IT Strategy Manager

Job Description and Duties

Telework is available.

Under the general direction of the Deputy Director of Statewide Technology Policy and Strategic Management, the Information Technology Manager I (IT Mgr I) serves as a primary statewide strategic management advisor responsible for monitoring statewide technology roadmap progress, coordinating statewide reporting, and supporting the development of annual statewide technology planning products. The IT Mgr I collaborates with Agency Information Officers (AIOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), and governance bodies to ensure statewide visibility into progress, trends, and challenges across all roadmap initiatives.

Telework
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule within California based on departmental policy and operational needs. The telework policy is subject to change depending on business needs, and/or reporting to the work site may be required with minimal notification given. Pursuant to Executive Order, effective July 1, 2025, employees in this position will be required to report to the work site a minimum of two (2) days per week, increasing to four (4) days per week effective July 1, 2026. The specific on-site days will be determined by the department based on operational requirements.

Visa Sponsorship
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You must provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Each individual response must be numbered and include the full text of the numbered items prior to your response. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. Limit your SOQ to a maximum of three (3) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

The SOQ serves as a key component of the examination and hiring process and will be used to evaluate your qualifications, as well as your written communication skills. The SOQ is considered a writing sample and must clearly reflect your own knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience. While tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g., ChatGPT), internet resources, or third-party reviewers may assist with research or preparation, by submitting your application you certify that your SOQ is your original work, written in your own words, and accurately represents your background and qualifications. Failure to submit an SOQ that is your own work, including the use of AI-generated or substantially AI-assisted responses that misrepresent your abilities, may result in disqualification from the examination or hiring process. If such misrepresentation is discovered after appointment, it may constitute dishonesty and could result in adverse action, up to and including dismissal from State service.

1. Strategic Roadmap Monitoring and Analysis Experience Requirement: Describe your experience monitoring and tracking complex, multi-departmental strategic initiatives or roadmaps. Include a specific example of how you identified trends, risks, or dependencies that required executive attention.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic dvisory Experience Requirement: Describe your experience working with senior leaders (Directors, Chiefs, CIOs) on strategic matters. Provide a specific example of a time when you facilitated alignment among stakeholders with competing priorities or helped leadership navigate a complex decision.

3. Written and Verbal Communication Experience Requirement: This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop executive briefing materials, strategic reports, and presentations. Describe your experience developing written communications or presentations for senior leaders. What's your approach to making complex information clear and compelling?

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge of how technology strategy supports public-sector service delivery, equity, accessibility, and risk management.
• Awareness of industry best practices and frameworks relevant to statewide strategic management alignment, development, and reporting.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with experience preparing executive briefings, issue papers, concept documents, and presentation materials.
• Strong verbal communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to support discussions with senior leaders, Agency Information Officers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries without formal authority.
• Experience working with multiple departments, agencies, or large stakeholder groups to gather input and assess alignment.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to plan and sequence work, manage timelines, track deliverables, and coordinate across multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Experience managing statewide or large-scale survey processes, including instrument design, stakeholder communication, data collection logistics, response tracking, and synthesis of findings into executive-ready reporting.
• Experience supporting statewide performance monitoring, including maintaining dashboards, progress logs, and analytic summaries tied to strategic roadmap objectives.
• Familiarity with governance body reporting requirements, including preparation of materials for bodies such as the State Technology Council (STC) or analogous executive oversight bodies.
• Prior experience in state government, large public-sector organizations, or highly regulated environments is highly desirable.
• Ability to build trust and credibility as a subject-matter expert while respecting governance and decision-making boundaries.
• Strong understanding of statewide or large-enterprise IT governance models, policy development processes, and regulatory environments.
• Prior experience in state government, large public-sector organizations, or highly regulated environments is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of enterprise and public-sector information technology concepts, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, data governance, digital services, and emerging technology trends
• Experience supporting executive leadership through analysis, research, or strategic advisory work.
• Background in roles emphasizing strategy, analysis, governance, or policy support rather than operational management.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Application Instructions

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

Applicants who wish to submit hard copy applications shall use the most current version of the State Application (STD. 678) revised 10/2023. The position number and job control number must be identified in the job title line of the STD 678 (these numbers will auto-populate in the job title of the STD 678 if submitting an electronic application through CalCareers Account). The hard copy application MUST be signed. Applicants who fail to submit the most current version of the STD. 678 may be disqualified.

Note: Applications MUST include the “From dates“ and “To” dates, “Hours Per Week”, and “Duties Performed” fields for all job listed in the “Employment History” fields, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles). Applications that are submitted blank will be considered incomplete. Reference to a resume in place of a description of the duties will not be accepted. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Please note that the CalCareer system will not allow you to make changes to your application information once it is submitted. For all other questions regarding your CalHR CalCareer account, you may contact the CalCareer Unit at (866) 844-8671.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Required. Please see “Special Requirements” section for further information.