Digital Service Portfolio Manager

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

IPERS

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous vacation, sick leave, and pay

Life and disability insurance

Retirement savings options (RIC)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

The State of Iowa's Division of Information Technology is seeking an ITS5 to lead a statewide portfolio of digital experience products and services. You will manage projects, budgets, vendors, and stakeholder partnerships to enhance online tools and citizen services.

This senior role requires strong agile expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to coordinate cross-agency efforts in a dynamic environment. Some onsite Des Moines work with hybrid options is possible.

Qualifications

• Experience managing IT portfolios or major digital service products.
• Advanced knowledge of agile development methodologies.
• Knowledge of information and communication technologies.
• Knowledge of public administration and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the portfolio of digital experience products including online tools and analytics.
• Lead and coordinate projects from planning through execution.
• Communicate with stakeholders across the enterprise and manage vendor relationships.
• Manage grants, budgets, contracts, and project priorities to meet deadlines and quality standards.

Skills

Portfolio management

Stakeholder communication

Agile methodologies

IT portfolio governance

Analytical skills

Independent judgment

Education

Four-year college degree

Computer science / software engineering / MIS related degree

Job description

The Department of Management’s Division of Information Technology (DoIT) is seeking a senior-level Information Technology Specialist 5 (ITS5) – Digital Service Product Portfolio Manager to serve as the single point of accountability for a portfolio of IT and digital experience products. This role leads statewide digital tools used by agencies and citizens, including online forms, online payments, chatbots, language translation tools, mass communication systems, social media archiving, open records systems, and analytics services. The ITS5 manages projects, grants, budgets, contracts, vendor relationships, and partners with stakeholders to advance the state's constituent digital experience.

What You Will Do

• Effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders across the enterprise.


• Manage and prioritize multiple high-demand projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.


• Adapt to shifting priorities and pivot strategies seamlessly to maintain progress and alignment with evolving needs.


• Manage and oversee the portfolio of digital experience products while handling grants, budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.


• Lead and coordinate multiple projects from planning through execution.


• Provide leadership, foster team collaboration, and solve operational problems.


• Oversee the Digital Experience (DX) website program and manage vendor delivery of enhancements.


• Lead the content-strategy team including documentation, communication, and training.


• Analyze organizational and operational problems and develop timely, cost-effective solutions.


• Gather and analyze constituent feedback to ensure digital systems are simple and user-friendly.


• Identify production goals, metrics, and performance objectives.


• Conduct independent research on new and innovative digital services.

What We Are Seeking

• Demonstrated experience managing IT portfolios or major digital service products.


• Knowledge of information and communication technologies.


• Knowledge of public administration and procurement.


• Advanced knowledge of agile development methodologies.


• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.


• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and integrity.

Preferred Certifications

• None required; related digital service or IT credentials preferred.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment


• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)


• Health, dental, and vision insurance


• Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays


• Life and disability insurance


• Retirement savings options (RIC)


• Flexible Spending Accounts

Why Work with Us?

At the Iowa Department of Management (DOM), we help government agencies across the state perform at their best by managing financial resources, technology, and information. Our mission is rooted in service—we provide efficient, innovative, and strategic solutions that empower agencies to fulfill their goals.

We’re Guided By Four Core Values

• Integrity – We act with honesty and accountability.


• Teamwork – We collaborate to achieve shared success.


• Service – We are committed to excellence in public service.


• Partnership – We build strong relationships to drive results.

Working Arrangement

This position occasionally requires onsite work in Des Moines, IA. Employees meeting all expectations of their work responsibilities may request fully remote work and develop a hybrid/remote schedule collaboratively with their manager.

Please note, candidates for this position must reside in the state of Iowa at the time of starting the role.

Background Check Requirements

• After a conditional offer of employment has been made, and as the final step in the hiring process, candidates for this position will be subject to a background investigation, which may include but may not be limited to a verification of a candidate’s education, previous employment/work history, contact of personal references, motor vehicle records, and a criminal history check (including through Federal, State, or Local criminal justice agencies).


• Information gathered as part of such background investigation will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by Iowa Code section 22.7, 8B.4A, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; provided that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such information shall be available to candidates upon request.

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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security.


• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in computer science, computer applications, software engineering, computer engineering, management information systems, business analytics, or cyber security, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security.


• All of the following (a and b):


• Three years of full-time work experience in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security; and


• 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.


• All of the following (a and b):


• Five years of full-time work experience in application development and database management, business analysis, systems and network administration, technical training and reporting, IT vendor and purchasing management, IT project management, IT product management, system testing and quality assurance, mainframe and platform administration, and/or information technology security; and


• Either of the following:


• Certification from an authorized educational institution/major computer or software producer in one or more of the specialty areas listed in part a; or


• Eighteen semester hours from an accredited college or university in one or more of the specialty areas listed in part a.


• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes six months of full-time work as an Information Technology Specialist 4.