Chief Strategy Officer

T
he work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been providing pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking job candidates that have strong leadership skills and a background in strategic planning to serve as TRA's Chief Strategy Officer (CSO).

Our CSO position exists to provide leadership for the administrative strategic planning, legislative agenda, business continuity, process improvement, member and employer outreach, and data record retention efforts for TRA. The incumbent will develop, maintain, and implement a consistent, integrated administrative strategic management plan, ensuring the successful measurement and completion of strategic initiatives. Lastly, the incumbent will also be responsible for improving organizational effectiveness using continuous improvement methodologies, leading and managing enterprise-wide projects to support the administrative strategic plan, and supporting the creation and measurement of TRA-wide performance measures, as well as the implementation of the agency’s data retention and data practices policies and procedures.

This position is located in our Saint Paul, Minnesota office, and will require the incumbent to work a schedule that includes in‑person work. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role.

Five (5) years of progressive work experience in strategic planning initiatives that focus on: legislative affairs, business continuity, process improvement, stakeholder outreach, data governance, and/or records management.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, Business Law, Public or Business Administration, Emergency Management, Strategic Planning, Organizational Management, or a related field can substitute for one (1) year of experience.

AND

One (1) year of experience managing or supervising multiple teams simultaneously to achieve organizational objectives.

Experience must further demonstrate the following:

• Proven success in a leadership or supervisory capacity to oversee and direct the work of others, achieve organizational goals, and drive performance. Leadership can include training staff, acting as a lead worker, and/or management of large projects involving others.
• The ability to develop a comprehensive understanding of state and federal public pension laws and regulations, as well as state government data privacy requirements.
• Advanced data research, analytical, and interpretation skills sufficient to evaluate program effectiveness, establish goals and metrics, and lead process improvement initiatives.
• A strong foundation in project and risk management principles, as well as strategic planning methodologies to mitigate organizational risk.
• Excellent organizational skills with the proven ability to successfully lead, manage, and deliver multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate and consult on complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, such as Executive Management, the TRA Board of Trustees, etc.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment, as well as handle important matters that require sensitivity with discretion.
• Demonstrated success in budget management, financial oversight, and the implementation of interdepartmental or enterprise-wide projects, policies, and initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Cisco Web Ex, and/or various equivalent software platforms.

Successful candidates must also possess the ability to secure their transportation for business travel and/or…