Director of Strategy & Performance

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Brief Job Description:

The HHSC Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) division seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Director of Strategy & Performance (Portfolio Project Manager I) in the MCS Operations Department. This position reports to the Deputy Executive Commissioner (DEC) for Operations and performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing portfolio project management and guidance in strategic operations and planning.  MCS Operations is a department critical to the functioning of Texas Medicaid, one of the largest healthcare programs in the country, providing services to approximately 4 million Texans.  Operations delivers infrastructure that crosses both the managed care and fee-for-service delivery models. This includes claims resolution, acute care claims processing, provider enrollment, IDD Waiver Programs, Vendor Drug Program, and management of Medicaid Modernization.  MCS is driven by its mission to deliver high quality, cost-effective services to Texans.

The Director of Strategy & Performance conducts advanced (senior-level) work providing direction and guidance in strategic operation, planning, project management, organizing, implementing and overseeing the overall operations for the department’s plans and reports, process, and quality improvement activities.  This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by ensuring that Operations teams are successful by creating solutions, processes and driving performance. The Director of Strategy & Performance will collaborate with staff across MCS to identify areas of efficiency and process improvement for the Operations department.  Other responsibilities include researching, preparing and presenting a broad variety of complex plans, reports, briefings, talking points, correspondence, memorandums, presentations and other documents related to programs administered by the DEC of MCS Operations. The position employs a high level of judgement and decision-making to ensure the strategic vision and goals of the agency are met through proactive strategic guidance, direction, and planning.  

The ideal candidate must be highly competent and thrive in an environment that highlights the ability to assess, plan and manage a variety of operational activities; engage in and foster teamwork to achieve goals; achieve excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability; maintain curiosity to continuously grow and learn; use critical thinking for effective execution; and maintain integrity to do things right even when doing what is right is not easy.  

Expectations include driving organizational excellence through projects, people, and processes to include establishing the strategic plan; goals and objectives; developing policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for improving operational performance and outcomes; coordinating and evaluating program activities and/or business functions; and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public.

This role contributes to the development and continuous improvement of services, policies, processes, and programs delivered.  The Portfolio Project Manager must be an excellent and resilient leader who thinks critically and can discover the most efficient ways to collaboratively safeguard and augment the efficiency of operations to facilitate development, execution, and long-term success.  This position is currently an individual contributor but may supervise the work of others under minimal supervision, and with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

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

(40%) Project Management: Directs and provides project management oversight functions within Operations, to include training, special projects, research, planning, policy, bill analysis and legislative implementations, program assessment, and administrative activities. Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions; and identifies need for changes. Must work with Operations and various department leaders across the agency to ensure programs and work efforts are effective and standardized.

(25%) Planning: Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan. Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines and monitors compliance. Develops and oversees the implementation of long-range and short-term plans. Reviews and provides recommendations as to department impact and implementation of results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance.

(15%) Employee Supervision and Development: Plans, assigns, and may supervise the work of staff and provides employee development through mentoring, coaching, training, and professional development opportunities.  Establishes and maintains collaborative and effective working relationships and communication with agency staff as well as those from other agencies and organizations, appropriately interacts with others, and provides complete and timely responses to requests and inquiries. Represents the agency at business meetings, legislative sessions, or on boards, panels, and committees in a positive manner.

(15%) Process Improvement: Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and business functions within MCS Operations.  Identifies trends and recommends system improvements to executive leadership.  Designs and implements workflow and productive measures to meet organizational needs and program requirements.  Regularly evaluates the efficiency of business procedures according to organizational objectives and applies improvements.  Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies. May supervise the work of others. Performs related work as assigned, timely and accurately.

(5%) Other duties as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification required, Project Management (PMP) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of

• Accepted portfolio management methodologies.
• Local, state and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Federal laws, regulations, and processes regarding Medicaid and CHIP.
• Audit principles, to include third-party audits and developing scope of work.
• Developing budgets, schedules, work plans, resource requirements, and other projections relevant to office operations.

Skill in

• Working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Developing criteria for evaluating programs, proposals, and other information related to portfolio management.
• Written and oral communication, including the ability to speak publicly and serve as agency spokesperson in matters related to program management and operations.

Ability to

• Think critically, analyze, and solve problems.
• Make decisions affecting overall operations, and to comprehensively and accurately prepare and evaluate reports in a highly complex environment.
• Plan, assign and supervise the work of others.
• Develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Initial Selection Critiera

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.  Major course work in a field relevant to operations, business processes, or public administration generally preferred.

• 10 years of experience in managing staff.
• 10 years of experience in and knowledge of project management principles and techniques.
• 15 years of experience in establishing processes and procedural documents.
• Experience with Microsoft applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and/or Project, or other process documentation software.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and CHIP preferred.

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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