Statewide Continuous Improvement Specialist

Typical Qualifications on the First Day of Work:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, operations, or a related field (preferred).
• Three years of experience in program leadership, organizational change, process improvement, or cross-functional initiative coordination.
• Alternative Combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience working across multiple stakeholders, including engagement with leadership teams or executives.
• Familiarity with Continuous Improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar) is helpful but not required.

Core Competencies:

• Program and change leadership\: Leads and evolves a multi-agency program with a focus on culture change and long-term capability building.
• Strategic relationship building\: Establishes credibility quickly, navigates organizational dynamics, and effectively partners with executive leadership.
• Facilitation and training\: Confidently leads trainings and group sessions, manages group dynamics, and engages diverse audiences.
• Data-informed decision-making\: Uses performance data to guide priorities and support leadership-level decisions.
• Continuous Improvement application\: Applies structured problem-solving methods to drive measurable outcomes.
• Program coordination and oversight\: Manages a statewide portfolio, tracks progress, and ensures alignment with priorities and consistent standards.

 

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

The Office of Budget and Program Planning is seeking a Statewide Continuous Improvement Specialist to guide and strengthen a growing, cross-agency program focused on improving government performance and outcomes. This role sits at the intersection of budgeting, performance, and operations, supporting Executive Branch agencies in building lasting improvement capability.

This position functions as a program leader—not a project manager. The Statewide Continuous Improvement Specialist will inherit an established program and be responsible for learning it, leading it, and advancing it. The focus is on developing people, influencing culture, and embedding continuous improvement practices across agencies.

Key responsibilities include partnering with agency leadership and stakeholders to align improvement efforts, facilitating agency participation in the CI program, and guiding the selection and development of program participants. This role will deliver training, facilitate group sessions, and provide coaching to help agencies build internal capacity for sustained improvement.

The role also includes overseeing the statewide CI project portfolio, monitoring performance and outcomes, and ensuring consistent application of CI tools and methods. Success will depend on strong executive presence, the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics, and a track record of driving meaningful, lasting change.