Strategy & Innovation Director

Buncombe County Government•Asheville, NC

2d•$114,981 - $164,376•Hybrid

About The Position

Buncombe County is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Strategy and Innovation Director to direct the activities and productivity of the Strategy and Innovation Department and support all County departments. The role oversees strategic planning, evaluation, data and program analysis, business planning, process improvement, innovation, facilitation, access to performance data, development of performance metrics, and enterprise-level project management to ensure alignment with the County’s vision and strategic plan. The department has nine employees, including the Director, and this position oversees three Strategic Policy and Analysis Managers. The Director provides leadership and supervision to department staff, coordinates fiscal and personnel activities, manages the department operating budget, and advises managers and staff on organizational performance, data collection, and procedural changes. The role also oversees County-wide strategic and departmental business planning, policy management, enterprise project management, performance measurement, data tools and platforms, and innovation training. Key projects include oversight of the strategic plan and departmental business plans; community survey contract management and analysis; development and implementation of the Mindworks innovation program; data collection and analysis for departmental projects; and presenting data and recommendations to audiences throughout the organization. The position must be performed on-site during onboarding and acclimation. After six months of employment, the position will be evaluated for a hybrid work arrangement. The employee must reside or relocate within a two-hour drive of the work location at 200 College Street, Asheville, North Carolina; residence in Buncombe County is not required. On-site interviews are targeted for the week of November 30, 2026, with the selected candidate anticipated to begin in mid-December.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public, business, or personnel administration, or a related field, and five years of experience in performance/project management, including at least three years of managerial or supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of the organization and functions of County government.
Knowledge of supervisory practices, including communication, delegation, employee issue resolution, performance evaluation, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
Knowledge of strategic planning methodologies and practices.
Knowledge of public and business administration principles and practices, including budget and finance.
Ability to interpret federal and state legislation and establish County-level policy guidance to ensure compliance.
Ability to compile, analyze, and summarize administrative, programmatic, and fiscal data to assess agency capacity.
Ability to develop written documents, oral presentations, and reports, and to communicate effectively.
Ability to lead, supervise, and direct a team.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to organize work, establish priorities, and meet guidelines and deadlines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, elected officials, community organizations, and the general public.
Must reside or relocate to within a two-hour drive of 200 College Street, Asheville, North Carolina.

Responsibilities

Direct and supervise department activities and productivity, including coordination of fiscal and personnel-related activities.
Supervise, evaluate, and support staff through formal and informal discussions; provide guidance; support career development and team goals; oversee objectives and performance standards; and resolve personnel issues.
Analyze workflow and delegate projects to meet departmental goals.
Plan and monitor the department operating budget and authorize purchases and expenditures.
Evaluate and analyze data and facts systematically to inform decisions by Department Directors, County Leadership, and Elected Officials.
Manage enterprise-wide departmental business planning, defining and documenting goals, initiatives, actions, and measures aligned with the County’s strategic vision and plan.
Manage enterprise-wide strategic planning and the processes that establish the County’s strategic vision and aligned goals, initiatives, actions, and measures.
Oversee strategic, enterprise-level project management, including planning, coordinating, and communicating to achieve organization-wide results.
Ensure facilitation of teams, groups, committees, departments, and leadership teams to produce defined outcomes or work products that impact County services.
Ensure the development and design of performance metrics and indicators to demonstrate the effectiveness of key business initiatives.
Oversee County policy management throughout the policy life cycle, including development, revision, approval, and implementation; review policies and determine applicability and enforcement methods.
Oversee the creation and maintenance of data management tools for internal and external County stakeholders.
Oversee analysis and modeling of data from multiple sources to create extensible data platforms for operational smoothing and cost-benefit analysis.
Oversee the County’s innovation training programs.
Advise department managers and staff regarding organizational performance, data collection, and procedural changes.
Research best practices to improve organizational performance.
Manage community survey contract activities, data evaluation and interpretation, and presentations to the Board of Commissioners and department heads.
Develop and implement the County-wide Mindworks innovation program.
Collect and analyze data for a wide variety of departmental projects, synthesize findings into concise communications, and present data and recommendations across the organization.
Perform other related duties as assigned.