Position Description
Harris County Universal Services (HCUS) is the enterprise service provider for Harris County, supporting over 5.2 million residents through technology, public safety systems, 311 services, fleet services, and records management.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the Department’s principal executive leader for financial strategy, fiscal governance, and stewardship of public funds. Reporting directly to the Executive Director/CIO, the CFO provides executive financial counsel, long-range planning, and decision support to ensure fiscal integrity, operational continuity, and mission delivery.
This role holds enterprise-wide accountability for financial governance, including budgeting, forecasting, audit readiness, financial risk management, and executive reporting. The CFO establishes and enforces controls to ensure transparency, compliance, and fiscal discipline while overseeing third-party financial risk, vendor governance, and contractual compliance across all Department operations.
Job Responsibilities:
- Executive Financial Leadership: Serves as HCUS’s chief fiduciary authority and principal financial advisor to the Executive Director, accountable for financial strategy and stewardship of public funds.
- Strategic Financial Planning: Directs department-wide budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning to ensure fiscal sustainability and alignment with County priorities.
- Financial Governance & Controls: Establishes and enforces financial policies, internal controls, and compliance frameworks, including procurement strategy, contract lifecycle management, and fleet financial oversight.
- Financial Risk Management: Leads enterprise financial risk identification, mitigation, and compliance assurance, including audit readiness and remediation of findings.
- Third-Party Oversight: Oversees vendor financial performance, contract compliance, and third-party financial exposure, ensuring alignment with Department priorities and risk tolerance.
- Executive Decision Authority: Exercises authority over high-risk and high-value financial decisions, including approvals, renewals, and contract modifications.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Represents HCUS with County entities (OMB, County Auditor, Purchasing) and external auditors, providing executive-level reporting and guidance to senior leadership and elected officials.
- Organizational Leadership: Provides leadership to a multidisciplinary team, driving accountability, performance outcomes, and fiscal compliance across the Department.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net .
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
- MBA or MA in Finance or Economics.
Experience:
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Five (5) years of senior leadership experience overseeing department-wide financial operations and managing managerial-level staff
Required certification:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Building a high-performance finance team fostering an efficient, accountable department
- Executive-level knowledge of governmental finance, budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal governance
- Strategic thinking, data-driven forecasting and decision-making
- Expertise in financial risk management, internal controls, and audit readiness
- Knowledge of GAAP/GASB standards and public-sector financial compliance requirements
- Strong understanding of procurement, contract law, indemnification, and financial controls
- Ability to manage third-party financial risk, vendor performance, and regulatory compliance
- Advanced strategic decision-making skills, including ROI and cost analysis
- Exceptional communication and executive presence with senior leadership and stakeholders
- Strong leadership skills with a focus on accountability and integrity
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Direct Reports: Director of Budget, Director of Business Operations, Assistant Director of Third-Party Risk Compliance
- Oversees approximately 3 direct and 20 indirect staff
- Responsible for setting goals, managing budgets, assigning work, and evaluating performance
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but
ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
Location:
- 406 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77002
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
