Deputy Director of Leave Policy Administration - State of Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department is one of the state's largest employers with approximately 50,000 employees that span eleven Secretariats and more than 70 agencies. The Commonwealth hires employees in all possible types of roles in a vast array of sectors including healthcare, transportation, education, public safety and technology. We are a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse population that we serve. The Human Resources Division (HRD) is an agency within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. HRD provides support to state agencies in all matters relating to the Commonwealth's classification, compensation, benefits, recruitment, training & employee development, civil rights, collective bargaining and workers compensation administration. The Office of Leave Policy Administration (OLPA) is a unit within HRD which administers a comprehensive set of family and medical leave benefits for state employees in the Executive Department. *Position Overview:* HRD is seeking a*Deputy Director of Leave Policy Administration*to join the OLPA team. This new position, which reports directly to the Director of Leave Policy Administration, is an exciting opportunity to develop OLPA’s inaugural team of top-tier leave management specialists. Most importantly, the person selected for this role will be a key decision-maker in creating a top-tier employee experience for Executive Department employees who need to access the valuable family and medical leave benefits of their state employment. This position requires exceptional people management skills and a proven track record of leave administration experience, ideally within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and/or a unionized environment. Because this is a hybrid position, the ideal candidate must be able to collaborate effectively in both virtual and in-person environments. *Primary Duties:* * Directly oversees duties, performance, and professional development of OLPA’s Leave Administration Managers. * Provide effective leadership and mentorship to team members, including regular performance feedback. * Implements and monitors quality assurance programs pertaining to leave management. * Exercises independent judgment and demonstrates strategic thinking in developing and implementing long-range plans and operating under broad mission guidance from executive leadership. * Ensures clear, timely and effective communication with the Executive Branch agencies around leave management matters and/or programmatic updates. * Works closely with the Director to oversee OLPA and its relationship with Executive Branch agency HR staff on matters of family and medical leave. * Reviews leave policies and standard operating procedures presented by Leave Administration Managers and incorporate into OLPA’s and HRD’s strategic goals, as necessary. * Revise and enhance Executive Department Family and Medical Leave Handbook, standard operating procedures, job aids, and other OLPA resources based on operational needs, stakeholder feedback, Leave Administration Managers’ recommendations, and policy/legislative changes. * Represents OLPA, when necessary, at various internal and external meetings. * Act as a back-up to the Director of OLPA in their absence, assuming responsibility for overall department inquiries. * Monitor national trends and best practices related to family and medical leave administration. * All other duties, as assigned. * Preferred Qualifications: * * Experience working in a unionized environment. * Proven track record of leading, motivating, and supervising diverse teams. * Ability to multi-task effectively and adjust to changing priorities, work processes and responsibilities. * Ability to design and develop implementation workflows. * Ability to coordinate and direct project activities. * Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information. * Ability to problem solve, use deductive and inductive reasoning, and apply critical thinking skills to complex matters. * Knowledge of project management and business planning. * Ability to establish rapport and maintain harmonious working relationships with others. * Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures and maintain accurate records. * Abilities to write concisely and effectively, to express thoughts clearly, and to develop ideas in logical sequence. * Ability to make effective oral presentation; ability to communicate effectively in oral expression. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. _*Comprehensive Benefits*_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.* The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Human Resources* Organization: Human Resources Division* Title: *Deputy Director of Leave Policy Administration* Location: *Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street* Requisition ID: *240009B6*