Unemployment Insurance Manager

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision coverage

Paid time off

Retirement plans (IPERS)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life insurance and disability

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discounts

Job summary

The State of Iowa seeks an Unemployment Insurance Manager to lead the UI Benefits Bureau, directing staffing, program administration, and performance improvements. You will work with department leadership to advance goals and ensure timely, accurate benefit processing.

Ideal candidates bring strategic leadership, strong communication, and a track record of collaboration with executives to drive operational excellence. Telework options may apply after probation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.
• Experience in unemployment insurance, program administration, or management.
• Public sector or government experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee personnel functions for UI Benefits Bureau, including hiring and evaluations.
• Manage employee grievances and disciplinary actions.
• Ensure staff training, equipment and support for duties.
• Assign work and regularly review team performance.
• Provide coaching to improve staff performance and policy compliance.
• Develop and administer bureau policies to support operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Coaching

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Unemployment insurance / program administration experience

Public sector experience

Job description

Do you have a heart for public service? Are you passionate about helping others succeed? If so, Iowa Workforce Development is seeking a dedicated Unemployment (UI) Insurance Manager serving within the UI Division, Benefits Bureau. We value professionals who bring a positive, solution focused attitude and thrive with community impacts. If you’re driven by mission, collaboration, and making a real impact, we encourage you to apply.

Position Details

• Location: 1000 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
• Schedule: Full-time | Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Work Flexibility: current practice allows teleworking and alternate work schedules after successful completion of probation and training.

Position Overview

Provides strategic leadership for the UI Benefits Bureau by resolving operational challenges, improving program performance, developing strategic plans, and collaborating with department and division leadership to advance departmental goals and priorities.

Primary Responsibilities

Personnel Management and Staff Development

• Oversee personnel functions for the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bureau, including establishing permanent and temporary positions, justifying hiring needs, interviewing and selecting staff, and preparing performance plans and evaluations.
• Manage employee grievances and disciplinary actions.
• Ensure staff receive the necessary training, equipment, and technical support to perform their duties effectively.
• Assign work to accomplish bureau objectives and regularly meets with team members to review performance.
• Provide ongoing coaching and guidance to support staff’s skill development, improve performance, and reinforce expectations.
• Respond to staff questions and provide timely clarification on policies, procedures, and work requirements.
• Help develop and administer bureau policies and procedures and approve work methods to ensure staff understanding and implementation.
• Implement employee engagement activities aligned with agency goals to promote employee retention, morale, and organizational effectiveness.

UI Program Administration and Performance Oversight

• Plan, direct, and administer statewide U.S. Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance Benefit programs, ensuring work is completed accurately and timely.
• Develop, implement, and interpret administrative procedures for Bureau staff.
• Review and evaluate activities, reports, and records to determine whether program goals, objectives, and responsibilities are being met.
• Monitor and review staff work products, including customer service and fact-finding calls, to ensure accurate information and compliance with established procedures.
• Develop internal policies and procedures to improve coordination among managers and key personnel.
• Keep staff informed of management goals and changes to policies and procedures.
• Develop policies and procedures to improve operational quality and meet federal Department of Labor requirements for benefit accuracy, quality, and timeliness.
• Analyze workload and quality reports to assess progress toward goals and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Prepare the State Quality Service Plan when performance measures do not meet established standards.
• Respond to constituent complaints and inquiries.
• Assists program staff with daily operations to support the achievement of performance goals.

Planning and Departmental Collaboration

• Collaborate with department and division management to evaluate and resolve operational problems within the UI program and make appropriate decisions to enhance program effectiveness.
• Work with the Department and Division leadership to develop strategic plans that maximize UI Benefits Bureau performance and align with the Department’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Represent the UI Benefits Bureau in collaborating with department leadership on significant departmental projects and issues.

What You’ll Bring

Strategic leadership, strong coaching, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with department and division leadership. Contribute to developing and implementing strategic plans that maximize UI Benefits Bureau performance and align with the Department’s mission, vision, and goals. Additionally, strong communication and relationship-building skills to represent the Bureau in significant departmental projects and initiatives, identify opportunities for operational improvement, and ensure bureau priorities support broader departmental objectives.

About Iowa Workforce Development

Iowa Workforce Development is committed to supporting Iowans and employers through comprehensive workforce services. Our statewide network provides resources for employment, training, disability assistance, unemployment services, and more.

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• 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.

For additional information on benefits.

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.

No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Selected positions will be subject to a criminal background check.

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

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to four years of full-time professional work in unemployment insurance, program administration, management or development.
2. A total of eight years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes four years of full-time work as a Workforce Advisor, Field Auditor, Job Insurance Quality Auditor, Investigator 2, or Employer Liability Specialist.

Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.