Deputy Administrator of Operations

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at:

MISSION STATEMENT:
Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

DLI CORE VALUES:

• Responsiveness
• Respect
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Cohesiveness

It's about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here.

BENEFITS:

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity Our mountains, waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs, rodeos, and theaters. Read more about our great state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. These are some of our benefits just to name a few:

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave: You'll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP - click here to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% %25 of your annual salary.  A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. – Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click here to learn more
• Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.

This position may be eligible for a statutory 2.5%25 base pay increase effective on July 1, 2026.

*This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) is seeking a Deputy Administrator of Operations to lead the internal operations, data strategy, and performance management functions within the Workforce Services Division (WSD). This key leadership position also provides strategic oversight for the Data and Operations Bureau, ensuring the Division's systems, reporting tools, and operational processes effectively support its mission of empowering Montanans through work and opportunity.

The Deputy Administrator of Operations serves as the Division's principal leader for labor market information, data governance, and performance accountability. This position ensures that internal operations run efficiently, workforce programs are well-coordinated, and leadership across state and local levels have access to accurate data and insights to guide decision-making. The role works closely with the State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB), other state agencies, legislators, and business partners to advance the 406 JOBS plan and evaluate the impact of workforce training and education efforts across Montana.

Essential Functions

The Deputy Administrator of Operations will:

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for all internal operational processes within the Workforce Services Division, ensuring alignment between administrative, programmatic, and data-driven functions.
• Direct and oversee the Data and Operations Bureau, including labor market research, data analysis, and the development and refinement of public dashboards, economic reports, and performance measures that inform state workforce policy.
• Oversee internal division implementation of Montana's 406 JOBS Initiative including programmatic, reporting, and evaluative strategies.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen data quality, consistency, and accessibility across division systems, ensuring compliance with state and federal standards, and data privacy and security best practices.
• Coordinate and manage data-sharing partnerships with other state agencies and education entities to enable comprehensive evaluation of workforce program implementation and impact. 
• Oversee the development and maintenance of reporting tools, dashboards, and analytic platforms that provide actionable insights for business leaders, legislators, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with SWIB and agency leadership to evaluate the implementation and results of the 406 JOBS plan, recommending improvements based on outcome data and performance metrics.
• Guide staff in project planning, prioritization, and operational problem-solving to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
• Represent the Division in legislative and interagency settings, serving as a trusted source for data-informed discussion, reporting, and policy development.
• Supervise bureau leaders, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.
   

Required Skills & Competencies

Candidates must demonstrate the abilities in:

• Leadership and Organizational Management: Leading complex teams focused on data and operations; setting goals, managing performance, and promoting professional growth among staff.
• Data and Performance Management: Overseeing the design, analysis, and presentation of labor market and program data for strategic decision-making and public transparency.
• Systems and Operations Management: Evaluating workflows, operational systems, and performance metrics; implementing process improvements to drive division efficiency.
• Public Speaking and Presentation Leadership: Delivering engaging presentations and briefings to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, legislators, and community stakeholders; translating technical and operational insights into compelling, accessible narratives that support informed decision-making.
• Strategic Communication: Communicating complex data and operational insights effectively to internal staff, executives, legislators, and the public through written, visual, and oral formats.
• Cross-Agency Collaboration: Building and managing partnerships with state agencies, education entities, and external stakeholders to align data practices and program evaluation.
• Analytical and Critical Thinking: Leading technical teams responsible for interpreting complex datasets, synthesizing findings, and making evidence-based recommendations that influence workforce policy and resource allocation.
• Adaptability and Integrity: Leading through change with transparency and professionalism while maintaining compliance with all applicable data security and confidentiality standards.
   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate:

• Progressively responsible leadership experience in operations management, data analytics, public administration, or workforce development, typically acquired through at least five (5) years of management or supervisory experience.
• Experience leading teams in data reporting, program evaluation, or performance management, with demonstrated results in improving organizational efficiency and data accessibility.
• Experience interpreting and presenting labor market data or workforce outcomes to executive, legislative, or external audiences.
• Familiarity with data governance practices, systems integration, and state or federal reporting requirements in a public-sector context.
• Proven record of collaboration across agencies or sectors, preferably in workforce, education, or economic development domains.

A Master's degree in economics, data science, or a closely related field may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.

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 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 required documents you must mark the attachments as "RELEVANT" or we will be unable to view your documents.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• Resume - include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position, including duties, dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online, you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents.

If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.