Workforce Development Technical Product Owner - State Program Administrator, Manager

Working Title: Workforce Development Technical Product Owner

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager

Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Job ID : 98063
• Location : St. Paul
• Telework Eligible : Yes, may be eligible for some telework
• Full/Part Time : Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted : 10/30/2026
• Closing Date : 11/23/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Employment and Economic Development / Managerial
• Division/Unit : Comm Off/Support Branch / CO Analysis & Evaluation PPM
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : Yes, up to 5% daytime local and regional travel with occasional overnights for conferences
• Salary Range: $41.58 - $60.10 / hourly; $86,819 - $125,488 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrepresented
• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (mn.gov/mmb/…) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

DEED serves hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans in need of career support. Whether they are customers at a CareerForce center, users of our Unemployment Insurance system, or a participant in a reskilling program, DEED, and its nonprofit and county partners, offers the programs and tools to help Minnesota work. We seek to improve our systems to make them more functional and easier for our customers to navigate – and this is especially true for our digital presence.

This position exists to direct stakeholder and technical product management activities for several DEED workforce development technology systems. Represent program and agency leadership in technology decisions and approval of configured, procured, or developed functionality. Work closely with MN.IT at DEED and provide work direction to analysts, developers, and external service providers. Authorize and manage system specifications, quality control, and training activities for technology products. Manage and implement product communication plans, customer satisfaction measurement, and interaction with users. Contribute to the development of DEED’s long-term technology plan for workforce development program systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a cross-functional team, including program and technical leadership, to design and implement innovative solutions to bring DEED closer to, and better serve, our customers. This position will be charged with developing and delivering on a roadmap for DEED’s digital workforce services.
• Represent program and agency leadership in technology decisions and approval of configured, procured, or developed functionality.
• Work closely with program and senior leadership of DEED and MN.IT at DEED and provide work direction to technical staff and external service providers.
• Authorize and manage system specifications, quality control, and training activities for technology products.
• Provide prioritization of changes and identifies shared interests and opportunities for shared investment amongst stakeholders.
• Manage and implement product communication plans, customer satisfaction measurement, interaction with users, and contribute to the development of DEED’s long-term technology plan.

We are looking for a passionate advocate for DEED stakeholders and customer base who loves relationship building, consensus creation, and fun.

This position is telework (mn.gov/mmb-stat/…) eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

This position will be based out of the St. Paul office.

This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Four (4) years* of experience in the areas of digital transformation or technical project ownership including managing projects involving technology analysts or developers and/or experience in leading, implementing, or managing large information technology systems.

*Bachelor's degree in computer science, economics, political science, business, or a closely related field, as determined by the agency, may substitute for one (1) year of experience; a master's degree may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

• Experience in project management, involving a complex group of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to conceptualize, design, plan, implement, and meet deadlines, and summarize lessons and next steps
• Ability to lead complex teams of stakeholders and technical experts from conception to completion within timeline and budget parameters
• Ability to manage vendors and navigate and test applications
• Knowledge of tools to provide service to customers digitally and apply knowledge to developing a roadmap for digital services
• Skills in communication and facilitation skills to provide technical information and influence a team to generate desired outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in administration of State of Minnesota programs
• Experience in digital transformation in large institutions
• Ability to apply Agile principles and processes
• Skill in communication to provide clear and precise direction, giving technical presentations, and applying Plain Language principles
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Driver’s License and Records Check

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.