Bureau Chief - Strategy Realization Office at State of Iowa – Des Moines, Iowa

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) is seeking to hire a Bureau Chief to lead its Strategy Realization Office (SRO). Reporting to the Internal Services Division Administrator, this position will oversee the Department’s portfolio of initiatives, projects, and programs while ensuring alignment with the Department’s strategic and operational plans, public policy objectives, and regulatory requirements. It will also provide IT thought leadership and oversee the work of IT service providers and the internal team supporting agency systems.

The mission of the SRO is to channel organizational investments towards achieving the agency's strategic goals, putting strategies into action to realize the desired outcomes. The two major functions under the umbrella of the bureau are Strategy Facilitation & Delivery and Technology Support & Oversight.

The Internal Services Division plays a crucial role in ensuring the Department's day-to-day operations run smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. Its responsibilities span many areas, from the safeguarding of confidential taxpayer data, management of the GovConnectIowa Program, integration of technology solutions with business objectives, human resources, data analytics, and business continuity activities. The dedicated staff of this division focus on elevating both the internal and external customer experience. Throughout the year, the division coordinates education and outreach initiatives, fostering connection with our customers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees vendor and system management.
• Collaborates across business and technology functions to monitor dependencies and provide centralized visibility across the initiatives.
• Determines the short- and long-term roadmaps for the portfolio and adjusts as priorities change.
• Gathers and analyzes project portfolio performance data to determine resources and funds allocation in support of organizational strategies and decision-making processes.
• Ensures consistency and excellence in the execution and efficiency of workflows across methodologies and frameworks within the portfolio.
• Develops competencies in the area of project management, portfolio management, vendor management, and business analysis.
• Coaches and mentors staff to improve the probability of successful technology implementations.
• Ensures development of staff, including appropriate certifications and training as part of a comprehensive development plan.
• Develops strong relationships with a broad range of key stakeholders.
• Leads the Department through the completion of a very large tax system modernization effort and through its transition to sustainment.
• Creates policies and procedures to standardize governance processes.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and change advocacy: listens, consults, and communicates proactively; motivates and empowers others; performs change leadership.
• Business acumen: ability to connect the bureau objectives to organizational goals; makes informed decisions and navigates complex business situations successfully.
• Stakeholder partnership and customer centricity: establishes good relationships with internal and external stakeholders and tailors communication to meet their needs.
• Critical thinking: uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and decision-making: considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Project management framework: knowledge of project management methodologies.

Essential Functions

• Manage assigned bureau and direct reports to achieve goals.
• Mentor, advise, and coach direct reports on performance, team issues, and development opportunities.
• Communicates with the team to gather information, resolve issues, and explain information.
• Comply with industry best practices in regard to systems support.
• Acquire expert knowledge of key vendor application architecture and its various components.
• Gain expertise in the implementation of key vendor application changes via the configuration and migration processes.
• Attention to detail.
• Effective organization skills.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Demonstrated experience in leading diverse teams.
• Experience with strategic planning and execution.
• Project management certifications and/or formal project management training.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible IT project management experience with a sensitivity and commitment to business problem-solving.

Employer Highlights:

The Iowa Department of Revenue is a well-respected employer. We are focused on providing excellent customer service, while offering a wonderful team atmosphere, work-life balance, free parking, and casual attire. We offer a flexible working environment and opportunities to work from home with the ability to work from anywhere in the State of Iowa as long as it is your primary residence. We have a great total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC)
• Flexible Working Environment- Work from Home Opportunities
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

The mission of the Iowa Department of Revenue is to serve Iowans through the responsible collection and generation of revenue to support the public good. If you’re looking for a career with an organization that values its employees and customers, you’ve come to the right place.

Must pass a criminal background check, FBI fingerprinting, and be in compliance with Iowa tax filing requirements and willing to participate in the E-verify process.

Applicants must live within the State of Iowa to qualify for this position.

This position requires the ability to have an on-site presence as needed for planned meetings and collaborative work sessions.

Effective July 1st, 2025, all Department of Revenue staff and their household will not be able to play any Iowa Lottery games.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to six years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

2) Ten years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Six years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Four years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1 or comparable specific management-level position.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.