PROJECT OFFICE MANAGER

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.

PROJECT OFFICE MANAGER

Job Location:

Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) Family Assistance Administration (FAA) Customer Care Center Leadership 1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $50.0000 hourly ($104,000.00 annually) 

Grade: 25

Closing Date: September 11, 2026

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? 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 ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

This position will be responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing management of more complex projects for the Division related to programs and business applications which typically impacts more than one of the following such as: HEA Plus (Benefit Eligibility Application System), Governor's Arizona Management System, Breakthrough Objectives and Annual improvement Plans. The position will also project manage large scale Request for Proposals (HEA Plus enhancement/replacement) and the implementation of large scale projects.

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:

• Manages and leads the Project Management Office for the Division. Works with partner state agency’s (AHCCCS, ADHS, DCS) and Federal partners (FNS and CMS) on large scale projects. Leads planning and/or implementation of projects. Solicits and evaluates internal and external customer feedback to enhance continuous quality improvement.

• Develops and implements strategic project plan to achieve business goals. Pro-actively leads project by setting direction of project, creating project plan, setting time line, identifying key milestones, and additional resources needed on selected project(s). Project manage HEA Plus enhancements, Arizona Management System implementation (core and pilot).

• Oversees the management of steering committee and all sub committees for Division projects. Develops methods to monitor project or area progress and takes corrective action. Manages project budget and resource allocation. Develops project scope, estimate milestones, scheduling.

• Tracks progress and communicates project(s) status on a regular basis to all impacted parties.

• Identified issues and recommends corrections/improvements related to new and/or existing programs, services and work flows. Builds communication plans for implementation to ensure all impacted parties (up stream/down stream) are informed of next steps for completion.

• Conducts group facilitation/presentation influencing various internal and external parties (e.g., other DES Divisions, State Agencies, FNS and CMS)

• Works cross-functionally to manage and resolve conflicts within and between projects or functional areas and implement changes. identifies issues that may stall project and addresses them by either resolving the issue or creating an alternative solution.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Theoretical and Practical aspects of project management.

• Organization's methodologies and tools.

• Organization's policies and procedures.

• Interrelationships among various internal and external organizational functions.

• Project management standards, processes and tools.

• Business communication formatting.

Skills in:

• Strong project management.

• Strong Verbal and written communication.

• Critical thinking and innovation.

• Organization and problem solving.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management.

• Strong customer service.

• Strong conflict management.

• Strong analytical and problem solving.

Ability to:

• Identify and solve complex problems.

• Communicate efficiently and effectively with project team.

• Work with internal stakeholders solving complex problems and handling large scale projects.

• Synthesize complex business and financial data, and develop solutions.

• Work in a diverse team environment and participate as an active member of management.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field and five (5) or more years of experience in Project Management. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• 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.

• Successfully pass background and reference check; 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 regarding this career opportunity, please contact Fernando Bojorquez Vega at (480) 932-4641 or cbojorquezvega@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 (480) 932-4641 or cbojorquezvega@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.