Special Assistant (Working Title: Senior Director of Operations)

Position InformationNY HELP: NoAgency: Empire State Development, NYS Title: Special Assistant (Working Title: Senior Director of Operations)Occupational Category: Other Professional CareersSalary Grade: NSBargaining Unit: M/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)Salary Range: From $103870 to $131298 Annually Employment Type : Full-Time Appointment Type : Permanent Jurisdictional Class : Exempt Class Travel Percentage : 10%Schedule Workweek : Mon-FriHours Per Week : 37.5Workday From : 9 AM To : 5 PM Flextime allowed? : No Mandatory overtime? : No Compressed workweek allowed? : No Telecommuting allowed? : NoLocation County : New York Street Address : 5 Grand Central East : City : New York State: NY Zip Code: 10017Job Specifics Duties Description : The Sr. Director of Operations serves as the head of the Division’s administrative services and its financial and operational systems. The selected candidate will be charged with the oversight and administration of the Division’s personnel, fiscal, and training units. This role ensures that the Division has the necessary resources, processes, and personnel to effectively certify MWBEs, advocate for their utilization in State contracting, and maintain compliance with Article 15-A of Executive Law.Duties include but are not limited to:•Administer DMWBD’s entire operations support program.•In collaboration with the EVP of the Division, oversee the Division’s strategic planning, development, and implementation of work programs, priorities, scheduling/coordination of major projects and activities with other divisions, bureaus, and State agencies.•Manage all Division funding and contracts.•In collaboration with the Executive Director, work with the Executive Chamber and ESD Finance to manage the Division’s annual budget, track expenditures, and forecast the Division’s future financial needs.•Oversee the lifecycle of Division contracts, including third-party vendors providing technical assistance or IT support for the MWBE certification system.•Serve as the liaison between the DMWBD and ESD’s Division of Administration.•Assist in developing management plans to measure the performance of subordinate areas of operation; identify strengths and weaknesses in existing procedures; assist in the development and implementation of new and improved procedures.•Coordinate the activities of subordinate staff to ensure that policies, procedures, and standards are applied consistently, and that management and administrative practices of the operational sections are handled in accordance with the policies established by the EVP.•Direct the operational onboarding of new staff and coordinate with section supervisors to ensure that office resource allocations align with evolving departmental priorities.•Coordinate and participate in training activities, ensuring that necessary training is identified and available, and coordinate employee nomination and attendance.•Provide managerial support to section supervisors and provide guidance, as needed.•Represent the Division in meetings with other agencies, vendors, and stakeholders. Minimum Qualifications : Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field. A master’s degree (MBA or MPA) is highly preferred.Professional Experience Requirements: A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in operations management, public administration, or procurement.• At least two (2) years in a senior leadership or supervisory capacity within a government agency or a large, complex organization.• Proven experience managing departmental budgets and overseeing high-volume procurement/requisition processes. Substitutions: • A master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience.• A Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.Knowledge Requirements:• In-depth understanding of New York State procurement laws and Article 15-A.• Strong familiarity with the Statewide Financial System (SFS) or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills. Additional Comments : SALARY RANGE: $103,870 - $131,298 (plus $4,000 location pay if the position is filled in NYC)Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.How to Apply Name : Gabby Serafin Telephone : View phone number on click.appcast.io Fax : Email Address : View email address on click.appcast.io Street : 625 Broadway: City : Albany State : NY Zip Code : 12245Notes on Applying: If interested in this position, please forward a cover letter and resume to the e-mail address below by September 3, 2026. Be sure to indicate the position title and location you are applying for and specify how you meet the minimum qualifications in your cover letter.INQUIRENYS Department of Economic DevelopmentHuman Resources Office625 BroadwayAlbany, NY 12245Fax: (518) 292-5852E-Mail: View email address on click.appcast.io York State is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.