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 Undersecretary - Office of Policy and Management (Undersecretary for Education) position to advise the OPM Secretary and help shape and implement the Administration's education priorities. The position will focus principally on prekindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) policy, finance, governance, accountability, and program implementation. Knowledge of higher education policy—and experience connecting K-12, postsecondary education, workforce development, and the state's economic goals—is strongly preferred.

Requirements

Experience developing, analyzing, or implementing statewide or large-system K-12 education policy.
Experience assessing budget, legislative, regulatory, and programmatic impacts and translating analysis into recommendations for senior decision-makers.
Experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple agencies, levels of government, school districts, higher education institutions, or other stakeholders.
Experience using quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate policy choices, program performance, and fiscal impacts.
Experience preparing executive-level policy memoranda, presentations, budget materials, or legislative analyses under tight deadlines.
Experience facilitating, negotiating and presenting to the public.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of higher education policy
Experience connecting K-12, postsecondary education, workforce development, and the state's economic goals

Responsibilities

Serve as senior advisor to the OPM Secretary on statewide K-12 education policy, finance, governance, student outcomes, accountability, educator workforce, school facilities, and related matters.
Identify emerging state and federal education issues; assess their fiscal, legal, operational, and equity implications; and recommend options for executive action, budget development, or legislation.
Develop and evaluate policy proposals in coordination with OPM's Budget and Financial Management divisions, the Governor's Office, education agencies, municipalities, school districts, and other partners.
Analyze education funding formulas, agency and grant expenditures, program performance, enrollment and demographic trends, and relevant administrative data to inform recommendations and resource allocation.
Lead or support the development of implementation plans for approved education initiatives, including objectives, timelines, agency responsibilities, performance measures, risks, and decision points.
Convene and facilitate interagency and cross-sector working groups; build alignment among agencies and stakeholders; resolve policy and implementation issues; and elevate decisions requiring executive direction.
Monitor federal legislation, regulations, funding, and administrative actions affecting Connecticut education programs and coordinate an appropriate state response.
Promote alignment across K-12 education, early childhood, higher education, workforce development, and economic-development policy, including pathways such as dual credit, career and technical education, educator preparation, and postsecondary affordability.
Prepare concise decision memoranda, policy papers, budget analyses, presentations, talking points, testimony support, and briefings for the Secretary, Governor's Office, and other senior officials.
Represent the OPM Secretary on boards, commissions, task forces, and in meetings with state agencies, municipal officials, education leaders, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders, as assigned.
Coordinate priorities and project plans; track implementation and results; recommend corrective action when initiatives are off track.
Perform related duties as required.