As the Deputy Director of Data Operations Strategy, you will be the key leader that advises the State Chief Data Officer on the technology landscape and a strategic approach to ensuring departments have the tools and skills to leverage data at scale. You will help departments move from one-off, ad hoc use of data, to ongoing operational use of data, bringing both technical acumen and knowledge of data challenges to deliver services that meet departments where they are. You will identify common barriers to operational and ongoing access to data within and across departments and recommend strategic initiatives or policy and program interventions to the State Chief Data Officer.
Your work will have a direct impact on departments through client projects as well as at scale through partnerships with the California Department of Technology. You will need to develop and maintain strong relationships with State data and technology leaders as you chart a course for improved data operations across the state.
You will lead a team of data, analytics, and platform engineering professionals supporting the Office of Data and Innovation. Your team sits under the CalData Division of ODI, which is led by the State Chief Data Officer. Your colleagues draw from a variety of data, technology, engineering, product, policy, and user research backgrounds
About you: You are user-driven. You identify and solve data users’ pain points to ensure the success of any data policy, process, or standard. The following describes you:
- You are passionate about improving analytics at scale.
- You enjoy managing a portfolio of programs and are adept at identifying opportunities to multiply impact across them.
- You can think both systematically about program structure and connect empathetically with the users of those programs.
- You enjoy working across entities to coordinate and align work.
- You thrive on managing complex meeting dynamics and stakeholder relationships.
- You have a successful track record of managing cross-entity work.
- You love getting hands-on data and analytics work to create change but love even more helping others.
- You are passionate about improving use of data across the state of California
Location: ODI staff reside throughout California. The employee’s workstation is located in Sacramento, CA, or Oakland, CA. Travel to the Sacramento headquarters may be required as needed. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies. We are currently in- office 2 days a week and teleworking 3 days.
Annual salary: $158,364-$177,372 based on experience and qualifications
Benefits: The state offers many benefits, including pension, health benefits (including after retirement), life insurance, employee assistance program, and much more.
Appointment: This position is appointed by the Governor of California.
Last day to apply: Until filled.
What you’ll do
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Desirable qualifications
We encourage you to apply regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of the desirable qualifications.
- At least five (5) years of relevant experience in data engineering, software engineering, or analytics leadership
- Professional experience leading software or data engineering projects
- Proven track record of data-driven decision making and successful completion of engagements
- Strong presence and strategic judgment.
- Excellent communication, team facilitation, and presentation skills for an executive-level audience
- Experience in solving structural and systematic data problems at scale and the ability to adapt across the ever-evolving data space.
- Experience advising executive leaders on technical options or alternatives
- Knowledge of emerging trends in technology that influence the effective and ethical use of data (including but not limited to GenAI, AI, data platforms).
- Ability to present ideas and concepts and work persuasively with colleagues.
- Highly analytical and skilled in problem-solving.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Highly entrepreneurial and curious with the ability to take initiative and think holistically and strategically
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and work in cross-functional team structures.
About CalData division
The mission of the Office of the Chief Data Officer, which directs the CalData Division, is to empower use of data by ensuring the state has the infrastructure, processes, and people to manage, access, and use data efficiently, effectively, securely, and responsibly. By acting on our mission, we will realize our vision of better decisions, services, and outcomes for Californians through better use of data. Read more about our strategy.
About ODI
We deliver better services to Californians through technology and design. We do so through close partnership with other state departments. Our goal is to create programs and products that are more equitable and effective. We listen to Californians who use a program now or may do so tomorrow and learn about what they need.
We:
- Build tools and products
- Create and enhance digital services
- Conduct research
- Identify data solutions
- Offer training
We are a cross-discipline staff with blended backgrounds in:
- Design
- Engineering
- Product
- Operations
- Data
- Research
- Policy
- Strategy
Learn more about ODI’s vision and mission.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion at ODI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion help us deliver better government services to Californians.
- Fostering diversity inspires better ideas and more innovative thinking.
- Feeling included nurtures a shared sense of community. This drives us to take collective action on challenging problems.
- Prioritizing equity ensures we build solutions for people whose needs are often overlooked.
We acknowledge our history and present of implicit and structural injustice, bias, and discrimination. We see, hear, and accept each other and the lived experiences we bring to our work. We support each other in learning and developing so we can help all Californians thrive.