Chief of Strategic Planning and Administration (CSPA) PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR V

MSRPS administers benefits for over 430,000 members, including active employees, retirees, and vested participants across 12 retirement systems—supporting the financial security of Maryland’s public servants. Located in Baltimore’s Central Business District, MSRPS offers a purpose-driven workplace with modern amenities, including panoramic city and harbor views, renovated common areas, upgraded elevators, and an on-site café.

Benefits

• Comprehensive state benefits including medical, dental, and prescription coverage
• Generous paid leave
• Participation in the state pension system
• Supplemental retirement savings options (401(k), 457(b), and more)
• On-site fitness center with showers and lockers
• 24/7 building security
• Easy access to restaurants, shops, public transit, and major highways

This position is designated as telework-eligible under the State of Maryland’s Telework Policy, after successfully completing the defined required training period.

About the Role

The Chief of Strategic Planning and Administration (CSPA) will serve and support the mission of the agency by overseeing Executive Operations, Culture & Communications, and the “One Portfolio” Culture within the Chief Investment Office (CIO). The role involves strategic planning, governance, cross-functional coordination, and acting as a trusted strategic advisor to the CIO. The CSPA will facilitate communication between the CIO, senior management, staff, Trustees, and other stakeholders, while resolving or escalating issues as needed.

Responsibilities

• Support the CIO on operational and investment strategy, communications, governance, and cross-functional coordination.
• Oversee Investment Division Executive support, staff coordination, event planning, and overall management.
• Manage Culture & Communications, including alignment of ID/agency-wide culture, communication, and training.
• Collaborate with the CIO and ID senior management to cultivate and nurture the “One Portfolio” Culture, emphasizing innovation, long-term thinking, and capability alignment.
• Act as an intermediary between ID staff and the CIO to solve problems, mediate disputes, and proactively address issues.
• Serve as a liaison between the CIO and senior management, Trustees, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent communication and decision-making.
• Manage and coordinate organizational change and strategic initiatives across the Investment Division.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage internal and external organizational events.
• Use AI tools to develop presentations, analytics, and communications for Board and Committee meetings.
• Manage, coordinate, and prioritize the CIO’s schedule and establish effective working relationships with Trustees and Public Member Advisors.
• Coordinate or attend meetings for the CIO, ensuring accurate meeting minutes and follow-up on action items.
• Represent the CIO in meetings and phone calls with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the CIO’s correspondence, including answering questions and directing internal projects alongside division heads.
• Attend events, conferences, and meetings with the CIO as needed.
• Oversee the CIO’s travel schedule.
• Identify areas for administrative improvement and make actionable recommendations.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the CIO and ID senior management team.
• Draft letters, emails, reports, and other correspondence on behalf of the CIO.
• Participate in strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making with the CIO and ID senior management team.
• Ensure timely and effective completion of the CIO’s projects and initiatives.
• Create and maintain systems and processes to streamline operations.
• Establish standards and procedures for hiring and managing office staff and personnel for the CIO.
• Research and recommend new and revised policies and strategies.
• Collaborate with the Agency’s Human Resource department and other senior leaders to address ID personnel issues and priorities.
• Manage a team of administrative support staff to ensure critical functions are completed accurately and on time.
• Coordinate and facilitate consistent communication between teams and across the division.
• Ensure cross-training, redundancy, and succession planning across administrative functions.
• Establish performance objectives to measure and improve team performance.
• Oversee the team that coordinates and manages the planning, preparation, and distribution of committee agendas and meetings.
• Ensure minutes are recorded for relevant Committee meetings and action items are included in subsequent Board agendas for approval.
• Assess performance and provide feedback to the administration support team through employee performance evaluations.
• Review policies and procedures relating to travel, invoices, payment, and reimbursement, and recommend process improvements.
• Manage administrative workflows and assign tasks to administration team members as appropriate.
• Budget and allocate resources to the administration team.
• Oversee the division’s vendor relationships and support RFP and procurement processes.
• Oversee staff responsible for maintaining office equipment and ordering supplies.
• Ensure high standards of quality for any material distributed by the Investment Division, reviewing relevant material for accuracy and consistency.
• Assist investment staff with understanding State and agency travel regulations and policies.
• Oversee staff that prepares and processes SRA Requisition/Working Fund forms for ordering supplies, equipment, subscriptions, memberships, hotel accommodations, and registration fees.
• Pay for requisitioned items and/or invoices with a corporate purchasing card (CPC) and keep the CIO informed of the Investment Division’s spending on all budgeted items.
• Oversee monthly reconciliation of bank statements and procurement forms for credit cards issued in the Investment Division.
• Assist with the oversight of special projects as directed by the Chief Investment Officer.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, operations, program or project management, governance, executive administration, organizational development, public administration, financial services administration, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or professional training and experience in business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, project or program management, strategy management consulting, human resources, finance, procurement, law, communications, technology management, or a relevant discipline.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects or operational initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and organizational priorities.
• Experience supervising employees, leading teams, or directing substantial workstreams.
• Experience developing or improving policies, procedures, workflows, controls, or governance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear executive-level written materials, presentations, recommendations, and decision-support information.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, exercise discretion, and communicate effectively across organizational levels and professional disciplines.
• Experience leading inclusively, establishing high standards of professional excellence, inviting/incorporating diverse perspectives, and promoting transparent and equitable access to assignments, information, professional development, recognition, and advancement opportunities.
• Additional consideration may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
  • Board, committee, or public-sector governance
  • Investment management, pension administration, financial services, or another regulated environment
  • Procurement, contracting, or vendor management
  • Operating-budget development, financial administration, or budget-to-actual reporting
  • Human-resources operations, performance-management processes, learning and development, or organizational culture/transformation
  • Strategic and executive communications, executive briefing, speechwriting, or presentation development
  • Technology program management, digital transformation, or responsible AI use and integration
  • Travel, reimbursement, purchasing-card, or accounts-payable process improvement
  • Strategic and event planning
  • Policy manuals, operating procedures, records management, or internal controls
  • Change management, organizational design, or administrative-team restructuring
  • Professional credentials in project or program management, human resources