Chief Trust Finance Officer

WI Department of Employee Trust Funds; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

WI Department of Employee Trust Funds seeks an experienced leader to serve as Administrator of the Division of Finance and ETF's Chief Trust Finance Officer. The role oversees public sector multi-employer benefit programs and the Wisconsin Retirement System, guiding a team of 30+ staff.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement in Madison, with a starting salary up to $162,240 and a CPA license premium of $2,080 per year. Strong supervision and pension knowledge are desired.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of formal supervisory experience in a financial environment.
• Driving organization-wide strategic and operational financial vision, strategy, policy, and compliance.
• Implementing, monitoring, or auditing internal controls in a financial environment.
• GAAP knowledge and related accounting standards experience.
• Experience with an ERP system to record, analyze, or audit financial transactions.
• Developing and implementing financial policies and procedures.
• Collecting, analyzing, and presenting data to inform decision-making.
• Advancing continuous improvement and change in an organization.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct financial activities for public sector multi-employer benefit programs and the Wisconsin Retirement System.
• Provide vision and leadership to the Division of Trust Finance and manage 30+ staff.
• Collaborate with external parties such as the Legislative Audit Bureau and consulting actuaries.
• Support strategic transformation and technology modernization to improve customer engagement.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP

Financial analysis

Internal controls

ERP systems

Policy development

Education

CPA license

Job description

Are you an experienced financial leader looking for an opportunity to work with a retirement system that has established itself as a model public pension system and one of the best funded in the country?

What We're Looking For:

The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) is seeking an experienced leader with at least 5 years of formal supervisory experience in a financial environment to serve as Administrator of the Division of Finance and ETF's Chief Trust Finance Officer. A current Certified Public Accountant license and ten or more years of experience in professional accounting, auditing, economics or financial analysis is preferred.

What We Offer:

This is an excellent opportunity to develop a meaningful and rewarding career with ETF. Our employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package, including generous paid time off so you can truly have work/life balance! If you have student loans and work full time in a public service job (like this one!) you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Who We Are:

The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) manages retirement, insurance, and other benefit programs for 650,000+ state and local government employees and retirees of the WRS. Our members are at the center of everything we do, and we're committed to enhancing their well-being by delivering expert guidance, strong, sustainable benefit programs, and an exceptional customer experience. We're looking for talented people who are active learners that build strong collaborative customer relationships (whether internal or external) and recognize the value different perspectives and experiences bring to our organization.

Where We're Located:

ETF is located in the award-winning city of Madison. Located just off University and Sheboygan Avenues, at 4822 Madison Yards Way, within walking distance to several parks, restaurants, and Hilldale Shopping Center.

Responsibilities

As the Chief Trust Finance Officer (CTFO), this position serves as the Administrator of the Division of Trust Finance (DTF) and is responsible for the planning and direction of financial activities related to public sector multi-employer benefit programs, policies, objectives, and initiatives including the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and other programs impacting over 700,000 individual members, and over 1,600 state and local units of government in Wisconsin. This position provides vision and leadership to the Division of over 30 staff, providing general direction to managers and staff as well as collaborating with other key stakeholders within the Department. The CTFO is the primary contact for external parties such as the Legislative Audit Bureau and consulting actuaries and serves as a member of the Department’s Strategic Council on guiding the strategic transformation and technology modernization to accelerate the ability to engage and serve customers as they prefer. The position also serves on the Department’s Portfolio Committee, helping prioritize resources toward the Department’s highest operational and strategic priorities.

Salary Information

This position has a starting annual salary up to $162,240, plus excellent benefits. In addition, there is $1.00 per hour (or $2,080 annually) added to your salary if you hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. Pay for current and new state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of appointment.

ETF offers hybrid remote/office work. If interested in hybrid remote/office work, this can be discussed in more detail during the interview process. The selected employee(s) must report to ETF’s office on the first day of employment. In addition, the employee may need to report to ETF on short notice as operational needs require. All employees are expected to be headquartered and work within the state of Wisconsin.

ETF does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States. Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the duties required of the position.

A 2-year Career Executive trial period or 1-year probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Minimally Qualified candidates will have experience in all of the following:

• At least 5 years of formal supervisory experience, in a financial environment, performing duties such as recruitment, evaluating staff performance, assigning workload/setting priorities, coaching/developing staff, etc.
• Driving organization-wide strategic and operational financial vision, strategy, policy, and compliance.
• Implementing, monitoring, or auditing internal controls in a financial environment.
• Applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), rules, and theories (e.g., implementation of accounting standards, preparing or auditing financial statements or annual comprehensive financial report)
• Experience using an Enterprise Resource Planning system or other large accounting system to record, analyze, or audit financial transactions.
• Developing and implementing financial policies and procedures.
• Collecting, analyzing, and presenting data to inform and support decision-making.
• Advancing continuous improvement, and shepherding change in an organization.

In addition, Highly Qualified candidates will also have a Certified Public Accountant license as well as experience with some of the following:

• Preparing and presenting financial data to the highest level of leadership or governing boards to inform and support decision-making.
• Collaborating with internal business partners to identify and assess organizational risks and the effectiveness of internal controls within a risk management framework.
• Experience with actuarial valuations and studies of pension funds or insurance plans (e.g., developing or reviewing financial models used in actuarial valuations, providing or reviewing data that are inputs into valuation, involvement in producing or reviewing reports, communicating results).
• Experience applying Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles.
• Experience with government pension or other employee benefit plans.

Deadline to Apply

Application materials are due by 11:59 pm on September 14, 2026.