Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives New York State Thruway Authority provided pay range This range is provided by New York State Thruway Authority. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range $138,704.00/yr - $167,996.00/yr Description The Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives leads strategic planning and policy coordination efforts across the Thruway Authority. This position manages cross-functional initiatives, monitors external policy developments, and promotes continuous improvement. The incumbent will collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational goals and supports the implementation of strategic priorities through effective project and policy management. The incumbent will supervise staff within the Department of Strategic Management and will report directly to the Chief of Staff, Executive Deputy Director, and the Executive Director. Duties Description Serve as a direct liaison for the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff to the executive leadership team. Support the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff operational oversight, project management coordination, metric assessment, and milestone tracking. Represent the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff at meetings and external functions. Lead the development and implementation of the Authority’s strategic plan in collaboration with departments and divisions. Coordinate the preparation and publication of the annual strategic progress report. Facilitate strategic planning sessions and workshops with internal stakeholders. Supervise departmental staff, including task assignment, performance evaluations, and professional development. Oversee daily operations and ensure efficient resource allocation within the department. Manage and monitor strategic projects across various timelines, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Support change management activities, including stakeholder communications, readiness assessments, and adoption planning. Maintain and report strategic performance metrics; oversee dashboard development and data integrity. Collaborate with the Risk Management Unit to assess initiative impact and identify risks and opportunities. Integrate internal controls and enterprise management into the strategic planning process, plan, and annual update. Reduce redundancies across departments and streamline authority wide process and procedures. Promote cross-departmental collaboration and alignment of strategic efforts. Lead process improvement initiatives and recommend enhancements to operational workflows. Implement and lead project management across the authority and promote standardized project management practices and governance. Coordinate grant-related activities, including committee support, consultant oversight, and application tracking. Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and policy developments at local, state, and national levels. Collaborate with Legal and Governmental Affairs to assess compliance and strategic implications of policy changes. Participate in coalitions and working groups to align with external partners and amplify policy impact. Contribute to internal policy development and prepare reports and briefings to highlight senior leadership activities and strategic priorities. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, strategic planning/management, public affairs/communications, or a related field AND five years of experience in strategic planning, policy analysis, project management, program development, infrastructure assessment, or public administration. At least two years must have been in a managerial role. The Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following Experience Coordinating cross-functional initiatives and managing complex projects. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools. Working in a public sector environment (federal, state, or local). Familiarity with change management principles and performance measurement frameworks. Experience with grants management and external policy monitoring. Knowledge of New York State government operations and regulatory frameworks. Experience with Program Development and Critical Infrastructure. Substitutions: A master’s degree in public administration, business administration, strategic planning/management, public affairs/communications, or a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience. Additional Comments This is an Exempt, Management Confidential, position which does not gain tenure. The incumbent of this role will serve at will to the appointing authority. Benefits The NYS Thruway Authority offers an extensive benefits package, including but not limited to paid time off, sick leave incentive, membership to the NYS Retirement System, and 90% tuition assistance. We offer FREE onsite employee parking. Specific work hours can be discussed during the interview process. Our telecommuting program offers up to 20% (two days per pay period) upon completion of at least three months of satisfactory performance. Additional policy guidelines and work hours may be discussed during the interview. Additional Pay Information The salary range for this position includes all applicable annual components of pay which are: Base Pay Range from Hiring Rate $131,704 up to Job Rate $160,996. Recruitment & Retention Pay: $7,000. Eligibility For Employment All potential candidates for this position must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with the New York State Thruway Authority. If appointed, you will be required to produce documents that verify your identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act. Please be advised, the New York State Thruway Authority does not use eVerify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT). The New York State Thruway Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, familial status, citizen or immigration status, sex, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, prior arrests, prior conviction records, predisposing genetic characteristics or domestic violence victim status. The Thruway Authority is committed to a workplace free from discrimination based on the referenced characteristics and other federal and state protected characteristics. The New York State Thruway Authority provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Bureau of Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Employee Engagement at accommodations@thruway.ny.gov or call (518) 471-4321. #J-18808-Ljbffr