Director of Business Experience

The New Jersey State Office of Innovation

The New Jersey State Office of Innovation is looking for diverse and experienced team members to deploy world-class innovative and digital services that solve pressing public interest challenges for the people of New Jersey. Our work spans numerous issue and policy areas, and is focused on making an impact in the lives of the New Jerseyans that we serve. Our work has decreased the amount of time it takes to apply for Unemployment Insurance, made it easier to start, operate, and grow a business in the Garden State, and connected millions of New Jerseyans to government programs, services, and benefits.

Our team members wear many hats, contributing to both the execution of core projects and the evolution of the Office of Innovation (OOI). We use data and modern research, design, and development methods to inform our decision making, and we collaborate with stakeholders within and outside of government to understand and solve challenges. To learn more about the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, read our inaugural impact report here and visit our About Us page.

The Business Experience Initiative is a cross-agency effort launched under the Governor’s 2018 Stronger and Fairer Economic Plan to simplify starting, operating, and growing a business in New Jersey. The Director of Business Experience oversees the execution and prioritization of products such as Business.NJ.gov, the Business.NJ.gov Account, and Business.NJ.gov Live Chat. This role involves directing resource distribution and building stakeholder partnerships to enhance the user experience. In collaboration with 13 state agencies, the director develops and refines tools to streamline business interactions with the state, enhancing efficiency and autonomy throughout the initiative.

We are seeking candidates with a minimum of eight years of relevant experience who can effectively integrate strategic vision with practical execution. Successful candidates will have developed innovative, user-centered products that demonstrate an understanding of the interconnected roles played by state requirements, user experience, design, and content in enhancing service delivery. Experience in employing agile and human-centered processes, particularly within government or civic technology domains, is essential.

This role will report to the Business Experience Initiative Director, and work closely with the Chief Innovation Officer. Responsibilities may include:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for projects through collaboration, data analysis, and stakeholder input.
• Continuously develop and maintain expertise in state business requirements and funding opportunities spanning 13+ agencies.
• Guide the team in delivering quick, iterative results, prioritizing high-impact business solutions.
• Streamline processes to improve team efficiency and autonomy.
• Ensure clear communication across initiative project teams, set clear goals and work scope, identify dependencies, and support teams in unblocking their work.
• Create standardized processes to evaluate and measure project work, and communicate insights to improve product delivery and gain stakeholder support.

• Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making focused on end-user impact by gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative user data to continuously inform and refine project delivery.
• Develop a deep understanding of business needs, perspectives, and workflows to inform design and content.
• Coach staff on user research best practices, such as when to use different approaches, ask good questions, time-box discovery efforts, and work with designers to determine what UX needs user research.

• Cultivate, build, and maintain strong relationships with agencies to ensure the accuracy and prioritization of work on the Business Experience initiative.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination among teams and stakeholders; communicate progress, challenges, and successes to stakeholders in a clear, concise, and transparent manner.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase awareness of Business Experience initiative products to support New Jersey business owners.
• Initiate, cultivate, and expand organizational partnerships with an eye for expanding the portfolio of work.

• Highlight staffing needs for each project, working closely with Office of Innovation directors and contractors to ensure appropriate staffing.

• Execute additional duties and responsibilities to advance the Office of Innovation’s mission and work.

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience is required. Ideal candidates will have experience in the technology, government, or start-ups across various roles.
• At least 5 years of experience in civic-tech leadership roles, managing multiple projects and teams.
• Proficiency in product development through agile and human-centered processes.
• Proven ability to manage stakeholder relationships and expectations.
• Strong people management skills, including managing cross-functional teams, coaching staff, working with contractors, and overseeing staffing needs requirements across multiple teams.
• Experience working in a fast paced environment with a proven ability to triage requests and quickly make strategic decisions.
• Commitment to collaboration and creative problem-solving, fostering a work environment that embodies the values of the Office of Innovation.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. If you have any questions, please contact heather@innovation.nj.gov.

Compensation: Up to approximately $151,410 + full benefits.

The New Jersey Office of Innovation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

We are deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and seek to create a pluralistic community for all. We strongly encourage people of color, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, LGBTQI+ people, those with disabilities, and Veterans to apply. We are committed to building a team that is reflective of New Jersey’s incredible diversity.

We do not discriminate against any candidate because of color, race, age, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, membership in an employee organization, pregnancy, marital status, status as a parent, ancestry, national origin, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, retaliation, or other non-merit based factors.

Eligibility

You must be authorized to work in the United States. Candidates may be required to pass a background check and complete additional steps as part of the application and onboarding process. You will be considered an “at-will” employee, meaning both employer and employee have the right to terminate employment with or without cause or notice.