Mr Evans joined the civil service in 2010 and is currently deputy permanent secretary to the Welsh Government. He will succeed Ian Jones in the role from October.
S4C's chairman Huw Jones said Mr Evans was a "highly respected leader".
Mr Evans was educated at Ysgol Penweddig, Aberystwyth. He graduated in economics at Swansea University.
He was director of Business in the Community Wales, from 2008 and 2010, and a member of the Welsh Language Board from 2005 and 2010.
Owen Evans has been appointed as the new chief executive of Welsh language television broadcaster S4C.