Operations Director

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: Operations Director 
Job Title: Director III 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: HHSC SystmSupt Svcs-Operations 
Posting Number: 10312 
Closing Date: 11/07/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28 
Salary Range: $7,716.66 - $13,051.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
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 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Operations Director (Director III) serves as a key leader on the Strategic Operations team, working under the direction of the Associate Commissioner for Strategic Operations, performing advanced (senior-level) managerial work. This position operates in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment, working with minimal supervision, and exercises strong initiative, sound judgment, and strategic decision-making.

The Operations Director provides strategic direction, operational oversight, and expert guidance across multiple Health and Human Services (HHS) programs to ensure seamless delivery of operational services. This includes setting strategic goals, managing special projects, developing policies and performance metrics, and leading initiatives that drive continuous improvement, efficiency, and alignment with HHS’s mission and objectives.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Leadership and Staff Development 

• Supervises a team of professional staff, including subordinate managers, assigning responsibilities, setting expectations, and evaluating performance.
• Promotes employee engagement, facilitates professional development, and ensures staff receives appropriate training and resources.
• Approves leave, manages onboarding, and ensures HR and training compliance.
• Models’ ethical leadership and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
• Experience in organizational leadership, training, and development.

Strategic Planning and Alignment 

• Leads the development of short- and long-term operational goals aligned with the agency’s strategic objectives.
• Identify business problems requiring executive intervention or strategic direction.
• Facilitates strategic discussions, develops implementation of roadmaps, and ensures execution of agency-level initiatives.
• Coordinates with leadership to align projects and operational plans with divisional and organizational priorities.

Performance, Policy, and Process Management 

• Develops and maintains operational policies, procedures, manuals, and process documentation.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators to assess operational effectiveness.
• Conducts program analyses, interprets data trends, and recommends improvements for efficiency and service quality.
• Analyzes legislative and policy changes to identify downstream impacts and integrate findings into planning efforts.

Stakeholder and Cross-Division Collaboration 

• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including Strategic Operations leaders, program directors, and external partners, to identify and resolve operational challenges.
• Promotes seamless communication across divisions and fosters partnerships to support strategic goals.
• Provides updates and recommendations to the Associate Commissioner and senior leadership.

Contract and Resource Oversight 

• Provides oversight and guidance on assigned contracts to ensure compliance with state procurement and contract management requirements.
• Coordinates with contract operations and fiscal staff to ensure proper documentation, reporting, and performance monitoring.
• Supports development of Statements of Work (SOWs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

Regular and predictable attendance in accordance with the agency’s leave policy is required. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Public sector practices, processes, and methodologies
• Business and management principles related to strategic planning, performance management, and organizational effectiveness
• Project and change management methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)
• Local, state, and federal laws related to Texas government operations and legislative processes
• State procurement and contracting policies, including the Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide
• HHS systems and reporting tools (e.g., System of Contract Operation and Reporting, SharePoint, Power BI, Power Automate)

Skill in:

• Analyzing and evaluating complex issues, data, and legislation
• Developing and implementing creative, workable solutions to organizational challenges
• Effective verbal and written communication and presentation to diverse audiences
• Building and maintaining collaborative relationships across divisions and agencies
• Supervising, coaching, and motivating staff to achieve performance outcomes.
• Managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Using data visualization tools and dashboards for performance tracking.
• Writing SOWs, RFPs, and other contracting documents.
• Records management and documentation control.

Ability to:

• Communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
• Plan, organize, and direct work activities and priorities.
• Manage multiple, competing demands with limited supervision.
• Translate business needs into process improvements and performance measures.
• Exercise sound judgment and make critical decisions.
• Build consensus and resolve conflicts across varying stakeholder perspectives.
• Analyze, document, and implement process improvements.
• Interpret and apply statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Supervise and develop employees.
• Synthesize technical and complex information into executive-level materials.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Six Sigma Black Belt (Lean)

• Change Management Certification

Preferred:

• Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM)
• Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD)

Note: The successful candidate must obtain CTCM within six (6) months of hire.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience leading, managing, and directing multidisciplinary staff.
• Five (5) years of experience in leadership managing multiple project teams, director (s), manager(s), and team leads
• Five (5) years of experience in change management, process and continuous improvement (six sigma or equivalent methodologies).
• Five (5) years of experience in developing operational procedures and process documentation.
• Experience using Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Project Management, Power BI, Power Automate, Adobe Creative Suite, other process documentation software.
• Five (5) year experience working in a large, complex public-sector organization preferred. 
• Five (5) year experience in organizational leadership, training, and development.
• Five (5) experience in cross-divisional or interagency collaboration.

Additional Information:

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

Salary is dependent upon budgetary availability. 

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.