University Of Montana
Workforce Services Division Administrator
University Of Montana, Helena, Montana, United States, 59601
Division Administrator for Workforce Services
If you are passionate about building a results-driven, modern workforce system that works for everyone, and want to help lead Montana's momentum in education and workforce alignment
this executive leadership role is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. At the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), our mission is to empower every Montanan through work and opportunity. We are committed to building a workforce system where every Montanan has a pathway to a career
and a plan to achieve it! That means delivering services that are accessible, responsive, and effective for job seekers, students, and employers across every corner of our state. As Division Administrator for Workforce Services, you will steer the strategic implementation of Montana's statewide strategic workforce framework, overseeing major program realignment under new federal program changes. This position is a key member of DLI's Department Leadership team and plays a central role in transforming how DLI connects people to opportunity
and how we ensure Montana's workforce system works for everyone. This Administrator leads a team of over 225 professionals delivering workforce services across Montana, managing a budget of over $47 million in state and federal funds, and driving innovation that aligns with DLI's automation and modernization goals. Essential Functions: Serve as a change agent, utilizing organizational change management and transformational leadership abilities to drive strategic change, strengthen accountability and foster a positive, performance-driven culture that encourages collaboration, communication, and continuous growth. Lead the statewide strategic workforce strategy within DLI, focusing on labor force participation, seamless career pathways in high-demand industries, and system accountability to modernize the agency's approach to community-driven workforce solutions to overcome barriers to work. Oversee workforce program operations statewide, including staffing, budgeting, performance management, and continuous improvement. Shape policy and contribute to DLI legislative strategy in partnership with the Commissioner, the State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB), in support of the Governor's Office directives. Support employer successes through improved recruitment, work-based learning, and business services. Expand access to high-quality workforce programs, especially in rural, frontier, and tribal communities who have historically lacked access. Foster a customer-first culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence. Champion data-driven decisions by implementing performance metrics and using labor market intelligence to inform strategy and division policy. Maintains effective working relations with workforce system partners, co-workers, and the public. Educate external audiences on the Division's goals and outcomes by building trust-based relationships with key external stakeholders. Provide input, direction, advice, and disseminate information to stakeholders on behalf of the Department and Commissioner. Manages Division budget of $47,000,000 within state and federal funding source requirements. Participates in the Commissioner's Executive Planning Process, including budgetary requests and proposed legislation. Coordinates with the Director of the State Workforce Innovation Board to provide administrative and fiscal support to the SWIB. Implements policies, projects, and priorities recommended by the SWIB to the Governor and the Commissioner. Works as a part of the Leadership Team to develop proposals for statewide policy issues related to the workforce system. Ensures that policies and initiatives directed by the Commissioner and the Administration are implemented. Represent the Division during meetings and public forums. Represents the Division, the Commissioner, and DLI to legislative committees as directed by the Commissioner. Knowledge, Skills and Leadership Attributes: Proven ability to execute organizational change to align systems, people, and partners with executive leadership's strategic vision, with a focus on implementation, accountability, and measurable results. Deep knowledge of public policy, workforce and education programs, and the Montana legislative process. Experience managing large, diverse teams and complex service delivery operations. Proven ability to implement transformational change within government, education, and/or nonprofit sectors. Commitment to economic mobility and opportunity for all Montanans. Strong communication and relationship-building skills with legislators, partners, and community leaders. Comfort using data, performance metrics, and KPI's to track progress and drive improvement. Experience modernizing services through technology and operational redesign. Strong listening, leadership, and management skills. Demonstration and competence in providing stable leadership, vision and direction. Experience driving fundamental change within an organization, fostering a positive, performance-based goals and outcomes culture. Experience with the legislative process, testifying before legislative committees, and the executive budgeting process. Experience with geographically diverse staff and complex personnel actions and decisions. Knowledge and enthusiasm for workforce programs and helping workers and businesses improve employment situations. Considerable knowledge of economic conditions of the state; and management and decision-making processes including budgeting, accounting principles, practices and procedures, the legislative process, business and organization structures. Experience formulating and instituting metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track outcomes and prioritize organizational improvements. Experience building lasting, trust-based relationships with high-profile outside stakeholders, elected officials, senior executive branch leaders and legislators. Proven problem-solving expertise, including the ability to quickly digest complex information and situations, then communicate solutions to staff and leadership. The ability to use influence, persuasion, and stable guidance to achieve organizational goals. