CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER (Program Manager Senior IV)

Main Purpose of Job

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) serves as a member of the executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for statewide program operations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The CPO ensures that DDA’s Community Pathways waiver program is person-centered, compliant with federal and State requirements, fiscally sustainable, and aligned with the Administration's strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for statewide program operations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Ensures that DDA’s Community Pathways waiver program is person-centered, compliant with federal and State requirements, fiscally sustainable, and aligned with the Administration's strategic priorities.
• Directs the development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Community Pathways waiver program and Title VII State-funded services.
• Led organizational initiatives that enhance program performance, streamline business processes, and strengthen accountability by working in partnership with DDA’s Chief Operating Officer.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements high-priority, cross-cutting policies that advance Maryland’s mission and strategic goals.
• Fosters a close partnership with other administrations within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), other state agencies, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, non-profits, providers, and advocates to ensure program effectiveness and responsiveness to community needs.
• Advise the Deputy Secretary on complex policy, programmatic, and operational matters; ensures the effective administration of DDA’s Community Pathways waiver program and services; and leads cross-functional initiatives that improve organizational performance, accountability, quality, and customer service.
• Represents and acts on behalf of the Deputy Secretary, as assigned, to ensure continuity of leadership and decision-making while advancing the mission of the Maryland Department of Health to improve the health, safety, independence, and quality of life of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have at least ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience and demonstrated success leading large, complex human services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Medicaid, or health care organizations, including extensive knowledge of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Medicaid waiver programs, developmental disabilities policy, federal and State regulations, strategic planning, fiscal and grants management, organizational development, and performance improvement.

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

• The ideal candidate for the Chief Programs Officer role is a seasoned senior executive with a proven record of leading organizational change, managing multidisciplinary teams, and driving operational excellence.
• In addition to the technical requirements, the candidate should possess exceptional leadership, communication, and consensus-building skills, with a deep commitment to advancing equity, person-centered services, and innovation.
• Experience working with executive leadership, the Governor's Office, the Maryland General Assembly, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provider organizations, and advocacy groups is highly desirable.
• This individual will be an innovative, data-driven leader capable of building productive partnerships and integrating policy, operations, and fiscal stewardship into a cohesive statewide strategy to improve the quality of life for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Selection Process

This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. A resume must be uploaded to the application. Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).

Benefits

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS