Behavioral Health Chief Financial Officer

Ventura County Behavioral Health and the Position Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) Department, a division of the County of Ventura Health Care Agency (HCA), provides essential mental health and substance use treatment services to individuals and families throughout Ventura County and plays a critical role in promoting community wellness and crisis response. VCBH works alongside award‑winning hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, and public health services to deliver accessible, compassionate, and high‑quality care. VCBH also functions as the county Behavioral Health Plan (BHP), a specialty Medi‑Cal managed‑care plan, designated by the California Department of Health Care Services. Under the direction of the Behavioral Health Director, the Chief Financial Officer provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of all financial operations within VCBH, including financial oversight related to the BHP. The position ensures the financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and long‑term fiscal sustainability of BHP services throughout Ventura County by overseeing accounting, auditing, budgeting, risk management, revenue maximization, cost allocation, forecasting, and regulatory reporting, including compliance with local, State, and Federal requirements such as Medi‑Cal/Medicaid. With one direct report – the Administrative & Financial Operations Chief – and oversight of an approximate $350 million budget, the Chief Financial Officer supports VCBH's mission through sound financial leadership, strategic vision, operational efficiency, and long‑range planning. The role partners closely with VCBH and HCA executive leadership to align financial strategy with agency and department goals, support quality assurance and compliance within the BHP, and provide high‑level financial analysis and recommendations that strengthen organizational performance, inform strategic decisions, and advance recovery‑focused services for the communities served. Key Responsibilities Financial Strategy and Long‑Term Sustainability – Lead multi‑year financial planning efforts that align with policy changes, reimbursement trends, and cost pressures to ensure long‑term financial resilience across the integrated health system. Financial Modernization and Advancement – Strengthen cost accounting capabilities and advance the modernization of financial and operational systems to improve reporting precision, transparency, and executive decision support. Operational Transparency and Performance Accountability – Implement robust reporting frameworks that provide actionable insights at the service‑line and program level while promoting shared ownership of financial performance across divisions. Leadership and Development – Lead, mentor, and develop a team of finance professionals, reinforcing alignment, accountability, and executive‑level financial stewardship throughout the organization. County and Executive Partnership – Serve as a trusted financial advisor within County governance structures by strengthening relationships with executive leadership and governing bodies and clearly communicating complex financial strategies in a public‑sector environment. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field and five (5) years of professional accounting, auditing, or financial management experience, including supervisory/management responsibilities over unit/division operations. Desired: Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, health care services administration, or a related field. Experience with program development, project management, and/or financial administration in a hospital or other health care environment. Demonstrated ability to lead complex financial operations in a highly regulated public healthcare or human services environment. Experience in financial planning, fiscal oversight, auditing, compliance, budgeting, and reporting, particularly within a public‑sector environment. Leadership and collaboration experience to increase organizational efficiency and service quality. Experience developing and mentoring future leaders. Payroll Classification Assistant Chief Financial Officer – HCA – E Background Investigation The selected candidate may be subjected to a thorough background investigation, including inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record. The successful candidate may also be subjected to Live Scan fingerprinting. Equal Employment Opportunity The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. #J-18808-Ljbffr