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management: Proven ability to lead complex programs or large teams through operational and cultural change. Experience developing and managing large public-sector budgets, including linking budget resources to programmatic outcomes and resource planning in a mission-driven environment. Competence in performance management, conflict resolution, and staff development. Ability to set and execute strategic goals in alignment with agency priorities and legislative mandates. Workforce System Expertise: Strong understanding of workforce development systems, labor market trends, and the role of public agencies in economic mobility. Familiarity with federal workforce programs such as WIOA, registered apprenticeship, labor exchange services. Experience designing or managing programs that service diverse populations, including youth, veterans, tribal communities, or individuals with barriers to employment. Policy and Partnership Development: Experience working with or within government systems to implement legislation, align programs, and develop effective public policy. Ability to engage and influence stakeholders from education, labor, business, and government sectors to drive coordinated outcomes. Comfort presenting to legislative committees, public boards, or community audiences. Data-Informed Decision Making: Skill in using program data, performance metrics, and labor market information to inform strategy, improve service delivery, and report outcomes. Experience in establishing or refining key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program success and accountability. Change Management and Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change initiatives, modernize services, or adopt new technologies to improve efficiency and impact. Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead teams through evolving priorities or cross-agency initiatives. Education and Experience Equivalency: Experience equivalent to 8 years in a senior leadership or executive management role in workforce development, education, public administration, or a related field. OR Experience equivalent to 8 years leading large-scale transformation efforts or managing statewide programs or policy portfolios, especially in a role requiring close partnership with high profile stakeholders from business, education, and labor organizations. OR A Masters degree in public administration, business, education, or a related field, combined with demonstrated success in related leadership roles. How to Apply for this Opportunity: A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents at the time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application, but the application will not be scored or reviewed. Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. Tip: When attaching your resume, cover letter or other
If you are passionate about building a results-driven, modern workforce system that works for everyone, and want to help lead Montana's momentum in education and workforce alignment
this executive leadership role is your opportunity to make a lasting impact. At the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), our mission is to empower every Montanan through work and opportunity. We are committed to building a workforce system where every Montanan has a pathway to a career
and a plan to achieve it! That means delivering services that are accessible, responsive, and effective for job seekers, students, and employers across every corner of our state. As Division Administrator for Workforce Services, you will steer the strategic implementation of Montana's statewide strategic workforce framework, overseeing major program realignment under new federal program changes. This position is a key member of DLI's Department Leadership team and plays a central role in transforming how DLI connects people to opportunity
and how we ensure Montana's workforce system works for everyone. This Administrator leads a team of over 225 professionals delivering workforce services across Montana, managing a budget of over $47 million in state and federal funds, and driving innovation that aligns with DLI's automation and modernization goals. Essential Functions: Serve as a change agent, utilizing organizational change management and transformational leadership abilities to drive strategic change, strengthen accountability and foster a positive, performance-driven culture that encourages collaboration, communication, and continuous growth. Lead the statewide strategic workforce strategy within DLI, focusing on labor force participation, seamless career pathways in high-demand industries, and system accountability to modernize the agency's approach to community-driven workforce solutions to overcome barriers to work. Oversee workforce program operations statewide, including staffing, budgeting, performance management, and continuous improvement. Shape policy and contribute to DLI legislative strategy in partnership with the Commissioner, the State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB), in support of the Governor's Office directives. Support employer successes through improved recruitment, work-based learning, and business services. Expand access to high-quality workforce programs, especially in rural, frontier, and tribal communities who have historically lacked access. Foster a customer-first culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence. Champion data-driven decisions by implementing performance metrics and using labor market intelligence to inform strategy and division policy. Maintains effective working relations with workforce system partners, co-workers, and the public. Educate external audiences on the Division's goals and outcomes by building trust-based relationships with key external stakeholders. Provide input, direction, advice, and disseminate information to stakeholders