Department of Education

Address:  Information Technology 
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $90,000 - $95,000 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: 9/1/25

• Lead end-to-end project management activities, encompassing project initiation, scope definition, budget allocation, and effective user communication.
• Excel in developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans, aligned with structured Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies.
• Proactively monitoring progress, mentoring Agile Scrum-based teams, and addressing potential challenges are core responsibilities.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to assess feasibility, fostering innovation, and identifying and mitigating risks are integral to success.
• The role necessitates risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and alignment of development with business objectives, with a strong focus on the product life cycle.
• Drive continual improvement, optimizing workflows and ensuring high-quality solution delivery.
• Rare in-state and out-of-state travel may be required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

• Accountable and responsible for managing the complete life cycle of IT business software applications projects from original concept to final implementation for multiple medium to large-sized projects
• Manages projects based on repeatable standards and practices where possible but also may require defining new approaches.
• Develops detailed project execution plans and manages all phases of the project including project resource allocation, scheduling, financials/budgets, progress status tracking, KPl/value focused metrics, multi-level reporting, testing, release to production and postproduction support and maintenance
• Facilitates the definition of project missions, goals, tasks, and resource requirements
• Works cross-functionally to solve problems
• Resolves or assists in the resolution of conflicts within and between projects/functional areas/teams
• Monitors project or area progress and escalate as appropriate
• Proactively and routinely identifies, mitigates, and reports project risks and issues
• Determines overall health of the project using best practices and methodologies
• Partners with key stakeholders and program area personnel to build project plans, identify key milestones and priorities for project completion, effectively communicate objectives, risks, and project progress
• Spearheads meetings, presentations, and project scrum ceremonies
• Demonstrate leadership in managing diverse teams within several project areas
• Prepares project Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) with ADE program areas and Project Investment Justification (PIJ) documents as well as the corresponding status reports and change control documents
• Provides information and supporting material to confirm project accomplishments and milestones as needed
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Knowledge in:
• Comprehensive knowledge of IT project management principles
• Minimum experience of 5 years managing medium-to-large projects
• Expertise in software application development
• Understand end-to-end data processes, from acquisition to deployment
• Proficiency in Agile principles, capable of applying them effectively for flexible and collaborative project execution
• Proficiency in PMBOK framework, implementing standardized practices for consistency
• Expertise in defining and managing large project budgets and resources to optimize utilization
• Familiarity with RFI/RFP processes, and Change Management controls
• Comprehend BI principles, analytics, and decision support
• Know data quality, security, and regulatory compliance
• Familiarity with BI tools like Tableau, Power BI, etc.
• Familiarity with SQL, Structured data and Relational databases
• A bachelor’s degree plus five or more years’ experience as an IT Project Manager, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required

Skills in:
• Proficient in mission, goal, task, and resource definition, translating objectives into actionable plans
• Experienced in efficient management of budgets and resources, and balancing financial considerations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, engaging stakeholders transparently
• Skilled at identifying and implementing process improvements for efficiency
• Proficient in conveying project updates and insights to stakeholders
• Develop data strategies aligned with goals
• Extract insights from simple datasets when required
• Communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders
• Intermediate to advanced skills in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel

Ability to:
• Lead and manage data and BI teams
• Strong ability to prioritize and plan effectively considering objectives and constraints
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring successful completion
• Lead project planning and implementation, guiding teams towards success
• Manage projects with adaptable standards and practices
• Work collaboratively, building strong relationships with internal and external Stakeholders
• Work with teams to design software solutions aligned with project goals
• Balance tasks and business priorities to ensure projects are on track
• Responsive to feedback, adjusting plans to meet evolving business needs
• Collaborate across departments and bridge technical and non-technical gaps
• Address data-related challenges and plan for future data needs and trends
• Guide stakeholders through technological changes

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Arizona State Project Management Certification

Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

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

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

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

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

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 calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.