DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY
Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.
DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.
DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE COORDINATOR
Job Location:
Division of Business Services
Office of Business Transformation
1789 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Posting Details:
Salary: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00
Grade: 23
Closing Date: July 10, 2026
Job Summary:
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.
Job Duties:
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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
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
Selective Preference(s):
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.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
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).
Benefits:
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
Retirement:
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.
Contact Us:
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Shawn Morrison at (623) 271-2117 or email [email protected].
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 [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.