Chief Financial Officer

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); Lanham (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) seeks a Chief Financial Officer to steer the Department’s financial strategy, capital planning, and risk management across housing, community development, and broadband programs.

The CFO will oversee more than $6 billion in portfolios, coordinate audits, manage forecasting, and ensure timely, transparent financial reporting to leadership, boards, and state authorities.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing finance, public finance, bond programs, or related financial environments.
• Progressive financial leadership in large public-sector or complex organizations.
• Strong GAAP/GASB reporting and audit coordination experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy, capital planning, and risk management for the department.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, and portfolio management for multi-billion-dollar programs.
• Serve as trusted advisor to executive leadership and stakeholders on financial matters.

Skills

Housing finance leadership

Public finance

Capital markets

GAAP / GASB

Financial storytelling

Strategic leadership

Change management

Job description

The Chief Financial Officer serves as the senior financial leader for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, overseeing all financial operations supporting the Department's multi-billion-dollar housing, community development, business lending, broadband, and neighborhood revitalization programs. Reporting directly to the Secretary, the CFO leads financial strategy, portfolio management, capital planning, compliance, forecasting, and risk management efforts that ensure the Department's long-term financial stability and mission success.

The CFO oversees more than $6 billion in bond, mortgage, and investment portfolios while providing strategic financial guidance to executive leadership, supporting bond financing activities, maintaining strong credit ratings, and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. This executive plays a critical role in securing the capital and financial resources necessary to support Maryland communities. The CFO is accountable for all budgeting and accounting functions for the Agency.

Must-Haves:

Housing Finance, Public Finance & Capital Markets Leadership:

Brings significant experience in housing finance, public finance, bond programs, capital markets, structured finance, or related financial environments. Demonstrates a strong understanding of affordable housing finance, municipal finance, debt issuance, portfolio management, and the strategic use of capital to advance organizational goals; 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including budget oversight for large public-sector or complex organizations, GAAP/GASB financial reporting, and audit coordination

Strategic Financial Leadership & Enterprise Perspective:

A strategic and forward-thinking financial executive who can balance operational excellence with long-term planning. Demonstrates the ability to assess financial performance, evaluate risk, support policy and programmatic priorities, and serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership

Executive Presence, Communication & Financial Storytelling:

An exceptional communicator who can translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable information for executive leadership, board members, policymakers, rating agencies, and non-financial stakeholders. Able to build confidence, influence decisions, and drive alignment across the organization

Organizational Leadership, Change Management & Team Development:

A proven leader who can assess organizational capabilities, develop talent, address performance issues, lead through change, and strengthen finance operations. Demonstrates the ability to build high-performing teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Collaborative Relationship Builder & Cross-Functional Leader:

Demonstrates the ability to work effectively across complex organizations, build trust among diverse stakeholders, and break down organizational silos. Skilled at partnering across finance, operations, housing programs, policy teams, and external constituencies to advance enterprise-wide goals

Decisive, Adaptive & Results-Oriented Leadership:

A confident leader who is comfortable operating in complex and evolving environments. Demonstrates sound judgment, makes informed decisions with imperfect information, and effectively balances competing priorities while driving execution and results

GAAP Accounting Controls, Federal Compliance & Systems:

Ability to ensure accurate reporting in accordance with GAAP. Ability to design controls and workflows to prevent fraud and unauthorized transactions; Annual Single Audit (for entities that expend $1 million or more in federal awards annually), and CMIA (Cash Management Improvement Act). Experience with Federal Audits /Reviews for HUD, Treasury, and/or other Federal Agencies; knowledge of Federal payment and reporting systems

Who We Are

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is made up of dedicated employees passionate about serving the people and communities across Maryland. From loan underwriters and community planners to economic developers, asset managers, housing finance professionals, bond specialists, and executives, every member of the DHCD team can see the impact of their work in communities across the state.

What We Do

DHCD serves as the lead place-making entity and Housing Finance Agency for the State of Maryland. By partnering with local governments, nonprofits, developers, businesses, and other private-sector stakeholders, the Department invests in community-led placemaking, housing and small-business development, and infrastructure and broadband deployment to elevate Maryland’s communities into the thriving, revenue-generating centers we know they can and should be.