Chief Financial Officer presso Washington Health Benefit Exchange

The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.

The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.

The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:

Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange s area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.

SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) directs the Exchange’s administration and finance activities and provides leadership and oversight of accounting, budget, contracts management, human resources (People and Culture), and facilities. This position reports directly to the CEO, is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, and contributes deeply to enterprise-wide leadership of the organization. The CFO has primary responsibility for planning, implementing, and managing all financial-related activities, including budget development and implementation, enrollment and revenue forecasting and accounting. The CFO oversees all financial reporting, budget monitoring, and contract management and ensures financial compliance with state and federal requirements. The CFO also oversees People and Culture responsible for strategic guidance in a variety of human resource areas ensuring the organization builds, engages, and retains its most important asset, its employees. Additionally, the CFO ensures stewardship of the Exchange’s physical assets. 

The CFO values transparency and collaboration in determining resource priorities and provides support and leadership to cross-departmental and interagency initiatives. The CFO acts as key informant to the development of legislative proposals and state budget requests. The CFO holds accountability for forecasting enrollment and assessment, identifying Medicaid revenue and federal match, as well as overseeing development of Medicaid Advanced Planning process for the Exchange.  

The CFO must develop effective working relationships with key stakeholders and partners, including the Office of Financial Management legislative staff, as well as Health and Human Services agency fiscal partners.   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Represent the Exchange in fiscal matters and develops strategic relationships with state and federal officials, health plans, the Exchange Board of Directors and Committees and other relevant entities as requested. 

•    Work with the Executive leadership team to shape, track and monitor enterprise-wide strategic priorities. Support peers and Inform leadership strategy with fiscal outlook and federal and state budget authorizing environment expertise. 

•    Provide leadership in the development and the continuous evaluation of the short and long¬ term strategic financial, accounting, contract management and human resource objectives. 

•    Continuously improve the financial systems for accounting, budgeting, cash and asset management, forecasting and activity-based financial analyses to provide oversight of the Exchange's operations and business plans. 

•    Annually update financial plans and projects including accounting, billing and auditing procedures. 

•    Oversee the preparation of financial statements and reports, including monthly financial reporting to the Exchange Board, annual reporting to the Legislature and the Office of Financial Management. 

•    Develop the annual and biennial budget requests to the Legislature. Ensure timely responses to requests for fiscal notes and other financial information.    

•    Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal, and state laws and rules for financial reporting. 

•    Oversee accounting to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions. 

•    Establish annual carrier assessment and ensure that appropriate fund sources are used for expenditures.  

•    Ensure adherence to internal controls and financial policies and procedures. 

•    Ensure timeliness, accuracy and usefulness of financial and management reporting and oversee the timely preparation and communication of monthly and annual financial statements. 

•    Oversee the Contracts Management program, including negotiating and creating contracts, ensuring vendor and contractor compliance, and monitoring the success of contracted projects. 

•    Oversee the People and Culture team to ensure an engaged and motivated Exchange workforce from recruitment and hiring through development, support, compensation, evaluation, cultural growth of the organization, and human resource policy development and implementation. 

•    Oversee facilities management activities ensure safe, secure, and adequate physical workplace. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

•    Seven to ten years of financial experience and management experience with the day-to-day financial operations of an organization of at least 100 staff persons, and oversight of budget of at least $50 million. 

•    Experience in strategic planning and execution in a public environment. Knowledge of contracting, negotiating, human resources programs and policies and finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and knowledge of financial reporting systems. 

•    Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations and state and federal reporting.  

•    Progressively responsible people management skills that includes performance management, conducting performance reviews, hiring, and recommending or conducting employment terminations 

•    Strong analytical skills.  

•    Demonstrated ability to work within a fast-paced quickly evolving organization and able to manage multiple, complex priorities and respond to changes effectively. 

•    Demonstrated effectiveness with Washington State legislative processes, fiscal note production procedures and processes, WACs, and federal laws and policies regarding health care in Washington State.  

•    Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel, Word, and outlook. 

•    A committed team player with exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving and communication skills. A persuasive leader and motivator who is open and inclusive and strives to bring people together to build consensus but takes responsibility for the final decision. Strong oral and written presentation skills are essential. 

Desired:  

•    Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration or related degree.

•    Familiarity with health care systems, health insurance and managed care, with significant knowledge of state health care system and state and federal health care laws. 

•    Certified Public Accountant.  

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application with a cover letter as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. 

We will be giving priority to applications received through November 30, 2025. To ensure your application is considered, we recommend submitting your materials as soon as possible within this timeframe.

SALARY INFORMATION

Full Salary Range: $152,770.00 to $229,155.00 annually, with midpoint at $190,963.00. 

Hiring Range: $175,686.00 and $190,963.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer. 

The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market.  Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum. 

BENEFITS

Take a peek at our benefits package. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are times where irregular hours will be required.  The preferred duty station is our Olympia, Washington headquarters.  The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration.  Leadership and managerial roles are required to work in-office a minimum of two to three days per week and must be able to travel as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of their position. Travel requirements will be limited, however there may be occasions where an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment, including setup for remote work. The employee is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe, ergonomic, and secure workspace at their remote location.   

The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This position may involve access to confidential data such as personally identifiable information (PII) and is designated as moderate risk. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to appointment and every five years thereafter. The results must meet the Exchange’s eligibility standards. Additionally, the position requires completion of the annual Security and Privacy Awareness training.

OTHER INFORMATION

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

This is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We participate in E-Verify. You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster here.