DSHS ESA DFFR Deputy Director

DFFR Deputy Director (WMS3) The DFFR Deputy Director serves as the second-in-command for the Division of Finance and Financial Resources (DFFR) and provides executive-level leadership, strategic oversight, and operational direction for the Economic Services Administration's (ESA) statewide financial and administrative functions. This job plays a critical role in ensuring strong financial stewardship, operational excellence, compliance, internal controls, and organizational readiness across ESA's approximately $3.4 billion biennial budget and roughly 2,700 annual contracts. This role acts with delegated authority from the DFFR Director and serves as the acting authority in the Director's absence, providing leadership continuity for division operations and administration-wide initiatives.

What This Role Is Responsible For:

Providing strategic leadership and oversight for DFFR operations, compliance, internal controls, and operational modernization initiatives Leading cross-functional operational improvements across accounting, budgeting, grants management, contracting, procurement, and financial reporting functions Strengthening internal controls, audit readiness, compliance monitoring, and fiscal risk mitigation efforts Leading organizational change management and operational readiness efforts related to major statewide and federal initiatives, including One Washington/ERP transformation efforts Overseeing development and use of business intelligence, dashboards, reporting tools, and performance metrics to support executive decision-making Supervising and developing leadership staff, including multiple WMS managers responsible for internal controls, decision support, contracts, procurement, budgeting, grants management, and accounting functions

What Success Looks Like:

Strong and sustainable internal control environment that minimizes audit risk and strengthens accountability Successful operational modernization efforts that improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and service delivery Effective implementation of operational and compliance strategies supporting ESA's long-term goals Accurate, reliable, and accessible financial and operational data that supports executive leadership decision-making Successful navigation of large-scale organizational and system transformations with minimal disruption Strong collaboration and alignment across divisions, administrations, and external partners Key Expectations of the

Role:

Serve as a strategic advisor to ESA and DFFR leadership on operational, financial, compliance, and organizational risks Lead through ambiguity and complexity in a fast-paced, high-accountability government environment Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and cultural transformation across the division Build strong partnerships and influence across multiple programs, administrations, and external stakeholders Lead high-impact initiatives involving operational redesign, automation, business intelligence, and compliance improvements Ensure ESA remains compliant with federal regulations, state laws, and agency policies while supporting mission-critical services statewide What we are looking for: Executive-level leadership experience in large, complex governmental, financial, operational, or administrative environments Strong operational leadership skills, including process improvement, organizational change management, and strategic planning Deep understanding of government operations and compliance, including budgeting, accounting, procurement, contracts, grants management, and internal controls Experience leading modernization and transformation efforts, including workflow redesign, automation, reporting systems, or ERP/business system implementation Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and lead cross-functional initiatives Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, including experience using data and performance metrics to drive decision-making Demonstrated ability to lead and develop managers and high-performing teams through periods of change and competing priorities Strong communication and executive presence, with the ability to present complex operational and financial issues clearly to leadership and partners Who should apply? Those with a bachelor's degree from an accredited university in public administration, accounting, business or operations management, finance or related field AND A minimum of ten years of paid, professional-level management experience in financial operations, accounting, public administration, budgeting, or a closely related field, with demonstrated expertise in: Engaging in organizational management, including process improvement, staff development, communication, and team-building Leading, motivating, mentoring, and developing professional and technical staff to drive high performance and operational excellence Planning, directing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating functional and technical operations to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and enhance accountability across large government organizations Interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations—including 2 CFR 200, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)— within complex governmental environments Managing and analyzing data to support decision-making and enterprise-level financial operations Leading cross-functional teams and overseeing performance management in multi-program, high-complexity government settings Preparing clear, concise reports and delivering effective presentations to executive leadership Driving cultural and organizational change, influencing resistant teams, and navigating complex organizational dynamics Applying strategic planning, performance metrics, and continuous improvement frameworks to strengthen organizational effectiveness Relevant professional experience described above may substitute year for year for the required education.

Why This Role Matters:

This job is critical to ESA's operational stability, financial stewardship, compliance posture, and readiness for major statewide and federal changes. Decisions made in this role directly impact audit outcomes, federal funding stability, operational continuity, system transformation success, and ESA's ability to effectively deliver services to vulnerable individuals and families across Washington State. The role is especially important as ESA navigates significant operational transformation efforts, evolving federal requirements, and enterprise-wide modernization initiatives that require strong leadership, coordination, and risk management. Questions? Please contact sean.brauner@dshs.wa.gov and reference #03927. 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. 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. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security