on behalf of the Department and Commissioner. Manages Division budget of $47,000,000 within state and federal funding source requirements. Participates in the Commissioner's Executive Planning Process, including budgetary requests and proposed legislation. Coordinates with the Director of the State Workforce Innovation Board to provide administrative and fiscal support to the SWIB. Implements policies, projects, and priorities recommended by the SWIB to the Governor and the Commissioner. Works as a part of the Leadership Team to develop proposals for statewide policy issues related to the workforce system. Ensures that policies and initiatives directed by the Commissioner and the Administration are implemented. Represent the Division during meetings and public forums. Represents the Division, the Commissioner, and DLI to legislative committees as directed by the Commissioner. Knowledge, Skills and Leadership Attributes: Proven ability to execute organizational change to align systems, people, and partners with executive leadership's strategic vision, with a focus on implementation, accountability, and measurable results. Deep knowledge of public policy, workforce and education programs, and the Montana legislative process. Experience managing large, diverse teams and complex service delivery operations. Proven ability to implement transformational change within government, education, and/or nonprofit sectors. Commitment to economic mobility and opportunity for all Montanans. Strong communication and relationship-building skills with legislators, partners, and community leaders. Comfort using data, performance metrics, and KPI's to track progress and drive improvement. Experience modernizing services through technology and operational redesign. Strong listening, leadership, and management skills. Demonstration and competence in providing stable leadership, vision and direction. Experience driving fundamental change within an organization, fostering a positive, performance-based goals and outcomes culture. Experience with the legislative process, testifying before legislative committees, and the executive budgeting process. Experience with geographically diverse staff and complex personnel actions and decisions. Knowledge and enthusiasm for workforce programs and helping workers and businesses improve employment situations. Considerable knowledge of economic conditions of the state; and management and decision-making processes including budgeting, accounting principles, practices and procedures, the legislative process, business and organization structures. Experience formulating and instituting metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track outcomes and prioritize organizational improvements. Experience building lasting, trust-based relationships with high-profile outside stakeholders, elected officials, senior executive branch leaders and legislators. Proven problem-solving expertise, including the ability to quickly digest complex information and situations, then communicate solutions to staff and leadership. The ability to use influence, persuasion, and stable guidance to achieve organizational goals. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): Strategic Leadership and Organizational Management: Proven ability to lead complex programs or large teams through operational and cultural change. Experience developing and managing large public-sector budgets, including linking budget resources to programmatic outcomes and resource planning in a mission-driven environment. Competence in performance management, conflict resolution, and staff development. Ability to set and execute strategic goals in alignment with agency priorities and legislative mandates. Workforce System Expertise: Strong understanding of workforce development systems, labor market trends, and the role of public agencies in economic mobility. Familiarity with federal workforce programs such as WIOA, registered apprenticeship, labor exchange services. Experience designing or managing programs that service diverse populations, including youth, veterans, tribal communities, or individuals with barriers to employment. Policy and Partnership Development: Experience working with or within government systems to implement legislation, align programs, and develop effective public policy. Ability to engage and influence stakeholders from education, labor, business, and government sectors to drive coordinated outcomes. Comfort presenting to legislative committees, public boards, or community audiences. Data-Informed Decision Making: Skill in using program data, performance metrics, and labor market information to inform strategy, improve service delivery, and report outcomes. Experience in establishing or refining key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program success and accountability. Change Management and Innovation: Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change initiatives, modernize services, or adopt new technologies to improve efficiency and impact. Ability to navigate ambiguity and lead teams through evolving priorities or cross-agency initiatives. Education and Experience Equivalency: Experience equivalent to 8 years in a senior leadership or executive management role in workforce development, education, public administration, or a related field. OR Experience equivalent to 8 years leading large-scale transformation efforts or managing statewide programs or policy portfolios, especially in a role requiring close partnership with high profile stakeholders from business, education, and labor organizations. OR A Masters degree in public administration, business, education, or a related field, combined with demonstrated success in related leadership roles. How to Apply for this Opportunity: A complete state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume, cover letter or other required documents at the time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application, but the application will not be scored or reviewed. Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process. Tip: When attaching your resume, cover letter or other