Director of Strategic Initiatives

Job Summary - Why you’ll love this position

You will be joining a Department committed to a culture of TEAMWORK to accomplish our goals together, where we deliver excellence through COLLABORATION with partners and stakeholders, embody ACCOUNTABILITY through trust and professionalism, and embrace WORK-LIFE BALANCE by prioritizing respect, boundaries, and time. While working at DHEWD you will be helping to develop the workforce of the future! Join us as we pursue our vision of “Every Missourian empowered with the skills and education needed for success.”

This position leads the Strategic Initiatives team in partnering with colleges, universities, nonprofits, community organizations, and others across the state to increase the educational attainment and labor force participation rates of Missouri’s working-age population. Some of the team’s initiatives currently underway include (1) conducting a reenrollment campaign for adults who have earned some college credits but not a credential; (2) researching how effectively and efficiently students transfer between institutions in the state; (3) updating existing policies and programs in alignment with best practices; and (4) facilitating knowledge sharing between constituency groups. The Director conducts research into assigned matters and prepares analyses for the Assistant Commissioner and other senior leadership. The position oversees and assists team members with managing projects from conception to completion, including analyzing the impact of initiatives and making improvements as necessary for greater impact and alignment with organizational goals.

Responsibilities - What you’ll do

LOCATION: Harry S. Truman Building, 301 W. High St. Suite 840, Jefferson City, MO 65102

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the job with or without reasonable accommodation after successful onboarding.

• Develop evidence-based initiatives to support institutions and stakeholders in achieving the state’s educational attainment and labor force participation goals
• Partner with higher education institutions to implement projects focused on serving students’ needs for access, success, completion, and transition to the workforce
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support projects and initiatives and perform related grants management
• Utilize project management, process improvement, change management, and continuous improvement principles
• Build project plans; define benchmarks, metrics, and targets for success; and implement in conjunction with partners
• Evaluate the impact of projects and initiatives undertaken and report on outcomes
• Lead a team of project managers and continuous improvement specialists, and supervise, mentor, and coach as needed for the success of all team members
• Respond to inquiries for information in a timely manner
• Draft and review postsecondary policy and/or workforce proposals
• Perform other related work as assigned, or as necessitated by reporting and administrative requireme

Competencies you’ll utilize:

• Anticipate issues and solve before they become problems
• Develop new and innovative projects that will have positive impact on state and department goals
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders/partners; establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental officials, associates, and the public
• Exercise discretion and build trust with colleagues and stakeholders/partners
• Prepare and deliver presentations to small and large audiences in a manner that may be understood by individuals not familiar with educational practices
• Plan, organize, and carry out complex assignments within given deadlines and
• Extensive knowledge of project management, process improvement, change management, and continuous improvement techniques and tools
• Motivate, lead, and manage professional staff
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance

Qualifications - All you need for success

• Beneficial education and/or work-related experience includes technical or professional experience in business, educational leadership, public administration, or closely related field
• Proven leadership skills, including a positive history of working collaborative to establish rapport and credibility among staff and stakeholders
• Preferred experience includes successful and responsible administrative, professional experience in the field of higher education and/or state education department administration

• Training, certification, and/or education in continuous process improvement programs such as Lean Six Sigma as well as completion of Missouri Way, Leadership Academy, and similar programs is beneficial

Job Details - More reasons to love this position

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:

DHEWDHR@dhewd.mo.gov

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.