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Sr. Executive Director, Office of Program Fiscal Operations

Program Manager Sr IV

Recruitment #23-005485-0001

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Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

GRADE

Salary Grade 26

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Note: All MSDE positions require in-person/on-site reporting.

Main Purpose of Job

The Senior Executive Director of the Office of Program Fiscal Operations and Local Strategic Finance and reports to the Assistant State Superintendent for Financial Planning, Operations, and Strategy (FPOS). This Office leads the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE’s) efforts related to supporting local education agency (LEA) leadership, LEA financial leadership, LEA Boards, and other LEA stakeholders regarding the resource components of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. This position serves as primary point-of-contact with LEA staff regarding strategic resource allocation and use; and acts as an in-house subject matter expert on issues related to strategic resource allocation and school district financial management. This position will lead MSDE efforts to train and support LEA personnel and offer best-practices and concrete, actionable policy and system support for Blueprint budgeting and spending requirements, including the management of external grantees or vendors who MSDE utilizes to provide direct LEA support.

Internal to MSDE, the Program Fiscal Operations Branch reports directly to and is led by this position. The finance directors in this Office are based in FPOS and support larger MSDE programs that require additional, direct fiscal operations capacity, including the Division of Early Childhood and the Division of Early Intervention and Special Education. This Office ensures MSDE fiscal operations in larger MSDE programs run consistent with Department policies and procedures. 

As a subject matter expert in strategic resource use, deployment, spending, and transparency, this position also serves as an asset for ad-hoc projects from the Office of the State Superintendent, including strategic MSDE priorities that require financial investment or alignment. Consequently, this role requires knowledge of subject matter finance expertise and the ability to learn and utilize non-finance, programmatic education policy matters. 

This position requires detailed attention to all work activities and the ability to maintain that attention to detail while working with urgency amidst competing priorities. The Senior Executive Director will lead the Office team toward accomplishing the program’s goals and is responsible for ensuring the Office of Program Fiscal Operations and Local Strategic Finance approaches internal and external stakeholders while delivering on service-level agreements and focusing on delivering excellent customer support and guidance.

POSITION DUTIES

Lead the Office of Program Fiscal Operations and Local Strategic Finance
  • Provide leadership and coordination to senior local education agency personnel – including Superintendents and Chief Financial Officers – for the planning, implementing, and evaluation of Blueprint-related resource deployment
  • Assist local education agency personnel in implementing and maintaining internal systems and processes most-aligned to resource and reporting expectations and requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future
  • Maintain knowledge and understanding of best practices in public sector budgeting and financial management, strategic resource use, cross-Departmental strategic financial planning, and education finance policy and practice
  • Serve as a resource and subject-matter expert to MSDE staff and local education agency personnel in public sector budgeting and financial management, strategic resource use, cross-Departmental strategic financial planning, and education finance policy and practice
  • Lead MSDE efforts to maximize the use of the Blueprint-mandated statewide finance and data system through direct support of local education agencies and the alignment of local education datato confirm with State expectations
  • Monitor and approve local education agency budgeting and spending reports prior to external submission and publication
  • Respond to inquiries about the Office or its work with local education agencies and MSDE program staff 
Lead the Office of Program Fiscal Operations
  • Ensure that the Division of Early Childhood, the Division of Special Education and Early Intervention, and the Office of School Community Nutrition Programs and corresponding State aid resources arewell-managed, and that Division and Office personnel understood and the financial status of the irrespective programs
  • Directly and indirectly – through the assignment of team staff – assist program staff with headquarters program fiscal operation and administration
  • Manage and lead program staff to ensure thorough program administration and excellent customer service and engagement with the internal and cross-Division stakeholders, especially the corresponding MSDE program teams
  • Ensure that the finance directors that comprise this Office provide corresponding MSDE program offices the tools necessary to ensure MSDE staff and programs are most likely to be successful and drive positive results with MSDE investments 
Lead Ad-Hoc Finance Aligned MSDE Policy Initiatives
  • Lead MSDE efforts to implement unique programs from the Office of the State Superintendent, including strategic MSDE priorities that require financial investment or alignment
  • Rely on subject matter finance expertise and while learning and utilizing non-finance, programmatic content knowledge to inform and drive MSDE education policy matters at the request of the State Superintendent of Schools
  • Emphasize quality and attention to detail in any project deliverables, memoranda, presentations, and reports
  • Uses each project as an opportunity to level-up (and learn from) internal MSDE staff to build the internal knowledge base related to the data, research, and substantive underpinnings of the policy initiatives this role supports

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting or a related field from an accredited college or university

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of financial or budget management experience, three years of this experience must have been at the supervisory or management level. State or public sector experience is desirable.  Experience with school district finances is highly desirable.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet thequalifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted bythe closing date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified.The resulting list of qualified candidates will be in effect for at least one year.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must complete the MD State Government online application for employment and submit their professional resume. The application and resume must clearly demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the minimum qualifications for the position. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

 If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application. Postmarks will not be accepted. 

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay. 

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment. 

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.



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