Data & Technology Innovation Manager

Job Title: Data & Technology Innovation Manager

Position Supervisor: Assistant Director, Process Innovation

Classification Level: Exempt

Location: Arlington, VA / Hybrid

Position Timeline: October 2027

Supervisor Responsibilities: Yes

APHSA is recruiting new talent! We seek an ambitious new hire who is efficient and successful at managing projects that bring people, technology, and community together to advance customer-centered improvements in delivering public benefits.

APHSA is an association representing state and local health and human services agencies. With and through these members, we work to advance solutions centered on administering, overseeing, and aligning programs to provide access to food, health care, housing, employment, childcare, community support, and other key building blocks.

Join a team of dedicated professionals who are results-oriented and impact systems nationwide! Our team at APHSA needs a person like you who leans forward and feels comfortable engaging with teammates, thought leaders, and partners. We’re seeking an innovative, solution-oriented action-taker who will add to our collaborative team environment.

We seek someone who thrives in a team environment. We need someone comfortable working on multiple cross-functional internal teams to advance the internal and external work with kindness, compassion, inclusion, and a can-do spirit.

Your direct supervisor and coach will be the Assistant Director of Process Innovation. Your support will be the entire APHSA organization because we work best when we all work together!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Data & Technology Innovation The manager will manage data and technology-focused projects within APHSA’s Process Innovation portfolio. The position will work directly with state health, human services, and labor agencies – as well as their partners – to develop and implement technology-enabled initiatives that lead to customer-centered improvements to program delivery. This position will also liaise with APHSA learning communities focused on digital and technical innovations and partner networks to foster relationships and broaden the reach of APHSA’s efforts to support technology and process innovation within human services agencies.

Major Responsibility #1: Lead the successful implementation of APHSA data and technology innovation projects (70%).

• In partnership with other project team members, develop and manage detailed project schedules and work plans for the Process Innovation portfolio of contracts and grants
• Provide direct technical assistance on technical and data-driven alignment tactics to support state and local human services agencies participating in process innovation grant projects
• Facilitate cohort learning and peer-to-peer support across participating project sites
• Develop and manage reporting requirements for participating project sites
• Develop knowledge content, distilling insights and lessons learned from site-based projects for broader APHSA member field support
• Support events and design of web-based platforms that document resources and build a knowledge base on process innovation for human services agencies

Major Responsibility #2: Lead development of digital resources and products to build sector capacity for modernizing systems and services (15%).

• Facilitate presentations and peer-to-peer sharing using APHSA platforms to disseminate learnings from project-based work to broader APHSA membership.
• Lead creation of work products such as blogs, issue briefs, webinars, toolkits, infographics, and literature reviews that display a sophisticated understanding of Process Innovation across human services.
• Manage cross-functional project teams, including delegating project-related tasks within APHSA and across core partnerships.
• Oversee management of online peer support and learning tools.

Major Responsibility #3: Lead partnerships and collaboration across the Process Innovation Portfolio (10%).

• Support APHSA’s affinity group of human services Chief Information Officers (IT Solutions Management for Human Services or “ISM”) and related issue committees and workgroups
• Foster and expand working relationships with national and community partners in fields such as civic tech and industry to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration
• Represent APHSA at national events and stakeholder meetings related to AI, data, and analytics
• Scan the national landscape for tools and resources to incorporate into APHSA technology and interoperability strategies and to share with APHSA members, curating email, social media, publications, and other communication platforms

Other Duties #4 (5%): Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Proven ability to work effectively and translate between technical and policy-oriented collaborators to achieve shared goals. Established knowledge of human services and related sectors of government.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical projects. Experience managing technical projects in the public sector is preferred.
• Knowledge of or experience in Artificial Intelligence, Process Innovation, Business Process Change, Design Frameworks, and related subject areas
• Demonstrated experience facilitating engaging, issue-oriented meetings around technology and policy issues, preferably experience with engaging bipartisan government leaders.
• Experience incorporating perspectives of multiple communities and knowledge of how structural racism and bias impact underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of how to weave human-centered design and equity principles into public sector technology and operations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Self-organized and has experience compiling deliverables to report the progress of grants and managing work plans.
• Understanding the relationship between policy, operations, technology, and procurement in advancing process improvement within public systems is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and proficiency in Zoom for planning and facilitating virtual meetings.
• Strong understanding of government agencies' operations and how technology, procurement, and operations interact with and influence program services.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with different stakeholders in a bipartisan manner to achieve shared goals.
• Commitment to and understanding how to improve customer experience within services that support the well-being of people and communities.
• Practical management skills and ability to coach and provide guidance to support direct reports.
• Effectively provides feedback on employee work performance.

Key Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of relevant work experience, including 2-3 years of supervisory experience
• Exceptional drafting and reviewing skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of assessing risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple deliverables.
• Previous experience in a non-profit or association organization is desirable but not mandatory.

At APHSA, we value and support our staff's health, well-being, and future. Our benefit package is based on improving employee morale, which fosters a work environment where staff can thrive and feel accomplished. Aside from essential benefits such as employer coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance, we also offer additional employee benefits and perks like these:

• 3% contribution to 401k or ROTH Plan
• Hybrid work environment
• Additional discretionary holidays included 11 paid holidays.
• 20 vacation days
• 15 sick/wellness days
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• FSA (health, dependent, commuter)
• Optional employee-paid benefits (legal, pet insurance, critical illness, accident)

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Willingness to travel (up to 15%) as public health considerations permit.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit a resume and cover letter.

This employer participates in E-Verify for employment verification.

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) is a bipartisan national membership association representing state and local health and human services agencies and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. APHSA's dedication to promoting diversity, racial equity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is reflected in how we work and support our members. It is more than a commitment—it is the foundation of how we do what we do. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and recognize that building well-being starts with creating a space where our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic, unique selves to work.

Building on our long-standing relationships with health and human services leaders, we focus on generating pragmatic solutions that advance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.