Chief Financial Officer (Deputy Director)

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Please note\: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

Position Overview

As the Chief Financial Officer, you will report to the Chief Strategy & Financial Planning Officer and play a critical role in defining agency goals and objectives. You will lead the agency’s financial strategy, oversee fiscal operations, monitor local boards through audits, and ensure compliance with all federal and state financial procedures. Your expertise will support hospital services, community funding, and revenue cycle efforts while maintaining strong relationships with legislators, state officials, and other key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership: Direct the agency’s day-to-day financial operations, including budget management, financial reporting, business office operations, revenue cycle, community funding, and fiscal monitoring for hospitals and community services.

Strategic Planning: Assist in defining the agency’s financial goals, developing policies and procedures, and implementing fiscal strategies to support hospital services and Ohio Pharmacy Services.

Legislative & Policy Engagement: Represent the Chief Strategy & Financial Planning Officer in financial management discussions with legislators, elected officials, and state agencies such as the Office of Budget & Management and the Department of Administrative Services. Attend legislative hearings and provide expert financial testimony.

Compliance & Oversight: Ensure adherence to all state and federal financial regulations and policies, mitigating risks and maintaining transparency in financial operations both for the state department and local boards of Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health.

Team Leadership & Development: Supervise assigned staff, establish office goals, and provide professional development to staff to strengthen financial operations.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as a key representative for DBH in discussions with Regional Psychiatric Hospitals (RPHs), community providers, and other mental health and addiction service organizations.

Executive Representation: Act as the Chief Strategy & Financial Planning Officer in their absence and represent the agency in high-level financial meetings and committees.

This position is unclassified pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at or .

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Chief Financial Officer

(Deputy Director)

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)

Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)

Value Driven

Innovative (Yes Before No)

Strong Sense of Urgency

Value Driven

Innovative (Yes Before No)

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Education &/or experience in accounting or finance or other relevant experience as determined by the appointing authority.

Technical Skills: Accounting and Finance, Management, Budgeting, Executive Leadership

Professional Skills: Collaboration, Public Speaking

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.