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 Department of Economic Security, Division of Business Services, Office of Strategic Communications, seeks an experienced, highly motivated individual to join our team as an Internal Communications and Engagement Manager. As the Internal Communications and Engagement Manager, you will lead the team responsible for shaping our organization's culture, driving strategic alignment, and fostering transparent, two-way dialogue across all levels. In this role, you will bridge strategic communications and employee experience—developing campaigns and programs that connect employees with leadership, elevate company values, and navigate organizational change with empathy and clarity.
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.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Strategic Planning & Execution: Design and execute holistic internal communication campaigns and employee engagement roadmaps aligned with organizational goals and long-term strategy.
- Content Creation & Storytelling: Produce clear, compelling written and digital content across multiple channels, including executive announcements, newsletters, intranet articles, and presentations.
- Team Leadership & Development: Supervise, mentor, and support direct reports, empowering the team to deliver high-impact communication and engagement initiatives.
- Leadership Partnering & Change Management: Partner closely with executive leadership to refine internal channels, craft key messaging, and guide employees seamlessly through organizational shifts.
- Data-Driven Strategy & Measurement: Oversee employee engagement feedback mechanisms, analyze survey data, track communication KPIs, and continuously refine strategies based on actionable insights.
Key Knowledge & Subject Matter Expertise:
- Unified Strategy: Deep understanding of the intersection between internal communications and employee engagement to drive a cohesive employee experience strategy.
- Communication & Change Frameworks: Firm grasp of strategic messaging frameworks, corporate storytelling, and structured change management methodologies.
- Employee Experience & Engagement Theory: Strong understanding of current workforce trends, motivational theory, and key workplace culture drivers.
- Omnichannel Communication: Knowledge of balancing physical workplace channels (digital signage, live town halls) with modern digital platforms (intranets, enterprise messaging tools).
- Hybrid & Frontline Dynamics: Clear insight into the unique scheduling rhythms, engagement challenges, and equity considerations present in hybrid and distributed work environments.
Core Skills:
- Cross-Functional Workflow Design: Proven skill in establishing new processes, shared editorial calendars, and project management systems to break down silos between communication and engagement functions.
- Integrated Analytics: Ability to merge communication metrics (e.g., open rates, click-throughs) with engagement data (e.g., eNPS, survey participation) into unified, holistic dashboards.
- Campaign & Event Project Management: Expert ability to manage concurrent communication campaigns, coordinate large-scale corporate events (e.g., Town Halls), and meet tight deadlines.
- Digital Content Creation: Proficiency with visual storytelling tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or video editing software to produce engaging visual assets.
Essential Abilities & Mindset:
- Empathy & Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to read the room, evaluate sentiment, and adapt internal messaging with emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
- Stakeholder & Change Management: Skill in navigating internal politics, honoring team expertise, building collaborative relationships, and fostering a shared team identity.
- Crisis Response: Calm, decisive, and swift communication capability during rapid organizational changes or crisis scenarios.
- Inclusive Program Design: Creative approach to designing engagement strategies that resonate equally with desk-based, hybrid, and frontline workers.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across divisions, leadership tiers, and external partners.
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. 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).
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 602-908-4504 or email dbsdfohr@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 602-908-4504. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.