Public Service Executive

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Iowa - Executive Branch is seeking a Chief of Business Operations for IPERS, a public service executive role reporting to the CEO. You will provide strategic leadership over the agency's Business Operations Division, overseeing a $50B+ trust fund and ensuring efficient pension administration for 185,000+ active members and $2.9B in annual payroll and refunds.

Ideal candidates demonstrate public-sector commitment, exceptional organizational and conflict-resolution skills, and the ability

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and governance skills in a public-sector setting.
• Ability to navigate complex policy, budget, and regulatory environments.
• Proven ability to drive organizational change and strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership over IPERS' Business Operations Division.
• Oversee pension administration system and related processes for a multi-billion fund.
• Direct technical operations, data management, and system maintenance.
• Drive core business efficiency, financial contributions, and processing workflows.
• Lead QA, business analysis, release management, and training across the agency.

Skills

Executive leadership

Public sector experience

Strategic planning

Job description

Job Description

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Public Service Executive
The Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) is the fiduciary responsible for administering the IPERS Trust Fund. IPERS members represent most of Iowa’s hard-working public sector employees, including educators, first responders, law enforcement and more. IPERS’ mission is to support its membership – Iowa’s public workforce – with the prudent management of the IPERS Trust Fund.

Job Description
This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.
Public Service Executive
The Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) is the fiduciary responsible for administering the IPERS Trust Fund. IPERS members represent most of Iowa’s hard-working public sector employees, including educators, first responders, law enforcement and more. IPERS’ mission is to support its membership – Iowa’s public workforce – with the prudent management of the IPERS Trust Fund.
At the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS), we believe that every employee plays an integral role in our success. We take pride in maintaining our status as one of the nation’s most well-funded public retirement plans.

Who We’re Looking For
We want driven, forward-thinking leaders to make a lasting impact on the financial security of Iowa's public servants. Ideal candidates bring a strong commitment to public sector goals and the ability to navigate complex situations under strict deadlines. Strong organizational skills, independent time management, and excellent interpersonal abilities to resolve conflicts are essential for success.

What You’ll Do
As the Chief of Business Operations (Public Service Executive), you will serve as a key executive advisor to the CEO and provide strategic leadership over IPERS' Business Operations Division. In this role, you will have executive oversight of the agency's pension administration system, manage processes that support a $50B+ trust fund, serve over 185,000 active members, and successfully deliver more than $2.9B in annual member payroll and refunds.

• Executive Division Leadership: Provide strategic direction and oversight to the Business Operations Division, ensuring operational efficiency and high-level service delivery.
• Pension System Innovation: Drive enhancements to the core pension administration system, focusing on optimizing internal operations, increasing efficiency, and advancing external self-service portals for members and employers.
• Technical Operations Oversight: Direct technical, system-related, and data processes within the Retirement Automation Bureau, including data management, automation, system maintenance, and agency-wide reporting.
• Core Business Management: Optimize internal processes for large-scale operations, including benefit calculations, tax withholdings, financial contributions, service credit purchases, and application processing.
• Systems Enablement & QA: Oversee business analysis functions, application support, quality assurance testing, release management, and training programs across the agency.