Chief Financial Officer – Department of Social Services

The County of Santa Barbara is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Department of Social Services in Santa Barbara, California. We are seeking a finance and accounting professional who has strong organizational leadership skills, financial acumen, strategic business thinking, and experience with complex financial systems and programs in a governmental agency, preferably a California health and human services organization. This position is categorized as a Financial Services Manager III classification within the County’s leadership series.

The ideal candidate is a public accounting and budgeting expert, with the ability to see the bigger picture and make decisions based on a commitment to long-term financial integrity. As CFO, you will be an integral part of the Department’s leadership team, helping navigate the Department through changing fiscal and policy mandates, priority-setting, and funding decisions that best support the Department’s mission to help vulnerable members of our community become safe, supported, and self-sufficient.

The incumbent will understand and have a passion for public finance and budgeting and be able to effectively communicate complex concepts to both technical and lay audiences. Our ideal candidate is a transparent and collaborative leader with unquestionable ethics, and experience overseeing complex financial, budgeting, and accounting operations, preferably in a large California public sector health and human services organization. The next CFO for the Department of Social Services will demonstrate emotional intelligence, question the status quo, and seek out innovative solutions to complex problems to improve how we do business and better serve the community.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:

• Have strong analytical skills and use data and financial strategy to manage complex and changing environments.
• Understand complex, interconnected budgets and funding sources.
• Have experience overseeing the budgeting and finances of a large government agency.
• Be a visionary and approachable leader who builds trust, cooperation, and collaboration.
• Be highly organized, able to plan ahead, multitask, and manage time effectively.
• Stay calm under pressure and meet deadlines with a steady leadership style.
• Have experience working in a diverse team, both leading and supporting others to deliver strong results.
• Have experience implementing a large-scale financial or other IT system in a public agency. Experience implementing or using the Workday system is highly desirable.
• Have experience forecasting financial outcomes, developing recommendations, and clearly communicating them to leadership, both verbally and in writing.
• Work effectively with the Auditor-Controller, County finance staff, and the County Executive Office.
• Make recommendations to executive leadership that balance the upholding of financial best practices with Department goals, culture, and available resources.
• Be committed to continuous improvement, including process redesign, technology upgrades, and organizational change.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be: 

• Equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field and, 
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or finance, including at least three (3) years as a supervisor or manager. 

 Desirable Qualifications: 

• The following licenses or certifications are desirable but not required: Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA).