Undersecretary - Office of Policy and Management (Undersecretary for Education) #260824-0450EX-001

About the role

The Undersecretary for Education will advise the OPM Secretary on statewide K-12 education policy, finance, governance, student outcomes, accountability, educator workforce, school facilities, and related matters.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging state and federal education issues; assess their fiscal, legal, operational, and equity implications; and recommend options for executive action, budget development, or legislation.
• Develop and evaluate policy proposals in coordination with OPM's Budget and Financial Management divisions, the Governor's Office, education agencies, municipalities, school districts, and other partners.
• Analyze education funding formulas, agency and grant expenditures, program performance, enrollment and demographic trends, and relevant administrative data to inform recommendations and resource allocation.
• Lead or support the development of implementation plans for approved education initiatives, including objectives, timelines, agency responsibilities, performance measures, risks, and decision points.
• Convene and facilitate interagency and cross-sector working groups; build alignment among agencies and stakeholders; resolve policy and implementation issues; and elevate decisions requiring executive direction.
• Monitor federal legislation, regulations, funding, and administrative actions affecting Connecticut education programs and coordinate an appropriate state response.
• Promote alignment across K-12 education, early childhood, higher education, workforce development, and economic-development policy, including pathways such as dual credit, career and technical education, educator preparation, and postsecondary affordability.
• Prepare concise decision memoranda, policy papers, budget analyses, presentations, talking points, testimony support, and briefings for the Secretary, Governor's Office, and other senior officials.
• Represent the OPM Secretary on boards, commissions, task forces, and in meetings with state agencies, municipal officials, education leaders, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders, as assigned.
• Cook up priorities and project plans; track implementation and results; recommend corrective action when initiatives are off track.

Requirements

Knowledge of higher education policy and experience connecting K-12, postsecondary education, workforce development, and the state's economic goals is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience developing, analyzing, or implementing statewide or large-system K-12 education policy.
• Experience assessing budget, legislative, regulatory, and programmatic impacts and translating analysis into recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple agencies, levels of government, school districts, higher education institutions, or other stakeholders.
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate policy choices, program performance, and fiscal impacts.
• Experience preparing executive-level policy memoranda, presentations, budget materials, or legislative analyses under tight deadlines.
• Experience facilitating, negotiating and presenting to the public.

Skills

Strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously are essential.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A