Chief Human Resources Officer

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $175,000 - $195,000 annually. Please note that there is career salary growth beyond this starting range for the successful candidate. This recruitment will remain open until filled and the hiring manager may make a hiring decision at any time.

Hybrid:
Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position that allows teleworking. However, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs frequently.

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.

Our core values – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Integrity (DEIB), Innovation, Collaboration and Operational Excellence – speak to you because they’re as human-centered as you are. You bring a high degree of humility and self-awareness to each task you tackle.

You understand how to create and lead high-performing teams that respect their fellow teammates and peers throughout the organization. You can also lead through ambiguity and be called on to deliver in nuanced and complex environments. You are a strong and efficient collaborator who understands how to maintain key relationships when it’s not possible to satisfy all parties. A compelling facilitative leader, you can influence and inspire others — even those who you don’t have direct authority over.

You can act quickly with time-sensitive and demanding work and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You know when to dive deeply into strategy, and when to roll up your sleeves to get the job done.

You will use creativity and curiosity to solve problems so that our services are effective and efficient for all state organizations. You can demonstrate how you’ve built strong and productive relationships with labor organizations.

You’ll also be the go-to person for helping the state navigate complex and often competing interests—from labor unions to legislators, from agency heads to advocacy groups. That means thinking strategically, communicating clearly, and acting with integrity.

We're looking for a leader who sees human resources as more than just policies and processes—it’s about people, equity, and impact. If you’re someone who thrives on solving tough problems, believes in the power of public service, and wants to leave a legacy of innovation—we want to hear from you.

As our next Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), you’ll guide the strategic direction of human resources for the entire state, ensuring the systems we build serve both our agencies and the communities we support.

This is a big role with a big purpose. As the state’s top HR official, you will set the overall direction for statewide human resource systems and policies that align with our Governor’s goals. This includes overseeing the civil service system, managing classification and compensation structures, guiding labor relations and collective bargaining strategy, and using workforce analytics to inform decisions. In addition, you will serve as a key advisor to the Governor, OFM Director and Cabinet on matters affecting state employees, both represented and non-represented, across civil service and exempt positions.

• You will lead the administration of the Washington General Service, Washington Management Service, Exempt Management Service, and the State Officials Salary Administration (SOSA) program. Your role includes resolving personnel issues, making final determinations on appeals, and ensuring agency compliance with civil service rules and state policies.
• As a steward of data-informed decision-making, you’ll lead efforts to integrate and modernize HR systems, including overseeing…