Chief Data Officer - General Counsel 3

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment; Saint-Paul; Hybrid; CAD 190,000 - 272,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays

Pension plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Minnesota Management and Budget is seeking a Chief Data Officer to lead statewide data strategy, governance, and ethical data use. This executive role guides the Data Strategy Team, building the foundation for secure, compliant data sharing across agencies while advising executives on policy and privacy matters.

The CDO will shape statewide data infrastructure, balance innovation with risk, and improve government performance through well-governed data ecosystems.

Qualifications

• At least six (6) years leading governance, data-sharing, or multi-stakeholder policy/tech work.
• J.D. from ABA-accredited school and licensed to practice in Minnesota (or able to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for statewide data governance and privacy priorities.
• Set strategic, legal, and operational direction for the MDST.
• Advise senior leaders on data sharing, privacy, and governance mechanisms.
• Serve as statewide escalation point for complex data issues.
• Build enterprise data strategy and secure data sharing across agencies.
• Develop legal frameworks and technical infrastructure for data governance.
• Strengthen workforce data literacy and use for service delivery.

Skills

Governance strategy

Data governance

Policy analysis

Leadership

Interagency collaboration

Privacy and ethics

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission in Minnesota or ability to obtain

Job description

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 09/25/2026
• Closing Date: 10/15/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Management & Budget
• Division/Unit: Minnesota Data Strategy Team
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $64.10 - $91.70 / hourly; $133,841 - $191,470 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit: Manager's Plan
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Working Title: Chief Data Officer

Job Class: General Counsel 3

Agency: Minnesota Management & Budget

Job ID: 97241

Location: St. Paul, MN

Telework Eligible: Yes

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) is seeking a Chief Data Officer (CDO) to serve as the State of Minnesota’s enterprise leader for statewide data strategy, governance, and ethical use. This position will set the vision for how data can strengthen program integrity and overall government performance. As the lead of the Minnesota Data Strategy Team, the CDO will build the legal, technical, and operational foundation that allows agencies to securely and responsibly use and share data, while guiding commissioners, executives, and cross‑sector partners through complex policy and privacy considerations.

This role pairs strategic leadership with practical problem‑solving, setting a statewide vision for data infrastructure by building collaboration across a federated data environment. The CDO will be a trusted advisor on law, ethics, and information policy, driving long‑term improvements of the state’s data ecosystem and helping ensure Minnesotans benefit from well‑governed, high‑quality data.

Job Duties For This Position Include

• Providing executive leadership for the Minnesota Data Strategy Team (MDST), directing managers, staff, and cross‑agency partners to implement statewide data governance and privacy priorities
• Establishing strategic, operational, and legal direction for the MDST, incorporating input from commissioners and executive leaders while making final determinations on statewide priorities
• Advising senior leaders on the strategic, legal, and ethical considerations of data sharing and use, and directing implementation of governance mechanisms that balance innovation, privacy, risk mitigation, and accountability
• Serving as the statewide point of escalation for complex, novel, or cross‑agency legal issues affecting enterprise data sharing and governance
• Establishing and implementing an enterprise data strategy that integrates national best practices in data governance, sharing, and use consistent with state and federal information policy and law
• Building the enterprise legal frameworks, technical infrastructure, and agreements required for secure, privacy‑protective, and responsible data sharing across agencies
• Advancing the enterprise workforce’s capability to access and use data effectively to improve service delivery

All MMB Leaders are expected to demonstrate and develop the six competency themes from the Enterprise‑Wide Leader Competency Model:

• Leading Self
• Leading Others
• Leading the Organization
• Leading Outside the Organization
• Leading with DEAI
• Getting Work Done

Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. Resume tips are available here. To be considered for the Chief Data Officer position, applicants must submit a cover letter.

• At least six (6) years of experience developing or overseeing governance structures, data‑sharing frameworks, or major policy or technology implementations involving multiple stakeholders or organizations
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA‑accredited law school and actively licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota (or ability to obtain licensure prior to end of standard one‑year probationary period).

Experience Must Include

• Demonstrated senior‑level experience in leading teams and large coalitions through complex organizational change, including designing and driving strategy through periods of significant structural, technological, or policy transformation.
• Experience leading teams to analyze and set direction on complex issues at the intersection of policy, technology, and law, applying rigorous legal and technical analysis, negotiation, and sound judgment to forge a shared vision among parties with divergent interests.
• Advanced ability to interpret statutes, regulations, and policy frameworks, including privacy law, and translate them into practical, actionable guidance for executives, legal teams, and technical stakeholders.
• Writing and communication skills sufficient to represent significant projects with authority, distilling complex technical and legal information into clear, credible narratives for executives, subject matter experts, legislators, external partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

MMB values diverse perspectives and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the preferred qualifications. Your unique skills and background might be just what we need!

• Experience designing or overseeing fraud prevention, detection, or risk mitigation frameworks, including data‑sharing agreements, analytics, or controls used to safeguard institutions.
• Familiarity with data governance, including data quality standards, data classification, stewardship models, or data lifecycle management.
• Experience advising or directing technology implementation, data infrastructure, or IT modernization initiatives, including budget, procurement, or vendor management.
• Demonstrated ability to ground organizational decisions in evidence, including using analysis or evaluation results to improve public services.
• Experience engaging legislators, public sector leaders, or high‑level policy bodies on statutory, policy, or technical issues related to data governance, sharing, or use.
• Substantive familiarity with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act or comparable policy regimes.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of Minnesota Management and Budget that a successful candidate must pass all required checks prior to employment which may consist of the below checks:

• SEMA4 records check (applies to current and past state employees only)
• Criminal history check
• Reference check
• Social Security and address verification
• Education verification
• Conflict of interest review
• Other legally or internal policy required checks

A criminal history does not automatically disqualify candidates, and each case will be reviewed individually on a case‑by‑case basis and in alignment with fair and equitable hiring practices.

Minnesota Management & Budget does not participate in E‑Verify. Minnesota Management & Budget will not sponsor applicant work visas, including F‑1 STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.