STRATEGIC PLANNER

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 PLANNER

Job Location

Child and Community Services Division (CCSD)

1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details

Salary: $70,000 - 74,360

Grade: 23

Closing Date: November 5, 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 ; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Child and Community Services Division (CCSD) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as the Strategic Planner. The Strategic Planner leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of divisional strategies and high-priority initiatives. This cross-functional leader coordinates with teams across the division and agency to ensure complex projects align with organizational goals, enhance program effectiveness, and support change management efforts. By translating a high-level vision into actionable, data-driven outcomes, the Strategic Planner cultivates key local, statewide, and national partnerships. Additionally, the role provides direct team leadership to diverse divisional staff and delivers regular progress reports and executive updates to CCSD Leadership.

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.

Job Duties

Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Lead divisional strategies and high-priority initiatives from development through implementation and evaluation; Translate high-level vision into actionable, data-driven outcomes; Support change management efforts across the division. Review and synthesize data and information, prepare reports and presentations, and deliver regular progress reports and executive updates to CCSD Leadership.
• Lead cross-functional teams across the division and agency to align complex projects with organizational goals, facilitate problem solving, and execute special projects. Cultivate key partnerships at local, statewide, and national levels to enhance program effectiveness.
• Represent the Division in high-level committees, cross-agency workgroups, and external partner meetings to align inter-connected strategic goals and advocate for Division priorities.
• Drive an organizational culture of continuous improvement by establishing key performance indicators to evaluate the efficiency, productivity, and measurable impact of strategic initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of

• Federal and state programs including early childhood education, child care law, IDEA Part C and early intervention, and programs supporting economic independence including food and housing security.

• Change management principles.

• DES policy and procedures.

• Federal and state funding rules and regulations.
• Available community resources.
• Government practic