Step into a career with Crow Wing County and discover the difference of working in a place where passion meets purpose.
The Director of Administrative Services is a senior leadership position with responsibility for the oversight of several internal service operations. Additionally, the administrative services director has a shared responsibility, along with other department leaders, for a broader organizational management role, participating in the development and execution of organizational vision, strategy and goals with respect to programs, people and resources.
The position has accountability for a number of distinct functions encompassing finance, technology, facilities and elections. Within each of these areas, the incumbent is accountable for establishing the vision and strategy to support current and long-term operational goals. The position has countywide accountability for managing competing priorities for operational, capital and human resources, requiring expert collaboration, problem solving and diplomacy.
From a financial management perspective, the positon oversees a business unit accountable for preparing and managing the county's annual operating budget, the capital improvement plan, the investment and treasury functions and all accounting and payroll systems. Key accountabilities include promoting and sustaining a strong fiscal position for the county through the establishment of sound financial policies and controls, insightful fiscal analysis, and effective accounting practices.
From a technology management perspective, the positon oversees a business unit accountable for developing technology solutions that support the advancement of organizational priorities, including new and emerging technologies as well as maximizing the utilization and application of all current technology. Key accountabilities include technology planning, project management, staff leadership and business analysis/strategy development. The director will have a key role in communicating with department leaders throughout the organization in an effort to identify technology solutions that improve productivity and workplace efficiency.
From a facilities management perspective, the positon oversees a business unit accountable for facilities management including space management, plant management, energy management, structural maintenance, construction management, janitorial care, landscape maintenance, campus security and parking programs. The director has a key role in leading the strategic planning and management of county facilities.
From an elections management perspective, the positon oversees a business unit accountable for management and oversight of federal, state, county and local election processes. The director serves as the subject matter expert and is accountable for oversight and ensuring compliance with all federal, state and local regulations governing elections.
With respect to the business leadership role, the incumbent is required to be well versed in county vision and strategy as well as current and future issues and trends impacting or potentially influencing county operations and performance. Further, the incumbent is required to actively participate in discussions and ultimately decisions affecting county performance, whether financial, operational, administrative, employee or customer oriented.
- Financial Operations – Provide strategic and administrative oversite to ensure the effective execution and achievement of countywide financial performance and management objectives.
- Technology Operations – Provide strategic and administrative oversite to ensure the effective execution and achievement of countywide technology performance and management objectives.
- Facility Operations – Provide strategic and administrative oversite to ensure the effective execution and achievement of countywide facility performance and management objectives.
- Election Operations – Provide strategic and administrative oversite to ensure the effective execution and achievement of federal, state, county and local election requirements.
- Leadership – Contribute to the development of effective business plans both within and outside of the department by offering innovative solutions in collaboration with colleagues on current and long-range business issues.
- Project Management – Prioritize and manage administrative services projects and timetables to effectively complete the highest leverage projects while managing the resource commitments.
- Management – Monitor all projects and service offerings to ensure productivity, quality and service standards are consistently achieved.
- Organizational Development – Develop effective staffing models for assigned area, ensuring that appropriate skill levels and coverage exists to produce meaningful work products in a professional and timely manner to successfully service the needs of the organization.
- Technical Proficiency – Serve as the departmental expert in areas relating to legal, governmental, technological and procedural developments within assigned functional areas, ensuring that the organization's practices are in compliance with and demonstrate leadership in these areas to maximize organizational effectiveness.
- Coaching and Development – Provide performance and career development counseling for all staff members to maximize employee performance and ensure ongoing succession plans exist for key positions in the department.
- Product Selection – Participate with leadership team in the review and selection of the most effective solutions to service the needs of the organization, giving appropriate consideration to user requirements, cost effectiveness, integration and long-term sustainability.
- Negotiations – Oversee the negotiation of contracts for equipment purchases, software applications, and service and maintenance agreements to maximize cost-effectiveness, quality and service.
- Financial – Oversee the development department budgets and management of department expenses, in a manner that reflects alignment with organizational goals and achieves expected outcomes.
- Employee Relations – Maintain a favorable employee relations climate for all assigned staff members by ensuring that an open flow of communication exists for effective supervision and problem resolution.
- Training – Assure appropriate training resources are provided to maximize staff productivity and the effective utilization of technology and county resources.
- Special Projects and Other – Perform all other related assignments as required, including special project assignments, in a professional manner.
- Organizational Leadership: - Participate in the development and execution of decisions impacting the organization as a whole, maintaining knowledge and understanding of organizational performance, key initiatives, and developments to successfully contribute to team decisions and ensure the achievement of short and long-term goals.
- Special Projects and Other: Perform all other related assignments as required, including special project assignments, in a professional manner.
- Bachelors Degree in Business Management or related field or equivalent knowledge gained through experience.
- Ten or more years of experience within related technical/functional work area, including five years of supervisory/management experience in progressive degrees of difficulty.
- Public Sector experience
- Effective leadership skills including team leadership experience, coaching and development skills
- Personal and interpersonal skills
- Project management and decision making skills
- Business acumen
- Financial reasoning
- Strategic agility
- Long range planning skills