IT Accessibility Director

IT Accessibility Director

The Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) plans and executes fiscal and administrative policies that serve to ensure the financial stability, efficiency, and effectiveness of state government. A&F IT is a unit under the Executive Office for Administration & Finance (A&F) and is overseen by the Secretariat Chief Information Officer (SCIO). A&F IT is a team of approximately 300 skilled and committed IT professionals who develop and maintain technical solutions that address business challenges for Executive Office of Administration and Finance agencies.

Position Overview: As the Executive Office for Administration & Finance's first IT Accessibility Director, you will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, Secretariat-wide digital accessibility and equity adoption program, aligned with the statewide strategic plan under Executive Order No. 614. Collaborating closely with the Executive team, the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) Chief IT Accessibility Officer, and agency leadership, you will develop and implement organizational accessibility policies, strategies, and roadmaps.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about creating accessible digital solutions that enhance public service delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead the development and execution of a Secretariat-wide digital accessibility and equity adoption program, working closely with the Executive Team and the EOTSS Chief Accessibility Officer to ensure the successful implementation of accessibility roadmap for all A&F agencies.
2. Partner with Chief IT Accessibility Officers, IT Accessibility Officers, and stakeholders from other secretariats to ensure cohesive and effective implementation of accessibility strategies.
3. Embed accessibility and equity requirements into software development processes, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, including IT leadership and procurement teams, are actively engaged in meeting accessibility standards.
4. Ensure that accessibility requirements are integrated into governance decisions, procurement processes, and all stages of the development lifecycle to promote inclusive and compliant solutions.
5. Track progress and milestones for internal and external digital assets to contribute to a statewide accessibility and equity dashboard and reporting requirements.
6. Collaborate with legal and procurement teams to integrate accessibility requirements into contracts and vendor relationships, ensuring compliance and accountability throughout all engagements.
7. Collaborate with EOTSS and IT Accessibility Officers from each secretariat to identify training needs and implement a role-based training program.
8. Collaborate with IT management to drive accessibility opportunities, resolve roadblocks, and track metrics, while assessing gaps in accessibility practices and designing strategies to close them, including implementing training and testing support.
9. Advise senior leadership on strategies to enhance digital accessibility and equity, while influencing key decision-makers to prioritize and integrate accessibility across all digital programs and services.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. 7-10 years’ experience in a senior-level accessibility role, including management experience.
2. IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) Certification a plus, but not required.
3. Knowledge and understanding of state and national accessibility laws and standards for digital resources including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements, WAI-ARIA, and Section 508 standards.
4. Demonstrated commitment to resolving digital accessibility and equity issues.
5. Exposure to designing and user interface development processes with inclusive design using modern technologies and constituent research data.
6. Experience in automated, manual, and functional accessibility testing.
7. Proven ability to influence leadership and stakeholders on the importance of digital accessibility.
8. Strong collaboration skills, with a focus on relationship-building across multiple departments.
9. Analytical mindset with the ability to gather, assess, and analyze complex data to drive decision-making.
10. Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying complex ideas to various audiences.

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 supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

1. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
2. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
3. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
4. 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: Information Systems and Technology *Organization: Exec Office of Administration and Finance *Title: IT Accessibility Director *Location: Massachusetts-Chelsea-200 Arlington Street *Requisition ID: 240008TA