Manager of Strategic Planning and Policy

The Strategic Planning & Policy Manager leads statewide workforce strategy development, policy alignment, and cross-agency coordination to ensure Massachusetts meets federal, state, and Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) objectives. This role develops and implements visioning strategies that guide long-term workforce system direction, ensuring alignment with WIOA, federal priorities, state administration goals, and EOLWD strategic initiatives. The manager oversees policy development to ensure statewide policies, guidance, and operational expectations reflect strategic priorities and support consistent, high-quality service delivery across all regions.

The position serves as the primary coordinator for WIOA State Plan activities, working closely with EOLWD and the State Board to develop, update, and implement the federally required WIOA Combined State Plan. The manager also supports EOLWD in regional planning by guiding regional strategy development, ensuring alignment with statewide goals, and facilitating collaboration among local workforce boards and partners.

This role leads the Workforce Board Certification process, establishing standards, conducting reviews, and ensuring boards meet statutory and regulatory requirements. The manager also oversees statewide development and coordination of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with core partners, ensuring consistent agreements, shared service strategies, and compliance with federal mandates.

Overall, the Strategic Planning & Policy Manager provides high-level leadership in shaping the direction of the Massachusetts workforce system, ensuring strategic coherence, regulatory alignment, and effective collaboration across state, regional, and local partners.

Key Job ResponsibilitiesStrategic Visioning & Alignment

Develops and implements long‑term visioning strategies that align the statewide workforce system with federal priorities, state administration goals, and EOLWD strategic objectives. Leads cross‑agency collaboration to ensure coherence between policy direction and operational execution.

Policy Development & Integration

Designs, updates, and aligns statewide workforce policies with strategic priorities. Ensures policies reflect federal and state requirements, support consistent service delivery, and advance system modernization. Coordinates policy input from internal and external partners.

Management of MassWorkforce Policy and Informational Systems

Manages and reviews content of all documents to be posted on the MassWorkforce Issuance System. Provides editorial quality control, and ensures communications are clear, accurate, consistent, professional, and aligned with EOLWD’s broader policies and messaging. Coordinates all external messaging with EOLWD’s Communications Department.

State Plan Coordination

Serves as the primary coordinator for the WIOA Combined State Plan. Leads development, revision, and implementation activities in partnership with EOLWD. Ensures statewide strategies, performance goals, and partner commitments are accurately reflected and compliant with federal guidance.

Regional Planning Support

Supports EOLWD in guiding regional planning efforts across workforce areas. Provides frameworks, data, and strategic direction to ensure regional plans align with statewide priorities, labor market needs, and federal requirements. Facilitates collaboration among workforce boards and regional partners.

Workforce Board Certification

Coordinates and conducts the statewide Workforce Board Certification process. Establishes criteria, reviews board submissions, evaluates compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and issues certification determinations.

Statewide MOU Development & Coordination

Leads development, negotiation, and coordination of statewide MOUs with core partners. Ensures consistency across regions, compliance with federal mandates, and alignment with shared service strategies. Provides guidance to local boards and partners on implementation.

Supervision of Staff

Supervises two professional staff, providing direction, coaching, performance feedback, and workload prioritization. Ensures staff activities support strategic planning, policy development, and statewide coordination objectives.