Director, Office of Strategic Policy, Innovation and Compliance

Maryland Department of General Services

Director, Office of Strategic Policy, Innovation and Compliance

(Designated Administrative Manager Senior II)

Position is Open Until Filled

Salary Range: Grade 24, $120,000 - $155,000 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Location: Baltimore City, Maryland (full time / hybrid opportunity)

This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority (“at-will”).

The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) supports State and local government agencies, as well as local non-profit organizations and the citizens of Maryland, by providing facilities management, real estate and surplus property services, as well as security and law enforcement for State buildings. DGS is also responsible for a full spectrum of facilities engineering, design and construction services, almost $1 billion in annual contract administration, and overseeing the State procurement process.

Here at DGS, we truly Do Great Service… Consider joining our team!

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The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) is looking to hire a talented and experienced leader to serve as the Director for the Office of Strategic Policy, Innovation and Compliance.This position will serve as the chief policy advisor and overseer to senior and executive leadership within the Maryland Department of General Services, and will lead and oversee the development, standardization, and management of departmental policies across the entire agency. In recognition of the cross-cutting nature of the DGS mission, the Director will also lead efforts to standardize DGS policies for engagement with sister agencies. This role is critical in establishing a structured approach to policy creation, ensuring consistency across divisions, and fostering a culture of informed decision-making. The Director will drive overarching internal and external policy objectives as a key contributor to the agency's strategic plan. As a trusted partner, the Director will work closely with leadership across various divisions to provide guidance on policy matters, ensure compliance with best practices and regulations, and actively lead efforts to draft and refine policies. The Director will also oversee the Performance Management & Innovation unit as well as the Compliance & Auditing unit for the Department within DGS’ Office of the Secretary.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory Support:

• Collaborate with leaders across all divisions to assess policy needs and provide strategic guidance.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to advise on policy creation, updates, and implementation.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions to ensure policies align with operational priorities, the agency plan, and pertinent regulations.

Policy Research, Drafting, and Standardization:

• Conduct thorough research on relevant policy areas and develop comprehensive policy documents.
• Provide guidance and direction on policy creation based on a professional opinion and interpretation of research conducted.
• Draft new policies and update existing ones to reflect evolving best practices and organizational needs. Analyze trends, data, and feedback to inform policy recommendations.
• Establish a structured framework for policy development, review, approval and implementation across the department.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of policies with departmental objectives and industry best practices. Develop and implement a centralized tracking system for tracking and managing policies.

External Policy Standardization:

• Establish and implement policies in support of DGS relationships with sister agencies.
• Maintain inventory of policies related to DGS external partnerships and orchestrate periodic revisions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Advise senior leaders on metrics and strategic realignments to ensure continued resilience.
• Establish a review schedule to ensure policies remain current and relevant.

Coaching and Training:

• Provide direct coaching and training to staff and leaders involved in policy development.
• Develop guidelines, toolkits, and templates to streamline policy drafting and approval processes.
• Conduct workshops and training sessions to enhance policy literacy across the department.

Performance Management & Innovation:

• Oversee the Agency’s Performance Management & Innovation Unit, led by the Chief of Performance & Innovation.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Performance & Innovation, implement mechanisms to evaluate policy effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain a repository of best practices and lessons learned to inform future policy initiatives.

Compliance & Auditing:

• Oversee the Agency’s Compliance & Auditing unit, led by the Chief Compliance Officer.

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Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Government, Business Administration, Law, or a related field required. Master’s degree in a related field, MBA or JD preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public policy, strategic planning, organizational governance, performance management, or related field.
• At least three (3) years of management / leadership experience overseeing professional staff and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience developing, interpreting, implementing, and standardizing organizational policies and procedures within a complex organization.
• Experience conducting policy research, analysis, and drafting policy documents, guidance materials, and operational frameworks, to include experience advising executive leadership on policy, compliance, strategic initiatives, organizational performance and operational risk.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, training materials, and policy guidance documents.
• Proficiency with data analysis, performance metrics, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong background in data analysis and performance metrics to drive decision-making and improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Lean, Six Sigma) to drive process improvement and innovation. Certification or formal training in compliance, auditing, project management, Lean/Six Sigma, change management, or performance management preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a history of working effectively with multiple stakeholders across various departments or sectors.

Benefits:

The State of Maryland offers a generous benefits package that includes:

• Tuition reimbursement for those who qualify
• Free mass transit in Baltimore & Annapolis
• Generous paid leave that increases with years of service
• Paid holidays
• Health coverage with low out-of-pocket costs
• Employee & employer contributory pension plan

Click on the link below for more information.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

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TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should e-mail a resume and cover letter to dgs.resumes@maryland.gov – include “Director of Strategic Policy” in the subject line of the e-mail.

For questions, call our HR Office at 410-767-4985.

For more information about DGS, please visit: https://dgs.maryland.gov/.

DGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer