North Dakota Center For Distance Education

The Director of Strategic Operations is a key leadership role at the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE), responsible for overseeing the Business Manager, IT Manager, and Enrollment Team to ensure seamless integration of fiscal, IT, and enrollment functions in support of the organization's academic mission. This position ensures compliance with North Dakota State government policies and procedures, particularly those related to contracting, procurement, and budgeting, while fostering collaboration across departments to drive strategic initiatives. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in public education operations, particularly within North Dakota, and an understanding of how regulatory frameworks for public schools and state agencies align with NDCDE's unique operations. This role requires exceptional leadership, technological aptitude, and a proven ability to navigate complex government-regulated processes.

Minimum Qualifications

Educational Background: A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field. Government and Education Expertise: Minimum of five years of experience working in a government-regulated environment. At least three years of experience in a leadership or management role in public education or a government agency, with demonstrated knowledge of regulatory frameworks, procurement, and budgeting processes. Familiarity with legislative and government budgeting processes, including reporting and audits related to education or government operations. Leadership and Collaboration: Minimum of five years of supervisory experience, managing cross-functional teams that include finance, IT, or enrollment operations. Proven ability to foster collaboration among diverse teams and across departments to achieve organizational goals. Strategic and Operational Expertise: At least five years of experience managing budgets of comparable size and complexity, including responsibility for forecasting, planning, and reporting. At least three years of experience developing and implementing workflows or operational processes in finance, IT, or enrollment to improve efficiency and service quality. Minimum of three years of experience managing operations during high-demand or peak periods, with demonstrated success in contingency planning and resource allocation. Technology Proficiency: At least three years of experience managing or working directly with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar platforms. Familiarity with IT security practices, system integration, and data visualization tools like Power BI. Experience overseeing or coordinating with IT teams to align technology initiatives with organizational goals and compliance standards. Education Operations Knowledge: Minimum of three years of experience in public education operations, including customer service delivery to schools, students, or families. Proven ability to align operational processes with academic priorities to support student success and organizational goals. Communication and Problem-Solving Skills: At least five years of experience communicating complex financial, operational, or technical information to diverse audiences, including executive leadership and external stakeholders. Demonstrated success in problem-solving, with at least three years of experience analyzing data and implementing innovative solutions in a comparable role.

Preferred Qualifications

Educational Background: A master's degree in a business-related field with a financial emphasis, such as a Master of Finance, Master of Accounting, or MBA with a finance concentration. North Dakota-Specific Knowledge: Direct experience with North Dakota's education systems and state government operations, including procurement, budgeting, compliance within its regulatory framework. Familiarity with education-specific IT systems, such as student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS), within North Dakota Certifications: Relevant certifications in procurement, financial management, or IT systems (e.g., PMP, CPA, ITIL) are highly desirable.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore RooseveltMore than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Application Procedures

Applicants are screened based on qualifications, online screening questions, an interview, and a background and criminal investigation. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. All application materials must be received on or before the closing date by 11:59 pm and must include the following documents: Cover letter with a summary that clearly explains how the applicant's work experience is related to the and minimum qualifications. Resume Three professional references College transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) Complete CDE online application Anyone needing assistance or accommodation during any part of the application or interview process please contact Laurie Tuma at 701.298.4852 or ndcde.hr@k12.nd.us. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 1.800.366.6888. Learn more about CDE at https://www.cde.nd.gov/

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.