Innovation Program Analyst

Job Description and Duties

This position is being re-advertised. Those who have previously applied are still being considered and do not need to reapply.

The CalSTRS Enterprise Strategy Management (ESM) division is seeking a curious, detail-oriented Analyst II to join the Innovation Program within the Strategy and Organizational Performance (SOP) unit. The Innovation Program collects, tests, incubates and grows ideas to solve CalSTRS’ most pressing challenges.

The Innovation Program Analyst acts as a project manager and core contributor to innovation by coordinating activities, supporting program planning and maintaining program tools and platforms. The successful candidate will work with partners across the organization to collect and analyze ideas, plan and facilitate design sprints, and support workshops and brainstorming sessions. They also will assist in promoting a culture of innovation by communicating the value of program initiatives and innovation concepts. This is a task-oriented role focused on coordinating and executing program activities to ensure the program runs smoothly. A successful candidate will demonstrate a high degree of independence, excellent communication and organizational skills, and a strong attention to detail.

Innovation is an iterative, exploratory process to discover new products, services and processes. A successful candidate must have a creative, future-focused approach to problem solving. The Innovation Program Analyst should be flexible and comfortable with the ambiguity that comes with exploring new concepts. They must be willing to challenge traditional ideas, pivot as project needs change and remain persistent to find solutions. Curiosity and openness to new ideas are a must.

The Innovation Program Analyst serves under the direction of the SOP Manager with additional oversite from the Innovation Program Manager.

The SOP unit works with executive staff to draft the strategic plan for board approval and produces the annual business plan. Creates dashboards and documents progress quarterly on business plan objectives with the executive staff. Works with business area data stewards to collect performance data and create visual displays to use in the facilitation of branch business reviews. Leads Quarterly Performance Reviews with the executive staff and directors, linking service level objectives, management processes and systems with enterprise strategy. The goal is two-fold-one, to provide the organization with a roadmap for priorities, and two, to identify process areas that need attention to improve effectiveness and internal efficiency.

The ESM division drives strategic planning, organizational performance, enterprise sustainability, continuous improvement, research, and innovation at CalSTRS. The business areas in the division work together to increase CalSTRS' ability to integrate business intelligence into organizational planning and performance. The work of the division informs the Teachers' Retirement Board and the CalSTRS executive staff to arrive at sound decisions in pursuit of CalSTRS' strategic goals.

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills: Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to create alignment and buy-in. Experience scheduling and supporting executive-level meetings and workshops. Expertise in developing project plans and responding to timelines. Expertise in collecting, organizing, analyzing and synthesizing data. Experience with researching and documenting processes. Ability to create stories, reports and presentations that present program findings and insights in an impactful way. Ability to complete work products that demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving.

Desirable skills: Minimum two years of experience in project management, customer research, user experience, human-centered design or equivalent in a professional environment. Expertise using communication skills to articulate stories that promote empathy and inspiration. Experience applying design frameworks to identify, validate, prototype, pilot and scale concepts. Experience assisting in the development of user research, including designing and scoping projects. Ability to build internal relationships and foster knowledge sharing and engagement among teams. Ability to use creative thinking and curiosity to develop innovative solutions. Ability to demonstrate an open, inclusive mindset that keeps the customer centered in all decisions.

Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

Telework Information: CalSTRS offers a hybrid approach including in-office and remote work solutions with staff working on-site at our Headquarters in West Sacramento two days per week.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025. This program reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits for the duration of the program. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the reduced amounts.

Does this opportunity seem right for you? If so, see the Application Instructions section below and apply now.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

All staff of CalSTRS are employees of the State of California and subject to California employment taxes and withholdings. Upon appointment, staff are required to provide a current California address to CalSTRS Human Resources to be used as a remote work location.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment with CalSTRS.

Special Requirements

Exam

This position requires a current Analyst II  Exam . If you need to take the exam or if your score has expired, click here to gain list eligibility.

Background Investigation

Prior to employment with CalSTRS, a background investigation (BI) will be conducted. The BI consists of a Personal History Statement and fingerprinting through the Department of Justice. The BI will check criminal and civil records and, if applicable, verify education and check driving records.

CalSTRS Disclosure Requirements

This position may be subject to disclosure and disqualification requirements concerning economic conflict of interest in government work, including the  Conflict of Interest Code that applies to CalSTRS team members and the  Political Reform Act , which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a  Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) .

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Education

The following education is required when general experience is used to qualify at any level: equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) AND

Either I

Experience: One year of experience performing the duties of a Staff Services Analyst, Range C. or

Or II

Experience: Three years of professional analytical experience performing duties in one or a combination of the following or closely related areas: budgeting, management analysis, personnel, planning, program evaluation, or policy analysis.

Benefits

CalSTRS offers a competitive pay schedule and a work-life-balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Some benefits include:

• Alternative work schedules
• Flexible work hours
• Remote work options
• Medical benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid holidays and a defined benefit retirement program
• More than four weeks of vacation/sick leave for leaders
• More than three weeks of vacation/sick leave for staff
• Health insurance in retirement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Loan forgiveness under the federal 

For the latest information on the benefits offered by the state of California, explore the Health Benefits Summary provided by CalHR .

Additional Application Instructions

• Electronic applications through your CalCareer account are highly recommended.  If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail or drop off a hard copy of your application packet. Please provide the following information on your application: 815-104-5393-XXX RPA 0851, JC-521681
• If education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications, please submit a copy of your transcripts/degree.
• Training and development (T&D) assignments may be considered for this position. If you are applying as a T&D, please indicate this in the eligibility section of your application.
• Candidate may be selected by application packet review only.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
• Submission of an incomplete STD 678 may result in disqualification. 

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - A Cover Letter is required and must be included.