STRATEGIC PLANNER
About The Position
The Department of Economic Security’s Child and Community Services Division is seeking an experienced Strategic Planner to lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of divisional strategies and high-priority initiatives. The position coordinates with teams across the division and agency to align complex projects with organizational goals, enhance program effectiveness, and support change management. It translates high-level vision into actionable, data-driven outcomes, cultivates local, statewide, and national partnerships, provides direct team leadership to divisional staff, and delivers progress reports and executive updates to CCSD Leadership. The position may offer remote work within Arizona based on department needs and continued achievement of expected performance measures. Remote work is a management option, not an employee entitlement, and must be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized in advance.
Requirements
- Experience coordinating or managing projects, or equivalent experience; the stated ideal candidate has three or more years.
- Ability to work through complex problems, coordinate and manage projects, analyze raw data or information, and implement solutions.
- Strong coaching, team-building, negotiation, facilitation, planning, directing, leadership, communication, interpersonal, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to apply complex federal and state laws and regulations and respond to complex planning, program, and audit-related matters.
- Knowledge of federal and state programs, including early childhood education, child care law, IDEA Part C and early intervention, and programs supporting economic independence such as food and housing security.
- Knowledge of change management, DES policies and procedures, federal and state funding rules, community resources, government practices, data collection and analysis, Lean principles, DEIB frameworks, and Google Suite and other software applications.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships, work across public- and private-sector partners, exercise independent judgment, prepare organized reports, and design, implement, and evaluate projects.
- If operating a vehicle for state business, must possess and retain a current, valid, class-appropriate driver's license, meet driving-record and training requirements, and maintain required insurance when using a personally owned vehicle.
- Must successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent on completing the stated pre-employment process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate restrictions.
- Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Nice To Haves
- A bachelor's or graduate degree in business, social services, public administration, public policy, law, or a closely related field.
- Knowledge of social policies and trends and of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to Child Care Administration programs.
Responsibilities
- Lead divisional strategies and high-priority initiatives through development, implementation, and evaluation; translate vision into actionable, data-driven outcomes and support change management.
- Review and synthesize data and information; prepare reports and presentations; and provide regular progress reports and executive updates to CCSD Leadership.
- Lead cross-functional teams across the division and agency, align complex projects with organizational goals, facilitate problem solving, and execute special projects.
- Cultivate local, statewide, and national partnerships to enhance program effectiveness.
- Represent the Division in high-level committees, cross-agency workgroups, and external partner meetings to align strategic goals and advocate for Division priorities.
- Promote continuous improvement by establishing key performance indicators to assess initiative efficiency, productivity, and measurable impact.
- Provide direct team leadership to divisional staff.
Benefits
- Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
- Arizona State Retirement System participation and long-term disability plans
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child
- Deferred compensation plan
- Wellness plans
- Tuition reimbursement
- Stipend opportunities
- Infant at Work Program
- Rideshare and public transit subsidy
- Career advancement and employee development opportunities
- Remote work option, subject to management approval and department needs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
