Undersecretary – Office of Policy and Management

State of Connecticut•Hartford, CT

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is seeking an experienced executive to serve as an Undersecretary - Office of Policy and Management (Undersecretary for Special Projects). Reporting directly to the OPM Secretary, this position will lead complex, high-priority initiatives that cross agency lines and require sustained executive coordination, strong analysis, and disciplined implementation. Initial areas of focus are expected to include statewide work to manage overtime, improve workers' compensation outcomes and administration, and coordinate cross-agency housing initiatives. The portfolio will evolve with the Governor's and OPM Secretary's priorities. This is a full-time position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways. At OPM, we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor. The Undersecretary will serve as the Secretary's executive lead for enterprise initiatives that do not fit neatly within a single agency or OPM division. The position will establish clear governance and accountability, convene agency leaders, develop policy and operational recommendations, resolve barriers, and ensure that approved actions move from decision to measurable results. This role requires an executive who is comfortable operating in ambiguity, working across policy, budget, labor, legal, technology, and operations, and engaging senior officials and stakeholders with competing priorities. This is an unclassified position that serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Requirements

Senior leadership experience directing complex policy, operational, organizational-improvement, or implementation initiatives involving multiple agencies, departments, or business units.
Experience with public-sector labor and workforce issues, overtime management, workers' compensation, housing policy or programs, or other large-scale governmental operations.
Experience advising and presenting to governors' offices, cabinet officials, agency heads, boards, chief executives, or comparably senior leaders.
Experience communicating complex matters clearly, exercising sound judgment on sensitive issues, and working independently in a fast-paced environment.
Experience supervising professional staff and managing consultants, contractors, or cross-functional project teams.

Nice To Haves

Expertise across every listed area is not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as the OPM Secretary's lead executive for assigned statewide and interagency initiatives and represent the Secretary in meetings, working groups, boards, commissions, and other forums, as assigned.
Establish project charters, governance structures, decision rights, objectives, work plans, schedules, performance measures, and reporting expectations for major initiatives.
Analyze complex fiscal, operational, workforce, legal, technological, and organizational issues; develop practical options; and present clear recommendations, tradeoffs, and implementation implications to the Secretary and Governor's Office.
Identify barriers that span agency jurisdiction, clarify responsibilities, secure executive decisions, and drive timely resolution of issues that threaten schedule, budget, or policy outcomes.
Coordinate with OPM division heads and agency commissioners or designees to align initiatives with budget requirements, statutory authority, labor obligations, procurement rules, technology plans, and existing programs.
Oversee the Enterprise Project Manager—Special Projects and any assigned staff, consultants, or work streams; set priorities; review work products; and maintain accountability for deliverables.
Develop executive dashboards and progress reports that identify milestones, outcomes, fiscal impacts, risks, open decisions, and corrective actions.
Build consensus among diverse constituencies while maintaining focus on the Administration's policy goals, fiscal stewardship, implementation feasibility, and measurable public value.
Perform related duties and lead additional priority assignments at the direction of the OPM Secretary.