Chief of Operations - Core Operations Director

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 125,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota is seeking a Chief of Operations in Saint Paul to provide executive leadership for agency internal operations and advise senior leaders on strategy and policy. The role oversees fiscal services, HR, legal, and administrative functions, driving operational excellence and engagement across divisions.

The position requires strategic leadership, strong communication, and a track record of managing complex, multi-department initiatives in a public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience leading complex organizational operations in a large, multifaceted environment.
• Experience supervising senior-level managers and guiding cross-functional teams.
• Ability to navigate governance, policies, budgeting and resource planning across divisions.
• Strong leadership to inspire change, and to lead without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and writing skills for executives and varied audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal operations across fiscal services, HR, legal, admin, legislative affairs, and operational excellence.
• Advise the Commissioner and Deputies on administrative issues and strategic planning.
• Guide long-term planning, major projects, and agency priorities across divisions.
• Oversee operational units to ensure alignment with laws and effective management.
• Set strategic direction and implement changes to improve operations and service delivery.
• Coach and develop leaders and staff for strong performance and growth.
• Support leadership in defining mission, strategies, policies, culture, and priorities.
• Communicate policies clearly and incorporate staff feedback.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree substitution for years of experience

Job description

Working Title: Chief of Operations

Job Class: Core Operations Director

Agency: Minnesota Management & Budget

• Job ID : 97888

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/21/2026

• Closing Date : 11/10/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Management & Budget

• Division/Unit : Agency Operations

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $59.86 - $85.63 / hourly; $124,987 - $178,795 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : Unrepresented - Managerial Plan

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

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 of Operations to provide executive leadership for the agency’s internal operations and serve as a key advisor to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. This role guides and supports critical functions such as fiscal services, human resources, legal, legislative affairs, administrative services, operational excellence, and DEIAB. The position plays a central role in shaping agency strategy, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and ensuring smooth, coordinated operations across divisions. The Chief of Operations works closely with senior leaders to plan for the future, manage complex organizational needs, and advance priorities.

Job duties for this position include:

• Leading MMB’s internal operations, including fiscal services, HR, legal, administrative services, legislative affairs, operational excellence, and DEAIB

• Advising the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners on administrative issues and strategic planning

• Guiding long-term planning, major projects, and agency priorities across divisions

• Overseeing operational units to ensure alignment with agency goals, laws, and effective management practices

• Setting strategic direction and implementing organizational changes to improve operations and service delivery

• Supervising, coaching, and developing leaders and staff to support strong performance and continuous growth

• Supporting agency leadership in defining agency mission, strategies, policies, culture, and operational priorities

• Communicating agency policies and decisions clearly and incorporating feedback from leaders and staff

All MMB Leaders are expected to demonstrate and develop the six competency themes from the Enterprise-Wide Leader Competency Model: (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/enterprise-talent-development/career-development/Enterprise-Leader-Competency-Definition-Guide.pdf)

• Leading Self

• Leading Others

• Leading the Organization

• Leading Outside the Organization

• Leading with DEAI

• Getting Work Done

Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) 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 (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/applicant-help/resume-tips/).

• Five (5) years of experience leading complex organizational operations in a large, multifaceted environment (such as government, nonprofit, higher education, or corporate settings) where coordination across multiple functions or departments is required

Experience must include:

• Supervising senior-level managers and guiding cross-functional teams through planning, performance management, and organizational change

• Navigating organizational governance, policies, or regulatory frameworks; managing budgets; and overseeing resource planning across divisions or departments

• Leadership skills sufficient to inspire and champion change, navigate ambiguity, collaborate with executive managers, and lead without direct authority

• Analytical and problem-solving skills sufficient to identify organizational challenges, evaluate options using sound judgement, and develop solutions that support effective operations

• Communication and writing skills sufficient to advise executives and convey complex information to a variety of audiences in varying contexts

• Demonstrated respect for diversity and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

A bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, organizational leadership, industrial psychology, human resources, labor relations, finance, accounting, law, political science, or communications may substitute for one (1) year of experience. A master’s degree in a similar field may substitute for eighteen months of experience.

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 in a similar role that manages several department heads and navigates collaboration across departments

• Experience advising executive leadership on policy development, strategic direction, or enterprise planning beyond one’s own division or department

• Experience developing and implementing organizational processes that move projects forward, achieve strategic goals, and invite thoughtful participation from team members Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and to being an exceptional steward of public resources

• Experience fostering organizational culture initiatives, promoting employee engagement, or supporting efforts that strengthen trust, transparency, and shared accountability across teams

• Knowledge of State of Minnesota practices, policies, and procedures

• Public sector experience (city, county, state, federal, Tribal)

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.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.