Director of IT Budget and Workforce Optimization

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.

Functional Title: Director of IT Budget and Workforce Optimization 
Job Title: Director IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: IT Internal Marketing 
Posting Number: 10012 
Closing Date: 01/05/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-29 
Salary Range: $8,488.33 - $14,356.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel:  
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0 
97E0,SEI15 
 
 

The Director of IT Budget and Workforce Optimization reports to the deputy chief information officer (DCIO) for Admin and Finance and serves in a senior leadership role within the IT division’s Admin and Finance department. This role provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and direct management of the IT Budget and Workforce Optimization section. This includes providing oversight for highly complex state technology budgets, as well as responsibility for optimizing the agency’s 1,500-member technology workforce. This role serves as a fiduciary for public resources and ensures alignment with agency goals, compliance with state and federal regulations, and the delivery of high-quality IT services to support the mission of the HHS system.

Must be willing to work onsite at an Austin, TX HHS office three (3), or more, days per week. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision (20 percent)

• Develops and implements short- and long-term goals, strategies, and initiatives that align with the HHSC and IT division strategic plans and objectives.
• Provides vision and strategic direction for the IT Budget and Workforce Optimization section, including the HHSC IT Budget, DSHS IT Budget, Time and Cost Allocation, and Workforce Optimization units, ensuring these functions support the broader mission and goals of HHS.
• Advises the deputy chief information officer and senior leadership on strategic priorities, resource allocation, and emerging trends in IT and business operations.

2. Departmental Oversight & Collaboration (10 percent)

• Serves as the primary leader of the IT Budget and Workforce Optimization section, directly overseeing all budget and forecast management, time and cost allocation, and workforce optimization activities. This includes overseeing the monitoring of IT operating budgets by funding sources across projects and the IT departments, sections and units, as well as financial reporting for capital projects and large IT projects for state reporting requirements.
• Supports the deputy chief information officer in managing the Admin and Finance department on budget and forecast management, time and cost allocation, and workforce optimization matters. This includes overseeing the development of biennial budget, legislative base capital, and legislative exceptional item requests, as well as capital budget reporting for annual financial reporting and external agency reporting for leadership approval.
• Coordinates and finalizes legislative requests for base and exceptional item requests for the Legislative Appropriation Request, Biennial Operating Plan, and Capital Expenditure Plan, as well as IT bill analyses, bill implementation, and all IT legislative rider reports.
• Coordinates and integrates efforts across the HHS system to promote good stewardship of public resources and continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with HHS workforce members to ensure cohesive operations and achievement of the IT division’s fiscal and staffing responsibilities.

3. Policy, Compliance & Program Administration (10 percent)

• Ensures all IT Budget and Workforce Optimization activities operate within agency policies, procedures, and relevant legislation, including state statutes and professional standards.
• Reviews and interprets legislation, audit findings, and regulations pertinent to budget and forecast management, time and cost allocation, and staffing, recommending and implementing necessary changes.
• Oversees compliance with budget and forecast management, time and cost allocation, and human resources policies, to maximize the effectiveness of federal and state funding.

4. Performance Management & Staff Development (10 percent)

• Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership to section staff, setting clear expectations and holding team members accountable for performance and program goals.
• Hires, manages, and develops section staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Implements individualized development plans and career paths for section staff, promoting professional growth, leadership development, and credentialing in a manner that aligns with the IT division’s upskilling efforts.
• Implements performance evaluations, disseminates management decisions, and ensures section staff have the tools and information needed for success.
• Oversees the recruitment and optimization of the IT workforce.
• Promotes professional growth, leadership development, and credentialing in a manner that aligns with the IT division’s upskilling efforts.
• Provides guidance on performance evaluations and management decisions and ensures the IT workforce have the tools and information needed for success.

5. Operational Excellence & Resource Stewardship (10 percent)

• Demonstrates good stewardship of public resources, always upholding fiduciary responsibility to Texans.
• Monitors ongoing activities to promote operational excellence, recommending timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals.
• Oversees the management complex IT division budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and good stewardship of public resources.
• Maximizes the effectiveness and impact of allocated funds through cost avoidance, leveraging federal funds, strategic and operational planning, proper forecasting, and process improvements.
• Proposes and implements initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, reduce waste, and maximize value for taxpayers.

6. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement (10 percent)

• Effectively communicates fiscal and workforce strategy, concepts, policies, goals, objectives, issues, and changes to internal and external stakeholders, tailoring messages to diverse audiences.
• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships, responding to requests for information and assistance in a timely and professional manner.
• Represents the deputy chief information officer for Admin and Finance, HHSC, and the IT division at business meetings, legislative sessions, seminars, conferences, workgroups, and committees.
• Distills complex budget-related information into actionable insights for senior and executive leadership.

7. Continuous Improvement & Innovation (10 percent)

• Champions process improvement initiatives, adapting to changing priorities and driving transformation within the IT Budget and Workforce Optimization section and the IT division.
• Assesses the state of the IT division’s financial position and workforce, recommending and implementing strategies to enhance budget and forecast management, time and cost allocation, and staffing.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation in budget and forecast management, time and cost allocation, and staffing, leveraging best practices and emerging technologies.
• Identifies opportunities to contribute to the IT division’s workforce upskilling efforts.

8. Section Performance (10 percent)

• Ensures the IT Budget and Workforce Optimization section meets or exceeds targets established for relevant performance measures.

9. Attendance & Additional Duties (10 percent)

• Represents the deputy chief information officer in budget and workforce-related meetings and workgroups, or as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including supporting special initiatives, work efforts, assignments, improvement efforts, tasks, and projects, as needed.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance in accordance with agency policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of business operations.
• Knowledge budget management and forecasting, time and cost allocation, and workforce optimization principles, including applicable Texas statutes, rules, and policies.
• Knowledge of leadership principles.
• Knowledge of Information Technology.
• Skill in interpreting complex data.
• Skill in leading effective and efficient organizations.
• Skill in complex budget management and forecasting.
• Ability to think analytically.
• Ability to think critically.
• Ability to interpret and apply Texas statutes, rules, and policies.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Certified Government Finance Officer, Certified Public Finance Offers, or Certified Government Financial Manager is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Five years in a leadership role.
• Five years in a business operations role.
• Experience overseeing complex state budgets 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.

• Selected candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

• Selected candidate must be willing to work from an HHS office located in Austin, designated by the hiring manager. 

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.