Working Title: Continuous Improvement Manager Department of Employment and Economic Development Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible for some telework Full/Part Time: Full-Time Regular/Temporary: Date Posted: 08/14/2026 Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Employment and Economic Development / Managerial Division/Unit: Paid Family and Medical Leave Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift Days of Work: Monday - Friday Travel Required: No Salary Range: $41.58 - $60.10 / hourly; $Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrepresented Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes Paid Leave is a new program that launched January 1, 2026. The program provides partial wage replacement to Minnesota workers that are out of work due to a qualifying condition such as a serious health condition that prevents you from working, or when you need time to care for a family member or a new child.

The Paid

Leave team has high standards and an unrelenting commitment to serving Minnesotans.

The Continuous Improvement

Manager leads the organization's business process management capability, ensuring operational processes are designed, governed, and continuously improved to support efficient, scalable, and customer‑centered service delivery. This role serves as the operational owner for end‑to‑end business process design, partnering closely with Operations, Product Management, Policy, Quality, Training, and Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure operational processes evolve alongside new products, technology enhancements, and policy changes. The position establishes Paid Leave process standards, drives operational improvement initiatives, and ensures operational readiness for organizational change.

As the organization grows, this role will build and lead the Continuous Improvement function, including Business Process Analysts and Continuous Improvement specialists.

Business Process

Ownership & Operational Design - Priority designing how operational work is performed. Working in partnership with Operations, Product Management, Policy, Technology, and other stakeholders, this position establishes the operational design required to deliver consistent and high‑quality services.

Continuous

Improvement- Lead the operation's continuous improvement program by proactively identifying opportunities to improve operational performance. Through data analysis, employee engagement, root cause analysis, and Lean methodologies, this role drives measurable improvements in quality, timeliness, customer experience, and organizational effectiveness.

Operational

Governance and Readiness - The Continuous Improvement Manager ensures operational processes remain aligned with organizational priorities and that Operations is prepared to successfully implement new capabilities. This role establishes governance for business processes, manages the operational improvement portfolio, and partners across the organization to ensure operational readiness for change.

Organizational





Leadership - The Continuous Improvement Manager provides leadership for the Continuous Improvement function while fostering collaboration, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement. This role develops organizational capability in business process management, builds trusted partnerships across the organization, and influences strategic operational decisions through expertise and data‑driven recommendations. This position is telework 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. Paul office. Four (4) years of experience in continuous improvement, business process management, operational excellence, process improvement, operations management, organizational transformation, or a related field as determined by the agency.

Experience analyzing, designing, documenting, and improving complex business processes or operational workflows, including identifying root causes and developing solutions.

Experience leading cross‑functional process improvement or operational change initiatives from problem identification and analysis through implementation and measurement of results.

Experience using data and performance measures to identify improvement opportunities, develop recommendations, evaluate outcomes, and communicate findings to leaders and operational stakeholders.

Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, human‑centered design, business process management, or other structured continuous improvement methodologies.

Experience designing and governing complex end‑to‑end business processes, including process maps, standard operating procedures, business rules, process inventories, or similar documentation.

Experience establishing or advancing a continuous improvement, operational excellence, or business process management function, including building organizational capability through common standards, coaching, facilitation, or training.

Experience assessing operational impacts and readiness for technology, product, policy, or organizational changes and partnering across functions such as Product Management, Technology, PMO, Training, Quality, and Policy.

Experience delivering measurable improvements in operational performance, including efficiency, quality, timeliness, customer or employee experience, automation, waste reduction, or process simplification, preferably within a complex or regulated service‑delivery workplace.

The Minnesota

Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. Connection with their coworkers and communities Opportunities for personal and professional growth As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota,



along with other benefits to help you and your family be well. Paid vacation and sick leave ~12 paid holidays each year ~ Low‑cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans ~ Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children ~6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children ~ Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years) ~ Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death ~ Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury ~ Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care ~ Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being Support To Help You Reach Your Career Goals Training, classes, and professional development Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.Employee Assistance Program (EAP) For Work/life Support A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at (phone hidden) or email [email protected] Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please contact Karen Lilledahl at Karen.

📌 Continuous Improvement Manager - State Program Administrator Manager (Saint Paul)
🏢 Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment
📍 Saint Paul