Director of Strategic Initiatives

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 Strategic Initiatives 
Job Title: Director IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: DIRECTOR OF IT BUSINESS OPS 
Posting Number: 10122 
Closing Date: 01/07/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-29 
Salary Range: $8,488.33 - $11,422.16 
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: 701 W 51ST 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 
 
 

Director IV / Director of Strategic Initiatives 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 Strategic Initiatives section. This includes providing oversight for all IT division legislative coordination efforts, audit coordination and compliance, e-discovery and open records requests, and the Office of e-Health Coordination. This role also provides effective administrative support to the e-Health Advisory Committee. The role 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 strategic plan and IT division objectives.
• Provides vision and strategic direction for the IT Strategic Initiatives section, including the e-Health and e-Discovery unit, IT Audit Coordination unit, legislative coordination, 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 Strategic Initiatives section, directly overseeing all IT division legislative coordination, audit coordination and compliance, e-discovery and open records requests, Office of e-Health Coordination, and e-Health Advisory Committee activities.
• Supports the deputy chief information officer in managing the Admin and Finance department on legislative, audit, e-discovery, open records requests, Office of e-Health Coordination, and e-Health Advisory Committee matters.
• Provides effective administrative support for the e-Health Advisory Committee.
• 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 legislative, e-discovery, Public Information Act, Audit, and e-health responsibilities.

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

• Ensures all IT Strategic Initiative activities operate within agency policies, procedures, and relevant legislation, including state statutes and professional standards.
• Reviews and interprets legislation, audit findings, and regulations, recommending and implementing necessary changes.
• Promulgates administrative rules and maintains bylaws in support of the e-Health advisory committee.

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.

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 of complex legislative activities, ensure efficiency practices are in place to support the IT division during and between legislative sessions.
• Oversees IT division response to audits and open records requests, achieving respective outcomes timely.
• Proposes and implements initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, reduce waste, and maximize value for taxpayers.

6. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement (10 percent)

• Effectively communicates information and processes pertaining to Strategic Initiative activities, tailoring messages to diverse audiences.
• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships, to include an executive commissioner-appointed advisory committee, 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 Strategic Initiatives 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 Strategic Initiatives section and the IT division.
• Assesses the state of the IT legislative coordination, audit coordination and compliance, e-discovery and open records requests, Office of e-Health Coordination, and e-Health Advisory Committee activities initiatives, recommending and implementing strategies to achieve success.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation in legislative coordination, audit coordination and compliance, e-discovery and open records requests, Office of e-Health Coordination, and e-Health Advisory Committee activities, leveraging best practices and emerging technologies.

8. Section Performance (10 percent)

• Ensures the IT Strategic Initiative 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 legislative coordination, audit coordination and compliance, e-discovery and open records requests, e-Health, and advisory committees, including applicable Texas statutes, rules, and policies.
• Knowledge of Information Technology.
• Knowledge of leadership principles.
• Skill in interpreting complex data.
• Skill in leading effective and efficient organizations.
• Skill in complex legislative processes and exceptional items.
• Ability to think analytically.
• Ability to think critically.
• Ability to interpret and apply Texas statutes, rules, and policies.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Five years of work experience in a leadership role is required.
• Five years of work experience in a business operations role is required.
• Experience overseeing legislative processes 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. 

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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

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.