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The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking Chief Strategy and Data Officer in the Secretary's Office!

AGENCY MISSION:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is responsible for building more homes and lowering housing costs across the Commonwealth through partnerships with municipalities, housing authorities, and community stakeholders.

OVERVIEW

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking a Chief Strategy and Data Officer to help shape and advance the Commonwealth's housing strategy through data, research, innovation, and operational excellence.

Serving as a key advisor to the Secretary, the Chief Strategy and Data Officer will lead efforts to strengthen how EOHLC uses data and evidence to understand housing needs, develop policy solutions, establish goals, measure progress, and improve outcomes for residents. The Chief will oversee a multidisciplinary Strategy Team responsible for policy research and development, data strategy, constituent experience, and operational transformation.

The Chief will work across divisions and with state agencies, municipalities, researchers, academic institutions, technology partners, and other stakeholders to build stronger data capabilities, modernize systems and services, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic thinking, analytical rigor, organizational leadership, and an ability to translate complex information into practical solutions. This role is well suited for a leader who is motivated by public impact and excited about using data, policy, technology, and organizational change to address one of Massachusetts' most significant challenges.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPOSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)

The Chief Strategy and Data Officer will provide strategic leadership across EOHLC's data, research, policy, constituent experience, and operational transformation functions. Key responsibilities include:

1.      Lead EOHLC's data strategy. Develop, implement, and continually strengthen a Secretariat-wide approach to data, including data governance, infrastructure, reporting, dashboards, analytical tools, and management information used to support policy and operational decision-making.

2.      Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership. Advise the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and other senior leaders on data-driven policy analysis, operations, housing trends, emerging issues, and opportunities for action.

3.      Direct research and policy development. Oversee quantitative and qualitative research, special reports, critical datasets, demographic projections, housing-demand forecasts, housing-production targets, program evaluation, the development of evidence-based policy recommendations and the work of technical staff charged with complex and often imperfect joins of administrative, commercial, census, and GIS data to yield novel insight for policy makers.

4.      Lead agency-wide transformation initiatives. Oversee high-priority projects involving new business processes, software applications, data practices, and technology-enabled services, working closely with IT, EOTSS, external vendors, and EOHLC divisions.

5.      Improve the constituent experience. Guide efforts to make EOHLC's customer-facing websites, applications, and services easier and more effective for residents, including online services that span multiple divisions.

6.      Advance performance and accountability. Partner with executive leadership to establish performance measurement frameworks, housing goals, operational metrics, and mechanisms for tracking and communicating progress.

7.      Build organizational capacity. Strengthen EOHLC's ability to use data and technology effectively by identifying training, professional development, hiring, and technical-readiness needs and by fostering knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the organization.

8.      Lead and develop the Strategy Team. Provide direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development for staff working across research and policy development, constituent experience, and operational transformation.

9.      Develop external partnerships. Build relationships with municipalities, regional planning agencies, academic and research institutions, housing and community-development organizations, and other partners to expand EOHLC's research and analytical capacity and strengthen data-informed decision-making.

10.   Promote innovation and continuous improvement. Help create a culture of inquiry, transparency, adaptability, and collaboration, identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, services, and outcomes across EOHLC.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative leader who can translate data, research, and policy into action. Preferred qualifications include:

1.      Demonstrated expertise in data analysis, policy analysis, research, and program evaluation, including quantitative and qualitative methods.

2.      Demonstrated experience overseeing technical staff using GIS and statistical software (Esri, Qgis, Rstudio, Python, SQL) to create new data products and analytics for decision-making and merging data from administrative, commercial, census, and GIS sources to yield novel insight for policy-makers.  

3.      Strong knowledge of the Massachusetts housing landscape and policy environment.

4.      Ability to translate abstract policy concerns into actionable research questions and analytical methods that can be implemented by technical staff; and the ability to translate the results of this technical analysis into policy-relevant findings.  

5.      Experience developing data strategies, governance practices, reporting systems, and analytical tools to support decision-making.

6.      Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives, including organizational transformation, process improvement, and change management.

7.      Familiarity with user-centered design, modern software delivery, and agile project management.

8.      Strong leadership and relationship-building skills, with experience managing teams and collaborating across government, research, community, and other stakeholder organizations.

9.      Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information for senior leaders and diverse audiences.

10.   Excellent judgment and discretion, with the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and work effectively with a high degree of independence.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

PRE-OFFER PROCESS:

A background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

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:

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.