STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Undersecretary – Office of Policy and Management

(Undersecretary for Special Projects)

Recruitment #260821-0450EX-002

Go Back Apply View Benefits

Introduction

The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is seeking an experienced executive to serve as an Undersecretary - Office of Policy and Management (Undersecretary for Special Projects).  Reporting directly to the OPM Secretary, this position will lead complex, high-priority initiatives that cross agency lines and require sustained executive coordination, strong analysis, and disciplined implementation.

Initial areas of focus are expected to include statewide work to manage overtime, improve workers' compensation outcomes and administration, and coordinate cross-agency housing initiatives. The portfolio will evolve with the Governor's and OPM Secretary's priorities.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full-time position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways. 

  • LOCATION: Office of Policy and Management
  • ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
  • SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
ABOUT US
At OPM, we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.  

THE ROLE
The Undersecretary will serve as the Secretary's executive lead for enterprise initiatives that do not fit neatly within a single agency or OPM division. The position will establish clear governance and accountability, convene agency leaders, develop policy and operational recommendations, resolve barriers, and ensure that approved actions move from decision to measurable results.

This role requires an executive who is comfortable operating in ambiguity, working across policy, budget, labor, legal, technology, and operations, and engaging senior officials and stakeholders with competing priorities.

This is an unclassified position that serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Learn more about making an impaCT by serving the state of Connecticut by watching the video below:

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 
  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing opm.recruitment@ct.gov. 
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY: 
  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
  • For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

This class serves as an Undersecretary in the Office of Policy and Management with responsibility for the development and analysis of statewide policy or the direction and supervision of a division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Serve as the OPM Secretary's lead executive for assigned statewide and interagency initiatives and represent the Secretary in meetings, working groups, boards, commissions, and other forums, as assigned.
  • Establish project charters, governance structures, decision rights, objectives, work plans, schedules, performance measures, and reporting expectations for major initiatives.
  • Analyze complex fiscal, operational, workforce, legal, technological, and organizational issues; develop practical options; and present clear recommendations, tradeoffs, and implementation implications to the Secretary and Governor's Office.
  • Identify barriers that span agency jurisdiction, clarify responsibilities, secure executive decisions, and drive timely resolution of issues that threaten schedule, budget, or policy outcomes.
  • Coordinate with OPM division heads and agency commissioners or designees to align initiatives with budget requirements, statutory authority, labor obligations, procurement rules, technology plans, and existing programs.
  • Oversee the Enterprise Project Manager—Special Projects and any assigned staff, consultants, or work streams; set priorities; review work products; and maintain accountability for deliverables.
  • Develop executive dashboards and progress reports that identify milestones, outcomes, fiscal impacts, risks, open decisions, and corrective actions.
  • Build consensus among diverse constituencies while maintaining focus on the Administration's policy goals, fiscal stewardship, implementation feasibility, and measurable public value.
  • Perform related duties and lead additional priority assignments at the direction of the OPM Secretary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Senior leadership experience directing complex policy, operational, organizational-improvement, or implementation initiatives involving multiple agencies, departments, or business units.
  • Experience with public-sector labor and workforce issues, overtime management, workers' compensation, housing policy or programs, or other large-scale governmental operations. Expertise across every listed area is not required.
  • Experience advising and presenting to governors' offices, cabinet officials, agency heads, boards, chief executives, or comparably senior leaders.
  • Experience communicating complex matters clearly, exercising sound judgment on sensitive issues, and working independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience supervising professional staff and managing consultants, contractors, or cross-functional project teams.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.


E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by JobAps