ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV), ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

About the role

The Houston Health Department's Access to Healthcare Division improves health outcomes by expanding access to high‑quality, affordable safety‑net healthcare services for Houston's most vulnerable populations. The division oversees health centers, immunization services, tuberculosis and STI clinics, family planning, oral health, chronic disease prevention, the See to Succeed school‑based vision program, healthcare billing and revenue cycle operations, and collaborates with providers, community organizations, academic institutions, and governmental partners to advance equitable healthcare delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve access to preventive and treatment services for underserved communities while aligning division operations with departmental priorities, community health needs, and public health best practices.
• Provide executive oversight of health centers and clinical service lines, ensuring efficient operations, exceptional patient care, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in quality, safety, and patient experience.
• Lead strategies to improve healthcare revenue generation, optimize billing and reimbursement processes, strengthen financial sustainability, monitor payer performance, and maximize available funding while preserving access to essential public health services.
• Establish organizational performance expectations and monitor operational, financial, and clinical outcomes using data‑driven decision making, quality improvement methodologies, accreditation standards, and performance management practices.
• Build and lead a high‑performing workforce through coaching, succession planning, professional development, performance management, and organizational change initiatives that foster accountability, innovation, collaboration, and service excellence.
• Represent the department with executive leadership, healthcare organizations, governmental agencies, elected officials, academic institutions, community organizations, regulatory agencies, funding partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare partnerships and improve community health outcomes.
• Facilitate a “no wrong door” access to services so customers can receive help, information, or referral regardless of which office or program they contact first.
• Direct operations and strategic planning for safety‑net health centers, chronic disease prevention programs, oral health services, See to Succeed initiative, healthcare billing operations, and other assigned programs; develop and implement strategies that improve healthcare access, patient outcomes, clinic efficiency, and organizational performance.
• Lead operational transformation initiatives that improve patient experience, provider productivity, workflow efficiency, and service delivery.
• Oversee division budgets, grants, contracts, reimbursement revenue, and other funding sources to ensure fiscal stewardship and long‑term sustainability.
• Monitor clinical, operational, financial, and quality performance indicators to support executive decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, accreditation, regulatory, and grant requirements.
• Build collaborative partnerships with hospitals, federally qualified health centers, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, academic institutions, and community organizations.
• Direct and evaluate bureau managers and division leadership through hiring, coaching, performance management, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Lead organizational initiatives related to healthcare innovation, quality improvement, population health, and health equity.
• Serve in leadership roles during public health emergencies and Incident Command System activations, which may require extended work hours, emergency assignments, and non‑traditional schedules.
• Oversee additional programs and functions as assigned based on departmental priorities and evolving community needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.

Experience: Seven years of administrative experience, including at least three years in a managerial capacity.

License: None required.

Preferences

• Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Administration (MHA), Public Administration (MPA), Nursing, Social Work (MSW), Nutrition, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
• Experience leading safety‑net healthcare systems, community health centers, or public health clinical operations.
• Experience overseeing multiple ambulatory care or public health service lines.
• Experience improving healthcare access, patient experience, and operational performance.
• Experience managing healthcare revenue cycle operations, billing, reimbursement, or payer relations.
• Experience developing and managing complex budgets, grants, and multiple funding sources.
• Experience using healthcare data, performance metrics, and quality improvement methodologies to drive decision‑making.
• Experience implementing healthcare transformation, population health, or value‑based care initiatives.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHRs), clinical workflows, and healthcare reporting.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams and developing organizational talent.
• Experience with healthcare accreditation, regulatory compliance, and clinical quality standards.
• Experience building partnerships with healthcare organizations, community partners, and governmental agencies.
• Experience leading organizational change and strategic initiatives.
• Preference given to eligible veteran applicants who meet the qualifications.

Working Conditions

The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc., with no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

General Information

• Selection/Skills Tests: Department may administer a skills assessment test.
• Safety Impact: Not a safety‑impact position.
• Salary: Pay grade 32; salary determined by candidate qualifications and comparison with other employees in this classification.
• Application Procedures: Only online applications accepted. Submit at www.houstontx.gov. For status, log in at agency.governmentjobs.com/houston or call (832) 393‑0453. Technical support at 855‑524‑5627. All new hires and rehires must pass a pre‑employment drug test, physical examination, and verification of information provided.