Chief Strategy Officer

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD): Our mission is to develop a premier workforce that will allow Indiana employers to flourish and entice businesses from outside our state to relocate to Indiana. Everyone at DWD will be required to think outside-the-box; to determine metrics that will allow for measurement and improvement and efficiencies to be made along the way.

Cutting edge technologies will be utilized to help assess Indiana’s employment future. If managed properly, Indiana’s workforce will be second to none and completely prepared for the next phase of the state and country’s economic growth.

Role Overview:

The Deputy Director/Commissioner serves as a senior executive leader responsible for driving agency-wide strategy, organizational effectiveness, and high‑impact initiatives by providing vision, direction, and oversight for programs central to the agency’s operational and public‑facing success. Acting as a key advisor to the Commissioner, the role translates executive priorities into actionable plans, ensures alignment with statewide workforce and economic development goals, and fosters strong relationships with internal leaders, government partners, and external stakeholders.

This position oversees major strategic functions—including outreach, communications, legislative coordination, special projects, and cross‑agency initiatives—while building high‑performing teams and cultivating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Deputy Director/Commissioner anticipates challenges, evaluates program outcomes, makes data‑informed decisions, and ensures resources, policies, and operations support long‑term goals, serving as a central connector across divisions and a key member of senior leadership.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $ but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Reviews and evaluates organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program.
• Provides guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules.
• Supervises subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action.
• Monitors agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections.
• Communicates with news and other media and responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner.
• Coordinates with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.).
• Coordinates, reviews and evaluates the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency.
• Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
• Sets expectations, measures progress, provides ongoing feedback, and evaluates the performance of employees. Ensures work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may…