Deputy Assistant Secretary & Chief Program Officer

State of Maryland • Baltimore City, MD

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

This senior leader will oversee the core day-to-day operations of the Unemployment Insurance Division, with executive responsibility for the administration of UI benefits and employer tax operations. The Deputy is the principal change leader for benefits and tax, accountable for continuous improvement and ensuring consistent execution across core UI functions. The Deputy will lead implementation of key strategic plan priorities for UI operations, including improving the timeliness and quality of benefit payments, reducing backlogs, strengthening call center performance and customer service, and improving the accuracy and effectiveness of employer tax accounting and administration. The Deputy will closely oversee benefits and tax administration to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, performance standards, and program requirements. Drawing on operational experience and performance data, the Deputy will identify systemic challenges and develop recommendations for changes to policies, procedures, directives, technology, and business processes that improve program performance and outcomes.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in senior program leadership, operational oversight, strategic planning, and modernizing complex public or private benefit/tax systems.
• Personnel employed in this classification will have access to federal tax information and must undergo a state and FBI criminal background check as a condition of employment.
• All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (MD Labor/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to MD Labor/DUI as a result of unemployment insurance overpayment/fraud.
• Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the administration of UI Benefits and Tax programs.
• Provides executive leadership to senior managers responsible for claims processing, benefit payment and tax administration.
• Serves as principal change leader for modernizing UI operations, adopting innovative strategies, and partnering with technology, data, and quality units to drive service delivery improvements.
• Ensures compliance with federal/state laws and standards, acts as lead liaison to regulators/funders, and collaborates on policy development.
• Monitors and evaluates the UI Trust Fund health and employer tax compliance to recommend solvency and reporting improvements.
• Builds and sustains a high-performing, collaborative leadership team and fosters a culture of accountability and public service excellence.

Benefits

• Flexible hours and hybrid teleworking
• Paid holidays 12-13 per year
• Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave)
• State Pension ("defined benefit" plan)
• Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457)
• Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions, and free preventative health services
• Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare
• State Employees Credit Union

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive