indirectly oversees their respective teams.
• Continually assesing direct report employees' performance, recognizing good performance and intervening appropriately when performance is not acceptable.        
• Ensuring managers continually assess their direct report employees' performance, recognizing good performance and intervening appropriately when performance is not acceptable
• Managing and overseeing the contracting functions of the WSAC, including: evaluate current processes and establish new procedures as necessary; ensure contract compliance; advise program staff on RFP preparation and advertising, evaluation and selection of bidders, and contract management issues; serve as contract manager for any general or agency-wide contracts.
• Managing the agency’s implementation and ongoing use of the state’s Workday financial management software.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations that govern accounting, budgeting, contracting, purchasing, and grant management.
• Familiarity with state financial and business processes, resources, and systems.
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills.
• A commitment to honor diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate to others complex policies and procedures.
• Proficient with spreadsheets and word processing.

Education and Professional Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration or related field
• Three years supervisory experience
• Five years’ experience serving at the senior professional level in financial management including government accounting and budgeting.
• Knowledge of advanced financial principles, GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), federal and state laws and regulations governing accounting, budgeting, and grant management.
• Knowledge of Washington State and federal laws and regulations governing accounting, budgeting and grant management.    

Desired Qualifications 

• Advanced degree or professional certification such as CPA, CGFM, etc.
• Knowledge of federal and /or state financial aid programs and processes
• Knowledge of Washington State procurement policies and procedures
• Knowledge of audit requirements and current topics

1. Letter of Application.  A letter of application that addresses how you meet the required education and experience described in this announcement. Applications with generic cover letters will be considered nonresponsive and may eliminate the application from further consideration.
2. Resume.  A detailed resume including all educational and professional experience.
3. References.  A list of names, titles, and current telephone numbers of three (3) employment references.
4. Your responses to the supplemental questions. 

Salary : $140,000 - $150,000