Digital Transformation & Product Strategy Manager (Public Service Administrator, Option 3)

Are you looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values their staff? The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is seeking a seasoned technical leader to serve as the Digital Transformation & Product Strategy Manager, supporting the Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to the CIO, acting as the primary driver for human-centered service delivery and the modernization of the agency’s digital product portfolio. We are looking for a leader who can bridge the gap between policy goals and user-focused technology. You will be responsible for navigating complex organizational landscapes to maintain momentum on high-impact initiatives, ensuring that digital products are simple, secure, and sustainable. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing product roadmaps, leading scaled agile delivery, and managing vendor performance in a large-scale environment. If you possess these knowledges, skills, abilities, and experience, we invite you to apply for this position to join the DoIT Team! As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including: Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position) 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment) 12 days of paid sick time annually which carry over year to year 3 paid personal business days per year 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years 12 weeks of paid parental leave Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP) Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: Why Work for Illinois? Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois. Essential Functions Under general direction, serves as the Digital Transformation & Product Strategy Manager for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), supporting the Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) leading the creation of the agency’s digital transformation roadmap and product strategy by integrating human-centered design and modern product management to improve service delivery for Illinois families. Directs strategic requirements engineering and backlog governance, including establishing rigorous frameworks for translating executive and user needs into technical specifications. Leads the creation of the agency’s digital transformation roadmap and product strategy by integrating human-centered design and modern product management to improve service delivery for Illinois families. Supervises Contractual Staff. Keeps abreast of new developments in the information technology field by continuing education through online training platforms, meetings, training sessions, seminars, and conferences to increase familiarity with and remain current on products, vendors, techniques, and procedures. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. Minimum Qualifications Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of college in computer science, engineering design, product innovation, information system management, or a direct Information Technology related field. Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years progressively responsible administrative experience in digital product management, agile delivery leadership, or organizational transformation within a large-scale public or private enterprise environment. Specialized Skills Requires three (3) years of professional experience managing the full product lifecycle, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, requirements engineering, agile delivery, resource and risk management, post-launch optimization of digital services, and delivering digital roadmaps that incorporate human-centered design, UX best practices, and modern technical environments such as Saas, cloud services, and CI/CD. Requires three (3) years of professional experience managing cross-functional teams (such as developers, UX designers, or analysts) in a Scaled Agile or high-velocity delivery environment, including leading program-level planning events (e.g., PI Planning), facilitating retrospectives, driving continuous improvements, and ensuring unified planning and predictable outcomes across multiple teams. Requires three (3) years of professional experience in vendor management, budget oversight, and strategic resource planning, including monitoring contractual compliance, coordinating onboarding and required training, evaluating performance against deliverables, and collaborating with executive and operational stakeholders to support digital transformation goals, contract renewal decisions, and overall service quality. Preferred Qualifications Three (3) years of professional experience managing the full product lifecycle, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, requirements engineering, agile delivery, resource and risk management, post-launch optimization of digital services, and delivering digital roadmaps that incorporate human-centered design, UX best practices, and modern technical environments such as Saas, cloud services, and CI/CD. Three (3) years of professional experience managing cross-functional teams (such as developers, UX designers, or analysts) in a Scaled Agile or high-velocity delivery environment, including leading program-level planning events (e.g., PI Planning), facilitating retrospectives, driving continuous improvements, and ensuring unified planning and predictable outcomes across multiple teams. Three (3) years of professional experience in vendor management, budget oversight, and strategic resource planning, including monitoring contractual compliance, coordinating onboarding and required training, evaluating performance against deliverables, and collaborating with executive and operational stakeholders to support digital transformation goals, contract renewal decisions, and overall service quality. Three (3) years of professional experience as a product owner performing systems and business analysis, including feasibility assessments, backlog governance, and translating executive and user needs into technical specifications. Three (3) years of professional experience leading organizational transformation, specifically driving a cultural shift from project-based delivery to product-based, including continuous improvement models using agile principles. Two (2) years of professional experience in organizational change management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and agile maturity through program-level retrospectives and coaching. Extensive knowledge of Human-Centered Design (HCD) and User Experience (UX) methodologies to improve service delivery and user outcomes. Extensive knowledge of the modern technical landscape, including SaaS configurations, cloud-native service delivery, and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CI/CD) standards to optimize performance and reliability. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state, or private business staff, managers, executives, and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration in resolving sensitive administrative issues and supporting subordinate team members or project staff. Certification(s) in one or more of the following: Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), or similarly related methodologies. Conditions of Employment NOTE: Applicants must possess the ability to meet ALL of the following conditions of employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. Requires the ability to verify identity. Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full-time position with the State of Illinois. Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check and requires self-disclosure of criminal history. Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties with occasional overnight stays. Requires the ability to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, short notice, evening, weekends, and holidays. Requires the ability to serve in an on-call capacity. Requires the ability to lift and carry objects or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds. This is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing. Requires adherence to the revolving door restrictions outlined in 5 ILCS 430/5-45. Consequently, employees should be aware that in the event of receiving a non-State employment offer during state employment or within one year immediately following the termination of State employment, they are required to inform the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies (OEIG) of the Illinois Governor before accepting such non-State employment. Failure to notify the OEIG may result in the imposition of a fine. Requires compliance with the provisions outlined in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, necessating the occupant of this position to file of a Statement of Economic Interest. Pursuant to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.), specific state officials and employees are required to annually submit Statements of Economic Interest to the Office of the Secretary of State, which will be accessible to the public for examination and copying. Employees subject to this requirement must also file a Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission, as specified in Executive Order 15-09. Failure to submit these statements in a timely manner may result in fines and penalties. The conditions of employment listed are incorporated and/or related to any duties included in the position description. Work Hours Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm (work hours may vary) Headquarter Location 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661 Work County Cook Agency Contact Brittany Vespa Email View email address on click.appcast.io Posting Group Leadership & Management; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics This position DOES contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs). Department of Innovation & Technology (DolT) The Department of Innovation & Technology (DolT) is the state's IT agency delivering an enterprise approach to statewide technology, innovation, and telecommunication services, as well as policy and standards development, lifecycle investment planning, and cybersecurity services. With over 1,500 employees, DolT delivers IT services and innovative solutions to customer agencies to improve services provided to Illinois residents, DolT offers employees the opportunity to advance their careers, develop new skills and reach their potential, both personally and professionally. DoIT is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Nearest Major Market Chicago #J-18808-Ljbffr Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)