Chief Financial Officer (Executive IX)

About the role

The Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance provides leadership and direction in establishing and executing the financial strategy for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for the successful implementation of the State Board of Education (SBOE) and MSDE's multi-year strategic plan and the Blueprint of Maryland's Future's vision for the success of all students. This role is responsible for the preparation, and presentation of the budget to the State Board of Education, Governor's Office, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and to the committees of the General Assembly.

Position Duties

• Executing the Department's financial strategy that is reflected in the annual budget
• Providing leadership, advice and guidance to the Department's response to fiscal notes, communication with DBM and the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) as well as special projects impacting the State's education and important program budgets
• Establishing and implementing policies and programs to align fiscal resources in accordance with the fiscal policies and regulations
• Overseeing the Division of Finance to ensure a successful implementation and management of over $12 billion in federal and State funds, control of encumbrances, timely invoicing and payments to Department's vendors and stakeholders, ensure that financial operations and transactions are verified, recorded and reported to management in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and in compliance with State and federal regulations and practices
• Establishing a vision, direction, goals, and capacity building where division staff are prepared and held to a high level of performance ensuring transparent and efficient operations for all the branches within the division
• Approving major budget alignments, material procurements, and material journal adjustments
• Supervising the work of the Deputy Chief Financial Officers, Senior Executive Directors, and Directors in the Division of Finance to ensure efficient and accurate financial operations

Education

A bachelor's or higher-level degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in resource planning and budget administration, public policy and fiscal analysis, experience in critical fiscal policy implementation, leading large-scale fiscal operations, and experience in leading an agency through federal and state financial audits.
• At least five years of the required experience must have included high-level managerial experience supervising finance teams, professional staff, and overseeing departmental operations.

Qualifications

• A master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of the required non-managerial experience.
• Possession of an active Certified Public Accountant License or an active Certified Government Finance Manager accreditation may substitute for one year of the required non-managerial experience.
• Candidates must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public sector budgeting in an agency receiving at least $2,000,000 annually in State and Federal Funding
• Experience with Federal funding and grants management
• Experience developing policies related to organizational finance and budget
• Understanding of Maryland government accounting