Director III

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

This Director III position in HHS IT Strategy team performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing guidance in strategic operations and planning. This position has direct interaction with HHSC and DSHS programs and is responsible for ensuring that all IT services are seamlessly delivered to them. This position is responsible for establishing the strategic plan, goals and objectives; developing policies, procedures and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinating and evaluating program activities and/or business functions; establishing IT best practices and processes for efficient and faster identification of IT solutions to business problems and continuous delivery of IT services.

This position works very closely with Business Relationship Managers, Governance Engagement Mangers, IT Application Services, Infrastructure Services, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Project Management Office and other IT divisions for establishment of strategy, implementation and management of the Information technology processes. This position emphasizes on stakeholder perspectives and consideration of costs and benefits; assists with portfolio decisions regarding IT investments. Supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Identifies the business problems that need strategic direction and initiates strategy conversations and processes with Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and other IT divisions, as needed. Develops an implementation plan based on the strategic conversations and develops a roadmap for resolution of business problems. Establishes short- and long-term goals and objectives that support the overall IT strategy and Business strategy with an objective to bring alignment between the two. Guides team members, Business Relationship Managers, and IT Applications team in building Application Roadmaps for DSHS and HHSC Applications, assists CTO in making strategic decisions that will help modernize the legacy applications, and manage a healthy IT footprint. (20%)

Uses their expertise and experience to ensure right solutions are being identified for business problems. Provides communication of the project portfolio to IT directors and business owners to drive prioritization and resource allocations to successfully deliver key projects. Provides leadership and guidance to ensure IT projects identified as critical to IT and business are delivering value, completed on time and within budget. Helps the Project Managers to identify the go-to-green plans that align with business strategy and needs; that will be acceptable to the project sponsors and executive sponsors. (20%)

Works in coordination with the HHS IT directors and HHS agency IRMs to identify and resolve operational issues that can impede the priorities of business. Defines structure, methods, and processes for resolution of business problems. Guides the teams to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to avoid the recurrence. Ensures communication flows seamlessly between different groups and that the leadership receives timely updates. (20%)

Provides input to system-wide IT standards, policies, practices and procedures related to security, application development and maintenance, data center, customer support, system support services, business operations, technology planning, and project management; analyzes policies and procedures, Legislative Mandates, Bills to identify downstream dependencies and incorporates into strategic plans; ensures that the program areas are aware of IT policies, procedures and processes to request technical assistance for the agency. (20%)

Hires and manages staff and recommends appropriate personnel actions. Provides direct reports with work assignments, clear direction on responsibilities and performance expectations. Conducts performance evaluations. Oversees the development and advancement of staff through training and development plans. Disseminates information and management decisions to staff regarding departmental activities. Provides staff with tools and information needed to carry out their responsibilities successfully. Reviews and approves leave and carries out other expected human resources activities. Provides direction to subordinate managers regarding activities and operations of their functional areas and oversees the improvement of the operations. (20%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of DIR’s Texas Project Delivery Framework.

Knowledge of public sector practices, processes, standards, and methodologies.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning

Knowledge of project, program and portfolio management principles and practices.

Knowledge of large-scale IT operations and information technology industry trends.

Knowledge of change management, incident management best practices for technology issues.

Knowledge of large procurements and overseeing complex information technology contracts.

Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.

Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex information technology applications, policies, issues, legislative mandates, standards, policies and procedures.

Skill in gathering input, formulating a plan, providing follow-through and carrying it to fruition

Skill in developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and issues.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively at all levels of an organization and other agencies.

Skill in effectively supervising staff by providing leadership, exercising authority, promoting employee development, and modeling and encouraging effective working relationships with stakeholders.

Ability to understand complex technical architecture and to execute based on the strategic vision. 

Ability to plan and coordinate complex information technology projects.

Ability to effectively communicate, complex information to a variety of audiences, verbally and in writing.

Ability to plan, direct and coordinate work activities as well as supervise and evaluate the work of others.

Ability to translate user/business needs into technical roadmaps

Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions

Ability to bring about consensus on contradicting views

Ability to analyze and document ambiguous and continuously evolving business needs.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Information Technology, Computer Science, business administration, management information systems, or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another up to 4 years. At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in IT, with at least 3-5 years of experience in managing software development and/or software quality assurance teams is required. Experience in program/portfolio management, IT operational support, project delivery, IT Governance is preferred. Experience in developing product roadmaps and technology roadmaps is preferred.

Additional Information:

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form