We're looking for a Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives who will be responsible for managing ODI's Strategic Plan and developing its portfolio. You will be responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of policies, standards, procedures and early products related to digital and data service delivery, adoption, maintenance and capacity building. You will need an extensive background and broad knowledge of digital services, data services, innovation, programs, processes, procedures and policies and must demonstrate a high degree of initiative, strategic technology planning experience, and independent judgment in providing factual information in response to various complex digital service needs.

In this role you will:

• Forecast, plan and direct the implementation of ODI’s strategic initiatives, product or service development and, when necessary, critical client engagements
• Advise the Chief Deputy Director and Director in the formulation of state digital service delivery policy
• Define and propose products and solutions that will increase value, streamline service delivery and respond directly to the needs of Californians
• Identify systems-level change and opportunities for statewide policy changes on government digital services
• Assess the state of digital services provided by the State government and work to align strategies and practice
• Oversee team strategy & business development, developing and implementing a high-level strategy for ODI project engagement
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities, assess and determine new projects, and manage internal capacity planning
• Oversee implementation of ODI statewide training program and help identify which projects would benefit from a training component
• Oversee the product roadmaps and implementations of digital products including the transition back to the partner department’s
• Analyze and scope the technical and policy requirements needed to implement complex digital solutions and knows when it requires collaboration with other teams
• Lead discovery and scoping with partner organizations to identify needs and opportunities, define problem statements and make recommendations
• Support capacity building among partner departments through the development of playbooks, recommended practices communities of practice and other training channels.

Location: The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento, CA. ODI is currently operating in a hybrid work environment with staff reporting to the office 2 days a week to the Sacramento HQ.

Annual salary: $158,364 to $177,372 based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits: The state offers many benefits, including pension, health benefits (including after retirement), life insurance, employee assistance program, and much more.

Appointment: This position is appointed by the Governor of California.

Last day to apply: Open until filled.

Desirable Qualifications

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in government transformation, strategy, and project management/delivery
• Professional experience leading strategy engagements and teams
• Proven track record of data driven decision making and successful completion of engagements
• Able to create policies and procedures, standard operating processes, job aids, training documents as needed for the portfolio of outsourcing and strategic initiatives.
• Strong presence and strategic judgment.
• Excellent communication, team facilitation, and presentation skills for an executive level audience
• Experienced in creating strategic roadmaps and providing strategic progress reporting at an executive level.
• Proven ability to provide strategic recommendations based on insights, aligning planning, and forecasting into actionable strategy to drive results.
• Ability to present ideas and concepts and work persuasively with colleagues.
• Highly analytical and skilled in problem-solving.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Highly entrepreneurial and curious with the ability to take initiative and think holistically and strategically.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and work in cross functional team structures.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ODI

ODI’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion helps us deliver better government services to the people of California. Diversity inspires better ideas and more innovative thinking. Feeling included nurtures a shared sense of community and collective action to take on more challenging problems. Prioritizing equity ensures we focus on those who are overlooked when we seek to understand people’s needs and build solutions. We acknowledge our history and present of implicit and structural injustice, bias and discrimination. We see, hear and accept each other as each of us brings our lived experiences to our work. We give each other the support to learn and thrive so we can help all Californians thrive. We understand this work is never done so we commit to constant improvement.