Chief Administrator

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Chief Administrator is the administrative and operational leader of the Minnesota Board of Public Defense, overseeing the administrative, financial, human resources, and operational functions that support public defense services statewide. Working with the State Public Defender, Chief Public Defenders, managing attorneys, and other leaders, the Chief Administrator translates Board priorities into effective policies, procedures, and practices while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources. The position requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and political and organizational awareness to balance statewide responsibilities with the operational needs of individual public defender offices. The Chief Administrator provides executive leadership for the Administrative Services Office and oversees statewide operations, Board governance and support, budgeting and financial management, human resources and labor relations, information technology, legislative and government relations, policy, compliance, and accountability.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, human resources, finance, organizational leadership, or a related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in executive leadership or public-sector management, including oversight of multiple administrative functions.
Considerable experience developing and administering large budgets and managing public resources.
Considerable experience supervising managers and professional staff.
Considerable experience with labor relations, collective bargaining, human resources, and employee relations.
Strong executive leadership and organizational management skills.
Excellent financial management and strategic budgeting abilities.
Knowledge of public-sector administration, governmental operations, employment practices, and labor relations, including collective bargaining.
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate policies and organizational procedures.
Strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities, including identifying organizational weaknesses and implementing meaningful improvements.
Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in complex situations.
Ability to build effective working relationships with diverse groups of employees and stakeholders.
Commitment to public service, accountability, and the mission of public defense.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration or finance.
Experience working within government agencies or other complex public-sector organizations.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee the operations of the Administrative Services Office, providing leadership and supervision to department directors and staff.
Establish organizational priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
Ensure administrative services, systems, and standards support district and appellate public defender offices, balancing statewide consistency with individual office needs.
Work with the State Public Defender, Chief District Public Defenders, Chief Appellate Defender, and managing attorneys to identify needs and resolve operational challenges.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives to improve statewide administrative operations.
Evaluate staffing, facilities, equipment, and resource needs.
Oversee contracts, procurement, facilities management, records management, and other administrative functions.
Communicate administrative decisions, organizational priorities, and policy changes throughout the organization.
Attend all Minnesota Board of Public Defense meetings as a nonvoting member.
Ensure implementation and enforcement of Board resolutions, rules, regulations, and orders.
Provide the Board and State Public Defender with plans, studies, reports, and recommendations concerning administration of the public defense system.
Recommend policies, procedures, and rules for effective and efficient Board operations.
Oversee development, preparation, and administration of the statewide public defense budget, including financial forecasts and long-term budget strategies.
Keep the Board informed about the organization's financial condition.
Monitor expenditures, appropriations, and available resources, and recommend resource allocation strategies in response to changing operational needs.
Oversee accounting, purchasing, payroll, financial reporting, and internal financial controls.
Ensure compliance with state financial policies, legislative appropriations, and fiscal requirements, and oversee responses to audits and financial reviews.
Provide executive oversight of statewide human resources, including recruitment, retention, classification, compensation, leave administration, and workforce planning.
Ensure consistent and equitable application of personnel policies and employment practices.
Lead or oversee collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of the Board and maintain effective relationships with labor organizations and employee representatives.
Address complex personnel matters and advise management on employee relations.
Promote a workplace culture that values employee development, accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Provide executive oversight of statewide information technology operations, working with the Information Systems Director to set priorities and address statewide technology needs.
Ensure technology systems meet public defender offices' operational and security needs, including data security, business continuity, and disaster recovery planning.
Work with the Board and State Public Defender on legislative budget requests and administrative initiatives.
Monitor proposed legislation affecting the Board's administrative and operational responsibilities.
Serve as a liaison with the Legislature, Minnesota Management and Budget, state agencies, and other governmental entities, representing the Board's administrative interests.
Develop, recommend, and implement administrative policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and employment requirements.
Establish internal controls, identify operational risks, and monitor administrative performance to drive improvements.