Chief Workforce Officer
Date Posted: Feb 3, 2026
Requisition ID: 471882
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) :
Our mission is to develop a premier workforce that will allow Indiana employers to flourish and entice businesses from outside our state to relocate to Indiana. Everyone at DWD will be required to think outside-the-box; to determine metrics that will allow for measurement and improvement and efficiencies to be made along the way. Cutting-edge technologies will be utilized to help assess Indiana's employment future. If managed properly, Indiana's workforce will be second to none and completely prepared for the next phase of the state and country's economic growth.
Role Overview:
The Chief Workforce Officer (CWO) serves as an executive leader within the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), responsible for setting the strategic vision and driving operational excellence of the state's primary labor and talent initiatives in alignment with the Governor's, Office of Commerce, and DWD's priorities. The role is responsible for ensuring that federal and state programs efficiently and effectively bridge the gap between employer needs and job-seeker skills to drive sustainable economic growth. In this high impact role, the CWO leads a dedicated team of more than 200 professional staff located throughout Indiana, fostering a culture of innovation, customer service, accountability, and performance. The CWO oversees a complex portfolio of state and federal grant funding exceeding $100 million annually, including but not limited to: the administration of core U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) programs such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth programs; Adult Education and Literacy; Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA); Wagner Peyser Employment Services; Jobs for Veterans State Grant; and Registered Apprenticeships. The position is responsible for ensuring strict regulatory compliance, maximizing ROI for taxpayers, and leveraging data-driven insights to refine program delivery and expand access to high-quality employment and training programs. The CWO reports directly to the DWD Commissioner and serves as a member of the agency's executive leadership team working across all divisions to develop and communicate a strategic vision, scope, and mission to achieve desired outcomes.
Please include a cover letter in your application.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $120,016.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Reviews and evaluates organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement;
Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program;
Provides guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules;
Supervises subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action;
Monitors agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections;
Communicates with news and other media and responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner;
Coordinates with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.);
Coordinates, reviews and evaluates the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency;
Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development;
Sets expectations, measures progress, provides ongoing feedback, and evaluates the performance of employees. Ensures work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have either
a Master's Degree and 9+ years of experience, or
a Bachelor's Degree and 11+ years of experience, or
an Associate's Degree and 13+ years of experience, or
at least 15+ years of experience applying the below, outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.
Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices;
Thorough knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation;
Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes;
Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders;
Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations;
Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations;
Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels;
Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. perceives the impact and implications of decisions;
Ability to identify problems. determine accuracy and relevance of information. use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations;
Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow;
Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.
Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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