Deputy Assistant Secretary & Chief Program Officer (PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR IV)

MD; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Hybrid teleworking

Paid holidays

Paid leave

State Pension

401(k) and 457 plans

Health, dental & prescription plans

Flexible Spending Account

State Employees Credit Union

Job summary

Maryland Department of Labor seeks a senior leader to oversee UI Benefits and Tax operations in a hybrid role. The Deputy will direct claims processing, payments, and tax administration while guiding modernization initiatives and policy development.

This role emphasizes compliance, performance improvement, and building a high-caliber leadership team to ensure accountability and public service excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Five years of experience in senior program leadership and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Direct UI Benefits and Tax program administration and leadership.
• Modernize UI operations and drive service delivery improvements.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state laws and standards.
• Monitor UI Trust Fund health and employer tax compliance.
• Build a high-performing leadership team and public-service culture.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public administration

Policy development

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance

Job description

Introduction

GRADE

Grade 26

LOCATION OF POSITION

100 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Main Purpose of Job

This senior leader will oversee the core day-to-day operations of the Unemployment Insurance Division, with executive responsibility for the administration of UI benefits and employer tax operations. The Deputy is the principal change leader for benefits and tax, accountable for continuous improvement and ensuring consistent execution across core UI functions. The Deputy will lead implementation of key strategic plan priorities for UI operations, including improving the timeliness and quality of benefit payments, reducing backlogs, strengthening call center performance and customer service, and improving the accuracy and effectiveness of employer tax accounting and administration. The Deputy will closely oversee benefits and tax administration to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, performance standards, and program requirements. Drawing on operational experience and performance data, the Deputy will identify systemic challenges and develop recommendations for changes to policies, procedures, directives, technology, and business processes that improve program performance and outcomes.

POSITION DUTIES

Program Leadership

Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the administration of UI Benefits and Tax programs. Provides executive leadership to senior managers responsible for claims processing, benefit payment and tax administration.

Program Modernization & Continuous Improvement

Serves as principal change leader for modernizing UI operations, adopting innovative strategies, and partnering with technology, data, and quality units to drive service delivery improvements.

Compliance & Policy Innovation

Ensures compliance with federal/state laws and standards, acts as lead liaison to regulators/funders, and collaborates on policy development.

Trust Fund Solvency & Integrity

Monitors and evaluates the UI Trust Fund health and employer tax compliance to recommend solvency and reporting improvements.

Team Building & Culture of Excellence

Builds; Culture of Excellence (10%): Builds and sustains a high-performing, collaborative leadership team and fosters a culture of accountability and public service excellence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: Five years of experience in senior program leadership, operational oversight, strategic planning, and modernizing complex public or private benefit/tax systems

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Personnel employed in this classification will have access to federal tax information and must undergo a state and FBI criminal background check as a condition of employment.

All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (MD Labor/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to MD Labor/DUI as a result of unemployment insurance overpayment/fraud. Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.

BENEFITS

This is a full-time, permanent position and eligible for full State benefits, which include:

• Flexible hours and hybrid teleworking
• Paid holidays 12-13 per year
• Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave)
• State Pension ('defined benefit' plan)
• Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457)
• Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions, and free preventative health services​
• Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare
• State Employees Credit Union

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

U.S. Military Veterans may qualify for additional bonus points towards certification. Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing a U.S. Military form DD 214 verifying honorable discharge from service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). Permanent State employees do not need to submit proof of Veterans’ status.

Maryland Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of MDOL that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.