Business Systems Strategists

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision

Paid time off

Retirement plans (IPERS)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life insurance & long-term disability

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking three Business Systems Strategists to advance the Medicaid Technology Roadmap. You will coordinate modernization across systems, partners, and teams to ensure alignment, compliance, and progress toward a more connected Medicaid enterprise.

Responsibilities include planning, analysis, risk tracking, and executive-ready documentation. This role offers hybrid work after a 6-month probation and is based in Des Moines at the Lucas Building

Qualifications

• Six years of full-time professional-level work in information technology, business analysis, program operations, or project management.
• Or two years of full-time work plus four years of education and/or experience with relevant coursework.
• Current, continuous state executive branch experience including six months as a Business Systems Specialist 3.

Responsibilities

• Support modernization planning, implementation, and documentation for initiatives.
• Coordinate inputs across DOM-DoIT, MCOs, vendors, and Medicaid teams.
• Facilitate alignment with enterprise strategies and shared goals.
• Conduct system, data, workflow, and dependency analysis for planning.
• Prepare summaries and landscape assessments to aid decision-making.
• Draft APDs and support modernization funding strategies, noting risks.

Skills

Systems analysis

Documentation

Project coordination

Job description

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Medicaid, Systems Data and Analytics team is seeking three highly organized and forward-thinking Business Systems Strategists to support key initiatives outlined in the Medicaid Technology Roadmap.

About The Role

In this role, you’ll help coordinate modernization activities across systems, partners, and internal team ensuring alignment, regulatory compliance, and steady progress toward a more efficient, connected Medicaid enterprise.

Modernization Planning & Coordination

• Support planning, implementation, and documentation for assigned modernization initiatives.
• Coordinate inputs across Department of Management IT (DOM-DoIT), Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), vendors, and Medicaid program teams.
• Facilitate alignment with enterprise strategies, modernization requirements, and shared project goals.

Systems, Data & Workflow Analysis

• Conduct system, data, workflow, and dependency analysis to inform modernization planning.
• Gather and interpret inputs needed for Medicaid Enterprise Systems investment planning and prioritization.
• Prepare summaries, landscape assessments, and analysis that support strategic alignment and decision-making.

Compliance & Readiness

• Ensure modernization initiatives meet regulatory requirements.
• Monitor dependencies, risks, system impacts, and data alignment concerns.

Documentation & Executive Support

• Draft components of APDs and support the broader modernization funding strategy by identifying alignment opportunities, risks, and required changes.
• Log issues and risks including data quality, readiness concerns, and timeline impacts.

Modernization Enablement

• Assist with development of modernization elements such as system integrator readiness, data platform alignment, and module transition planning under direction of the Systems Strategy Owner.
• Contribute to coordination during emergencies or disaster-related activities that impact modernization and enterprise planning.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience with systems analysis, documentation, or project coordination.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving modernization environment.
• Clear communication skills, including preparing high-quality summaries and materials.

Why Join Us?

Your work will directly influence how Iowa Medicaid modernizes its systems, strengthens enterprise coordination, and improves service delivery statewide. Join a collaborative team committed to building a more integrated, efficient, and future-ready Medicaid program. You will enjoy working with the Medicaid team from the beautifully remodeled Lucas Building, across from the State Capitol Building and enjoy a hybrid work schedule after completing a 6-month probationary period.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

All work performed on behalf of Iowa Health and Human Services must occur in the State of Iowa.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Six years of full-time professional-level work in information technology, business analysis, program operations, program administration, project management, or a closely-related field.
• All of the following (a and b): (a) Two years of full-time professional-level work experience in information technology, business analysis, program operations, program administration, project management, or a closely-related field; and (b) A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes six months of full-time work as a Business Systems Specialist 3.