Chief Financial Officer
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Chief Financial Officer
Salary
$12,940.33 - $13,240.03 Monthly
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
021020261153
Department
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Opening Date
02/11/2026
Closing Date
2/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
1600 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
HR@dhe.state.co.us
Type of Announcement
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
This announcement is open to all eligible candidates that live within Colorado. This position is being posted in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. A candidate has identified for this role; we are committed to providing transparency regarding compensation and opportunities to our eligible workforce.
Position Description
The Chief Financial Officer(CFO)is responsible for leadership and oversight of the Department's Budget and Accounting Division, including the Department budget, collaboration with the Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting(OSPB), the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and the Capital Development Committee (CDC)on the annual state budget for higher education, convening the institutional CFOs, and establishing and implementing the overall budget strategy for the Department and Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE).The position works closely with OSPB to develop and refine the approach to higher education budgeting in the state. The position maintains a general knowledge of public higher education financial issues, trends, and strategies at a national, state, and institutional level and requires a deep understanding of higher education policy and accounting, short- and long-term financial planning, strategic and entrepreneurial thinking, internal controls, and a service-oriented attitude. As a member of the CDHE Senior Staff, the position will serve as a subject matter expert with members of the legislature and will lead with a focus on holistic support of the Department.
Supervision Exercised
This position supervises two (2) employees: Budget Director and Controller.
Scope of Responsibilities
This is an executive position responsible for strategy and oversight of all functions of the Budget and Accounting Division for the Department of Higher Education. Positions at this level are responsible for leading the Division, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and customer service, which will include working with staff to maximize the utilization of internal resources and providing budgetary vision and guidance in support of the Department's mission and goals. Positions at this level provide leadership, direction, and supervision for all Divisional activities, including ensuring accountability, providing professional development, building rapport within the Department, and contributing as a member of the Department's Senior Staff. The work's duties require considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.
Description of Job
Job Duties
The duties listed below reflect the different @types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.
Budget:
Support the Executive Director in all budget-related endeavors related to the Departmental and institutional higher education budget in Colorado, including preparing the Executive Director for Governor's Office budget briefings and legislative budget testimony
Review all budget related materials-including written requests and documents submitted to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education
Develop strategy and lead engagement approaches with institutional CFOs
Oversee implementation of all finance and budget related legislation within the Department
Accounting:
Oversee the preparation of the annual internal budget, obtain organizational needs, obtain consensus on priorities,?and translate the consensus into a financial plan for the Department and each Division
Support successful implementation of month-end and year-end close process, including utilizing and analyzing state accounting system reports, reviewing required financial reports and exhibits, and ensuring the general ledger is properly balanced
Ensure the implementation of and adherence to sound financial controls, policies, and practices, including state and federal fiscal rules and regulations
Develop and maintain procedures that integrate business and strategic planning into the annual internal budget process
Develop and lead strategies for Divisional delivery of monthly, departmental internal budget updates to the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director
Fiscal Policy:
Advise the Colorado Commission on Higher Education on overall finance trends in higher education and the state
Oversee Colorado's performance-based funding allocation model and make any necessary revisions in coordination with budget team and data team staff updates data
Serve as the content expert on the Colorado higher education funding allocation model
Advise the Department and the OSPB on fiscal policy development
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in accounting, finance, economics, public policy, business administration, higher education, management or closely related field
Substitution: Four (4) years of experience in a related position can replace the education requirement of a bachelor's degree
Experience:
Seven (7) plus years of progressive leadership and direct staff management, including experience leading multiple functional teams
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial administration, including at least two of the following areas: developing and managing a budget; strategic financial planning; and forecasting; developing standards and procedures; or meeting federal reporting requirements
Two (2) years of experience with a legislative budget process, including finance policy development, preparing budgeting requests, submitting responses to the legislature, analyzing the fiscal impact of legislation, and finance policy implementation
Experience in public sector contract management, budget, and governmental financial management, including the development, preparation, and execution of multimillion-dollar budgets
Extensive experience developing relationships with constituents, including state agencies and higher education institutions
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Colorado driver's license and compliance with all requirements for driving a state vehicle are required throughout the term of employment
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree from an accredited university or college in business or public administration, finance, or accounting
Licenses and Certifications:
Certified Public Accountant license
Experience:
Experience as a CFO or equivalent, for another Colorado state agency, a higher education state agency in another state, or at an institution of higher education
Experience working with higher education institution financial issues
Experience working within Colorado's higher education landscape, including the statutory authority, policies, and standards of the Department
Experience with State of Colorado fiscal and procurement rules, including experience with State accounting and procurement systems
Knowledge of:
Colorado's budget and legislative processes, state finances, administration and allocation of funds, budget planning, and management
Advanced office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Teams)
State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines, including state accounting and procurement systems
Federal and private grant funding and regulations
Outcomes-based funding or institutional funding formulas
Ability to:
Advance complex policy and finance issues through effective relationship building, understanding, and communication with partners
Monitor work activity to increase efficiency and improve the effectiveness and productivity of the budget and accounting teams
Mentor, develop, and motivate staff and encourage strong performance
Work effectively in both independent and team situations
Establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Use consensus building skills to effectively manage constituencies with competing interests
Evaluate complex information and take initiative in collaborative problem solving, especially related to fiscal conditions, budget operations, and oversight
Communicate effectively and present informative findings, both written and verbally, in a complex political environment
Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy
Manage sensitive issues and confidential information
Apply time management skills to prioritize work across multiple high-priority responsibilities
Supplemental Information
Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)
The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time
Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings
Occasionally may push or pull an object
Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone
If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires toHR@dhe.state.co.us
Typical Working Conditions
The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.
The position may require periodic in-state and out-of-state travel requiring occasional overnight stays. The position requires the ability to travel independently through the state including overnight stays.
Notice
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel maybe required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.
Notice: The official version of this job description is maintained by the Human Resources Office. This document may not reflect the most current updates in real time.
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
To move forward in the hiring process, you must upload a copy of your cover letter and resume. Have you uploaded your resume and cover letter?
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02
I understand the condition of employment means I must be a resident of Colorado, I attest to this condition.
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Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
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