Policy & Partnerships Bureau Director

Overview

Motor Vehicle Division – Iowa Department of Transportation

The Iowa DOT’s Motor Vehicle Division is seeking an experienced, strategic, and people-centered leader to serve as the Policy & Partnerships Bureau Director
. This senior leadership role reports directly to the MVD Director and oversees a bureau of 30+ professionals who support more than 900 DOT and county employees delivering driver’s license, vehicle, and motor carrier services statewide. While supporting the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission of Making Lives Better Through Transportation, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by five CORE values:
Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

The PPB Director provides vision, direction, and operational leadership across three core areas: (1) policy creation, analysis, and implementation; (2) escalated eligibility review and statewide training/learning strategies; (3) partnership management with county treasurers and industry stakeholders.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring that the Policy and Partnership Bureau supports customer experience, regulatory compliance, and the credibility of the Motor Vehicle Division.

Policy Creation, Analysis & Implementation

• Lead a team of compliance and executive officers responsible for analyzing, drafting, interpreting, and implementing state and federal laws, administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
• Advise the MVD Director on emerging regulatory issues, major policy shifts, and implementation strategies.
• Serve as the division’s point of contact during rapidly evolving policy situations, including directing Corrective Action Plans and executive updates.
• Integrate policy requirements into workflows and decision trees to reduce ambiguity and improve customer outcomes.

Training Portfolio and Escalated Transaction Support

• Provide executive oversight of statewide training, learning, and development strategies for frontline staff and county partners.
• Set training priorities based on stakeholder needs, service delivery challenges, and leadership direction.
• Lead the Advanced Customer Experience (ACE) and Vehicle Information Partners (VIP) teams that support escalated driver and vehicle service transactions for over 900 frontline staff.
• Establish standards, service-level expectations, and escalation processes for complex eligibility and compliance reviews.
• Reduce unnecessary hand-offs by improving triage practices and strengthening staff expertise.

Stakeholder & County Treasurer Partnership Leadership

• Serve as the primary executive lead for county treasurer partnerships, resolving escalated issues affecting driver and vehicle service delivery.
• Advise the MVD Director on county and industry relationships, systemic concerns, and governance improvements.
• Build strong relationships with key industry and governmental partners, including IMTA, ISBA, IADA, IIADA, FMCSA, and others.
• Use stakeholder feedback to inform policy adjustments, training priorities, and operational improvements.
• Executive Leadership & Agency Collaboration
• Serve as a member of the MVD leadership team, contributing to division-wide and agency-wide initiatives.

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. Health and dental insurance premiums information is available within the benefits resources
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover yearly, and 9 paid holidays per year
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial)

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website.

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