DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Office of the Director (OOD)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $105,000-$125,000  

Grade: 28

Closing Date: April 12, 2026

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!

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Office of the Director (OOD) is seeking an Executive Product Manager/Chief Experience Officer to join the Office of Strategic Modernization. This pivotal role reports directly to the Deputy Director of Operations and serves as a strategic partner and advisor in advancing A-to-Z Arizona—a significant agency-wide initiative dedicated to modernizing and streamlining business processes, incorporating cutting-edge IT and technology projects to significantly improve client experience and outcomes, reduce waste and complexity, and safeguard against identity theft and fraud. As the incumbent, you will provide essential leadership in resolving challenges and driving the success of A-to-Z Arizona, which functions as an agency-wide portal connecting clients to vital resources, allowing them to apply for programs, and manage their services on demand, with key responsibilities including leading Overall Product Management strategy, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) strategy, Employee Experience (EX) initiatives, and Requirements gathering and prioritization. This high-profile position requires routinely and proactively representing executive positions in meetings and committees (including public speaking on technology projects), developing integrated functional projects, creating comprehensive communication plans, and designing scorecards to effectively measure the initiative's success.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meetings 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, 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.

• Lead the Department's strategic product and modernization initiative, A-to-Z Arizona, serving as the Executive Product Manager/Chief Experience Officer for the statewide portal. This includes defining and driving the product vision and strategy, incorporating best practices to improve client experience and outcomes.
• Drive the overall User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) strategy, ensuring all digital products are highly intuitive, efficient, and engaging by overseeing research, design, cross-functional collaboration, testing, and the management of a centralized design system.
• Serve as a strategic partner and advisor to the Deputy Director of Operations and senior leadership, routinely and proactively representing the executives' positions in meetings and committees to advance the statewide initiative.
• Participate in extensive and intensive research for agency-level program/policy projects to formalize requirements gathering, analyze data, and recommend policy changes to support product objectives.
• Act as a primary spokesperson for the A-to-Z Arizona technology project, performing public speaking engagements and presentations to internal and external stakeholders, and partnering agencies to communicate progress and achieve commitment.
• Design and develop new or revised systems to monitor divisional metrics and product deliverables, and recommend new systems, procedures, or organizational changes to management through presentations or written reports.
• Develop integrated functional projects, communication plans, and scorecards to effectively measure the success of the A-to-Z Arizona initiative and monitor its effectiveness.
• Lead project update meetings with divisional leadership to ensure timely implementation, identify and resolve barriers to project implementations, and provide problem solving support to teams working through strategic projects.
• Serve as a consultant with divisional leadership on product barriers/challenges with internal and external partners.

Knowledge of:
• Project and/or product management
• Systems and programs in the area of assignment, and of their purposes and variations in form, structure and content
• Principles concepts and current practices of State government and government management including legislative and administrative processes
• Principles, concepts and current practices of State government and government management, including legislative and administrative processes State laws, rules and regulations

Skills In:
• Conceptualization, design, planning and development of various aspects of systems and programs in the area of assignment
• Written and oral communication
• Interviewing and eliciting information in support of project objectives
• Interpersonal relations, as applied to contacts with officials, managers and representatives of various agencies and organizations

Ability to:
• Test and troubleshoot project elements in area of assignment
• Conduct research and extract, compile, analyze, evaluate and synthesize data
• Present information effectively in support of project objectives

Master Degree in Public Policy or Administration, JD, Budget/Finance and experience working in project management, public policy, contacts, strategic planning, organizational development or business operations/budget.

• This position may require 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. 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).

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 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 us at (520) 235-3174 or email OODHRstaffing@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 (520) 235-3174 or OODHRStaffing@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.