Role Overview:

The Deputy Director/Commissioner serves as a senior executive leader responsible for driving agency-wide strategy, organizational effectiveness, and high-impact initiatives by providing vision, direction, and oversight for programs central to the agency's operational and public-facing success. Acting as a key advisor to the Commissioner, the role translates executive priorities into actionable plans, ensures alignment with statewide workforce and economic development goals, and fosters strong relationships with internal leaders, government partners, and external stakeholders. This position oversees major strategic functions-including outreach, communications, legislative coordination, special projects, and cross-agency initiatives-while building high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Deputy Director/Commissioner anticipates challenges, evaluates program outcomes, makes data-informed decisions, and ensures resources, policies, and operations support long-term goals, serving as a central connector across divisions and a key member of senior leadership.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $120,016.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Reviews and evaluates organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program.
• Provides guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules.
• Supervises subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action.
• Monitors agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections.
• Communicates with news and other media and responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner.
• Coordinates with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.).
• Coordinates, reviews and evaluates the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency.
• Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
• Sets expectations, measures progress, provides ongoing feedback, and evaluates the performance of employees. Ensures work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
• Thorough knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.
• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders.
• Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
• Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.
• Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
• Ability to identify problems. determine accuracy and relevance of information. use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
• Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
• Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

A degree is not required. However, at least 15+ years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Current Employee? Click here to apply.