DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Business Services

Office of Business Transformation
1789 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: July 10, 2026

At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES, please visit des.az.gov or click on the link here to view the ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? Would you like the opportunity to have a direct impact on operational improvements that eliminate wasted resources, allowing more direct investment in the betterment of the lives of Arizonans across the state?

The Division of Business Services - Office of Business Transformation (DBS-OBT) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Strategic Initiative Coordinator. Under the direction of the Project Office Manager, this role will be responsible for leading long-term projects of considerable complexity, supporting the division. In doing so, the incumbent may lead and manage staff and/or resources supporting breakthrough projects designed to identify, develop, and implement broad-scale changes that improve outcomes for Arizonans and the quality and efficiency of government.

This position directs or assists in directing multi-program design, integration, evaluation, and improvement, and leads projects to meet the needs of the Division and Department's high-priority initiatives. This position supports strategic development efforts and ensures that leadership and program/project teams have a comprehensive view of multiple concurrent projects, many of which involve cross-functional teams and varying deadlines.

This position may involve travel to meet the needs of identified projects and understand business conditions. This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead long-term and complex projects of considerable difficulty supporting the program’s engagement within the Division of Business Services
• (DBS), and support other cross-functional initiatives.
• Supervise, lead, and manage staff and resources supporting breakthrough projects designed to identify, develop, and implement broad-scale changes and improvements.
• Researches, plans, convenes, facilitates, coaches, and manages projects to meet the needs of the Division and Department's high-priority initiatives. This may involve traveling to off-site locations to facilitate the projects.
• Coordinate a portfolio of projects, including communicating responsibilities and status, identifying risk, and promoting success through collaborative strategies.
  

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of administration with special reference to organization, management, and continuous improvement
• Change management
  
• Research strategies and tools
• Project management tools and best practices principles
• Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, project management applications, community resources, and social service system
• Business operations with shared service alignments

Skilled in:

• Excellent communications (oral and written) skills; public speaking
• Expressing ideas and information concisely at all levels of the organization
• Establishing, developing, and maintaining positive, productive relationships with individuals with and without a direct reporting relationship
• Motivating groups toward common goals
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Innovative, creative thinking
• Self-motivation
• Teamwork/Team Building
• Leadership
• Facilitation
• Training
• Data gathering, analysis, and reporting

Ability to:

• Direct comprehensive program design, integration, evaluation, and improvement
• Complete complex analytical work
• Create project plans, conduct comprehensive coordination
• Proactively manage and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders and shareholders
• Prioritize and communicate to key leaders
• Take responsibility and function under minimal supervision
• Accommodate flexibility and adapt to changing priorities in daily work
• Understand organizational dynamics, navigate expertly, and achieve success in a consensus-driven, team-oriented environment, working with a wide range of people
• Learn/apply the techniques and principles of the Arizona Management System, including process improvement techniques and tools to drive improvement
  

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Three years of experience in one or more of the functions related to duties of this class;
• a Master's degree in business or public administration from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience.
  

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business. The following requirements apply:

• Driver’s License Requirements: Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid, class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
  
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Shawn Morrison at (623) 271-2117 or email shmorrison@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Shawn Morrison at (623) 271-2117 or email shmorrison@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.