DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Arizona State Government; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Transit subsidy

Tuition reimbursement

Career advancement

Remote work (ad-hoc)

Job summary

The Department of Economic Security (DES), Division of Technology Services (DTS) in Phoenix, seeks a Deputy Assistant Director to oversee IT budget and financial services, procurement, vendor management, and telecom operations. The role requires leadership of a large IT portfolio with $130M annual expenditure and collaboration with executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities include policy development, strategic guidance, and oversight of budgets, acquisition research, and vendor negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience managing the fiscal operations of a large multi-divisional organization with multiple/complex funding sources.
• A Master's degree in these fields and/or professional certifications, such as CPA, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs day-to-day IT budget & finance, procurement, vendor management, and telecom services.
• Leads executive leadership interaction and ensures performance standards are met.
• Develops and monitors proposals for legislative and budget action; assists with responses to requests from legislators and officials.

Skills

Planning

Stakeholder mgmt

Negotiation

Budgeting

Communication

Project facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred / CPA

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

We strengthen families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision that every child, adult, and family in Arizona will be safe and economically secure. DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to make Arizona stronger by helping Arizonans reach their full potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Job Location:

Division of Technology Services (DTS)
1789 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $120,000-$128,001

Grade: 27

Closing Date: September 11, 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 des.az.gov; or to view ‘Our DES’ video. The Department of Economic Security, Division of Technology Services (DTS) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Deputy Assistant Director. This position will be responsible for to ensure division effectiveness for all business and administrative services and works to develop and implement division policy and procedures. This position supports over 200 IT products and services with an overall IT expenditure of $130 million annually. Oversees IT Budget and Financial Services, IT acquisition research and analysis, IT Procurement, IT Vendor Management, IT Software Asset Management, Mobile Device Service Management, and agency telecommunications services. This position will require 3 days of in-person requirements and 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:

• Directs day-to-day business and administrative services in IT Budget & finance, IT acquisition research and analysis, IT procurement, IT Vendor Management IT Software Asset Management, Mobile Device Service Management, and Agency telecom services.
• Participates as member of the Department's Executive Leadership Team; Oversees administrators, manager, and supervisors to ensure performance standards are established and maintained. Ensure standard work and works flows are maintained. Make recommendations and decision on behalf of the CIO in their absence.
• Confer with executive leadership to provide advice and direction to support division IT initiatives, mitigate IT vendor risks, and reduce costs. Provide strategic management support including the development, implementation and monitoring of goals, objectives, and strategies including the efficiency and effectiveness of agency IT initiatives.
• Leads procurement teams to support complex IT initiatives. Manages IT life-cycle continuous process improvement initiatives to align processes, improve effectiveness, timeliness, risk mitigation, customer satisfaction, and increase overall performance.
• Represents the agency for IT acquisitions and serves as the agency’s expert to navigate and negotiate complex IT licensing and pricing models to leverage best prices, avoid hidden costs, and reduce operating expenses.
• Develops and monitors proposals and presentations for legislative and budget action, presents IT acquisition proposals requiring state budget approval as needed. Assists with responses to requests from legislators, local government officials, and the public. May testify before legislative committees on proposed legislation. Oversees the reporting functions for DTS.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Broad knowledge of the IT industry and the products and services provided by technology vendors
• Principles and effective practices of leadership, public administration, organizational management, personnel management, program services across the department and how programs relate to one another.
• Familiarity with relevant state, federal, and commercial regulatory and industry requirements.
• Practices of governmental budgeting, finance, and procurement as they affect operations and delivery of services.
• Responsible supervisory, administrative, or managerial experience relating to the planning, organizing, and directing of various business and administrative functions.
• Understanding of the IT vendor life cycle (sourcing, procurement, vendor management), and how internal roles interact and operate throughout the duration of vendor engagements

Skill in:

• Planning, organizing and directing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Exercising initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment in solving complex administrative, technical and personnel problems and/or implementation of new opportunities.
• Negotiate complex IT licensing and pricing models with large global IT organizations.
• Excellent skills in oral and written communication
• Preparing and managing a complex budget.
• Facilitating multiple projects.

Ability to:

• Plan, analyze and coordinate activities; as well as establish priorities, develop procedures, coach counsel, mentor, listen and lead in a fast-paced environment
• Influence without formal authority and collaborate with internal and external customers and stakeholders
• Exercise a high degree of discretion and independent judgment
• Developing and maintaining relationships that facilitate positive IT vendor behaviors, establish healthy new engagements, and deepen existing ones
• Strong problem-solving ability with a focus on managing to business outcomes through collaboration with multiple internal and external parties
• Read, understand and interpret complex IT commercial terms, state and federal laws, and policy.
• Compose and summarize complex issues and ideas

Selective Preference(s):

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required. A Master's degree in these fields and/or professional certifications, such as CPA, is preferred. Five years of progressively responsible experience managing the fiscal operations of a large multi-divisional organization with multiple/complex funding sources.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• 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.
• 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).
• Candidate will possess a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field. 3+ years experience in a leadership role.

Benefits:

• -Affordable Health, Dental, Vision and Life and Disability Insurance
• -10 holidays per year
• -Paid Vacation and Sick time off - start earning it your 1st day
• -Eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• -Contribute to, and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System
• -Ride Share and Public Transit Subsidy
• -Career Advancement Opportunities
• -Tuition reimbursement
• -Opportunity to work remotely (home office) on an ad-hoc basis

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

Retirement:

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.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us at email [e-mail].

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 [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.