Chief Financial Officer

Description Of Job

This position is located within the Administration Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and serves as part of the Department’s enterprise financial leadership structure. The work unit provides enterprise accounting, budget development and management, fiscal policy oversight, and financial reporting services that support CDPHE’s statewide public health and environmental protection mission.

The unit is responsible for delivering the Department’s core financial operations, including general ledger accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and timekeeping oversight, cost allocation, grants financial management, and the enforcement of applicable fiscal laws, policies, and standards. These functions ensure accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliant stewardship of state and federal funds.

The work unit also leads the Department’s annual budget development and implementation activities, including coordination with the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), the Legislative Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and Legislative Council. Responsibilities include managing the Department’s annual budget request process, overseeing budget execution, supporting fiscal decision‑making across divisions, and providing centralized financial services and reporting.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide executive leadership over the department’s financial operations and to serve as a trusted fiscal advisor to the Executive Director and Senior Executive Team. The department’s $887M budget is a complex funding mix of federal grants, fee‑based cash funds, and general fund.

The CFO is responsible for the strategic oversight and integration of departmental financial functions, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, grants management, and internal controls. This role ensures sound stewardship of public funds, compliance with state and federal requirements, and the delivery of accurate, timely, and decision‑ready financial information to support executive leadership and policy decisions.

As a member of the Senior Executive Team, the CFO plays a central role in shaping the department’s fiscal strategy and long‑term sustainability. The position oversees the department’s annual budget development and execution process on behalf of the Executive Director and represents CDPHE on fiscal matters with the Governor’s Office, Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Joint Budget Committee, Office of the State Controller, federal agencies, and auditors.

• Providing enterprise‑wide fiscal leadership and financial risk management across all divisions.
• Overseeing accounting, budget, payroll, grants compliance, and financial reporting functions.
• Leading the department’s annual budget request, execution, and legislative support processes.
• Ensuring strong internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Advising executive leadership on fiscal strategy, risk, and long‑range planning.
• Driving continuous improvement in fiscal processes, systems, and data integrity.
• Supervising senior financial managers and building a cohesive, high‑performing fiscal organization.

• A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Five plus (5) years of progressively responsible experience in executive‑level leadership financial management, budgeting, accounting, or fiscal policy within a large and fiscally complex organization.

• Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, public policy or related field.
• One or more of the following:
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
  • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
  • Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, accounting, or fiscal policy within a large and complex organization.
• Five (5) years of…