Phoenix, AZ - Business Operations - AZDES - DAAS - Project Manager

Abacus Service Corporation is recruiting for a confidential client for a Project Manager role supporting the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). The role coordinates DAAS’s IT systems replacement project, continuous improvement initiatives, strategic projects, and executive reporting.

Responsibilities:

• 40% – IT Systems Replacement Coordination & Implementation: Serves as the primary operational liaison between DAAS program units, internal Enterprise IT, and external vendor development teams to ensure division business requirements and regulatory standards are met throughout the systems replacement lifecycle. Coordinates cross-functional workgroups, tracks milestone deliverables, and oversees User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and operational readiness
• 25% – Implementation of Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Manages implementation plans for divisional continuous improvement projects utilizing Lean thinking and Arizona Management System (AMS) principles to support operational efficiency and waste reduction. Tracks and coordinates the rollout of countermeasures—such as revised workflows, standard work, or visual management tools—and monitors key performance indicators to ensure sustainability
• 15% – Strategic Project Execution & Divisional Alignment: Partners with the Strategy Manager to plan, lead, and deliver high-priority strategic initiatives that support the division's multi-year goals. Defines project scope, monitors milestones, and prepares executive-level briefings to ensure strategic alignment across all programs
• 15% – Stakeholder Communication & Executive Reporting: Develops and maintains structured communication channels and reporting mechanisms to keep DAAS leadership and key stakeholders informed of project health, milestones, and risks. Prepares executive status presentations and performance briefings to drive transparency and data-informed decision-making
• 5% – Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other duties as assigned related to the position to support emerging division priorities, special assignments, and operational needs

Requirements:

• Knowledge of: Formal project management principles, methodologies, and frameworks across multiple disciplines, including Predictive (Waterfall) and Adaptive (Agile/Scrum/Kanban) delivery models
• Knowledge of: Lean and Six Sigma principles, continuous improvement tools, and operational management systems (e.g., Arizona Management System / AMS, DMAIC framework, 5S, visual management boards, countermeasure deployment)
• Knowledge of: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) phases, including business requirements gathering, workflow mapping, gap analysis, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) coordination
• Knowledge of: Strategic planning frameworks, Key Performance Indicator (KPI) development, and performance measurement methodologies
• Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of vendor coordination, contractual deliverable tracking, and milestone monitoring
• Knowledge of: State and federal administrative guidelines, data privacy standards, and public agency operations
• Skill in: Applying both Waterfall (Gantt charts, critical paths, milestone schedules) and Agile (sprint tracking, backlogs, user stories) project management tools and techniques
• Skill in: Managing project management software platforms and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Trello, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Monday.com, Visio, Lucid, SharePoint)
• Skill in: Developing clear, concise executive briefings, dashboards, status reports, and presentations tailored to diverse audiences
• Skill in: Facilitating productive cross-functional workgroups, requirement-vetting sessions, and stakeholder meetings
• Skill in: Identifying, analyzing, and documenting operational bottlenecks, project dependencies, and programmatic risks
• Skill in: Tracking, prioritizing, and managing implementation tasks and countermeasure schedules across multiple concurrent initiatives
• Ability to: Effectively bridge communication and translate concepts between non-technical program staff, internal enterprise IT professionals, and external third-party software developers
• Ability to: Organize, prioritize, and drive multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously under evolving operational priorities and deadlines
• Ability to: Build trust, consensus, and productive working relationships across varied organizational levels, external vendors, and community partners
• Ability to: Maintain objectivity, analyze quantitative/qualitative data, and make sound, evidence-based recommendations to leadership
• Ability to: Work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining strong strategic alignment with the Strategy Manager and executive priorities
• Ability to: Champion continuous improvement and adapt readily to shifting technological environments and organizational needs
• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent
• Active Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential (or equivalent entry/associate-level project management certification from a reputable, accredited entity such as the Project Management Institute [PMI])
• Valid Arizona Driver License (with an acceptable driving record, if occasional in-state travel is required)
• knowledge of human services, aging programs, or adult protective services is advantageous
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, Project Management, Healthcare Administration, or a closely related field
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Lean or Six Sigma certification (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Yellow Belt, or formal Arizona Management System / AMS certification)
• Agile or Scrum credentials (e.g., PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner [PMI-ACP], Certified ScrumMaster [CSM])