Director of Technology Business Operations (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Technology Business Operations leads the technology operations function for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). The role partners closely with the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to manage technology governance, policy development, cybersecurity compliance, and operational support across the agency. The Director oversees technology issue resolution, maintains IT governance and audit processes, manages agency tools such as SharePoint and shared inboxes, and ensures staff have the systems and support needed to serve families effectively. The position supervises a team responsible for technology operations and helps align technology practices with IDEC’s mission, compliance requirements, and operational goals. It is a full-line supervisor role and includes additional duties as assigned. Subject to management approval of the Deputy Chief Operations Officer, the Director plans, develops, and implements methods, systems, and procedures to monitor and implement IT governance supporting audit, cybersecurity, and general compliance, following approval by the COO, Secretaries, and agency leadership. The role focuses on enabling IDEC staff to administer programs for families with young children through effective technology support services. It also works with DoIT as an Agency Technology Services Requestor to facilitate the creation of technology tools and support and maintain them after creation. The position is a four-year term appointment that may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Human Services’s discretion, and is subject to a probationary period. The role is based in Chicago or Springfield, Illinois, with a hybrid schedule of two to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. Work hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the schedule mutually agreed upon with the supervisor during onboarding. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends, and travel, including overnight stays, may be required.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.
At least four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in contract management, procurement support, fiscal oversight, or program administration in a public or business organization; experience supporting human services or early childhood program functions is preferred.
Ability to pass an Illinois State Police criminal history check.
Ability to pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check.
Ability to use and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone and laptop.
Ability to travel for work, including overnight stays as appropriate.
Appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Ability to work overtime when requested or required, potentially including evenings and weekends.
Ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings relevant to the job duties.
Engagement with Business Enterprise Program contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP program and Fair Contracting Task Force.
Compliance with applicable revolving door restrictions and required Statements of Economic Interest filings.

Nice To Haves

Four years of professional experience leading enterprise-level technology user experiences or serving as a business owner for major technology systems, including setting strategic plans and processes, proposing direction, and guiding resource allocation across divisions.
Four years of professional experience coordinating IT services and processing internal helpdesk tickets for a public or private organization.
Four years of professional experience managing organization-wide technology process initiatives, including communication and training plans, stakeholder readiness assessments, and post-implementation adoption measurement.
Three years of professional experience defining operational workflows for large-scale technology applications and partnering with IT, procurement, and vendor teams to inform system development and procurement decisions.
Three years of professional experience developing and leading stakeholder engagement strategies for cross-functional groups, drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and translating business process changes into communication and training materials.
Three years of professional experience establishing or maintaining technology governance structures, including documentation management, risk and compliance coordination, and ensuring systems align with legal, privacy, and audit requirements.

Responsibilities

Lead the technology operations function for IDEC and supervise a team responsible for technology operations.
Partner with DoIT to manage technology governance, policy development, cybersecurity compliance, and agency operational support.
Oversee technology issue resolution and maintain IT governance and audit processes.
Manage agency tools, including SharePoint and shared inboxes.
Plan, develop, and implement methods, systems, and procedures to monitor and implement IT governance supporting audit, cybersecurity, and general compliance, subject to required approvals.
Enable IDEC staff to obtain technology support and systems needed to administer programs for families with young children.
Work with DoIT as an Agency Technology Services Requestor to facilitate creation of technology tools and support and maintain those tools.
Align technology practices with IDEC’s mission, compliance requirements, and operational goals.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the position as assigned.