Deputy State Medicaid Director

Date posted: Sep 21, 2026 | Location: Austin, TX (4601 W Guadalupe St)

Overview

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Deputy State Medicaid Director (DSMD). The DSMD is a key leadership position with broad responsibilities critical to delivering quality, cost‑effective services to Texans. Reporting to the State Medicaid Director, the DSMD provides leadership, management, and vision to ensure optimal policies, business processes, administrative and reporting procedures, and monitoring systems while maintaining financial strength and operational efficiency. The role strategically drives outcomes in the Medicaid and CHIP programs, works with managed‑care organizations and providers, and serves as the primary back‑up to the State Medicaid Director in stakeholder and legislative engagements.

Essential Job Functions

• Collaborates with the leadership team to develop and administer all aspects of the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
• Contributes to policy formation, strategic direction, high‑level priority setting, decision‑making, and overall leadership of the department.
• Ensures the highest level of member and provider experience and improved outcomes through program, quality, and operational initiatives.
• Fosters innovation through policy and process development.
• Provides day‑to‑day leadership by directing and aligning staff on division goals.
• Advises the State Medicaid Director on all areas of operation and keeps other leadership team members apprised of changes or issues that arise with providers, stakeholders, and agency contractors.
• Implements new initiatives, resolving problems that cross multiple departments and reducing downstream negative impacts to members, providers, and MCOs.
• Evaluates and strategically responds to developments and changes affecting operations in order to sustain or adjust plans.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Broad and deep knowledge of Medicaid and CHIP policy and operations and the interconnectivity of diverse and complex functions.
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations, laws, and legislative priorities and processes regarding the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
• Ability to envision and execute high‑level and complex administrative, operational, and policy changes that improve the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
• Ability to establish effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws and HHSC Medicaid/CHIP program requirements.
• Demonstrated skill in using good judgment to:
  • seek and use information, including data and financial information, to support decision‑making;
  • anticipate the consequences of decisions and actions;
  • communicate information;
  • interact constructively with others both within and outside the organization;
  • maintain confidentiality, as appropriate; and
  • choose actions that are beneficial to, and consistent with, the mission, goals, and culture of the organization.
• Ability to take initiative, think independently, and contribute constructively to long‑term planning, priority setting, and decision‑making.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, characterized by the ability to clearly articulate complex concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to use creativity and resourcefulness to:
  • conceptualize and implement new policies, programs, and procedures;
  • set priorities for self and others; and
  • achieve maximum functioning with available resources.
• Ability to apply systems thinking inclusive of critical analysis, forecasting, and measurement related to strategic objectives and business goals.
• Ability to promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values a commitment to quality through coaching and managerial oversight of staff performance and development.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Ability to effectively manage staff.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in a related field of business.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in publicly funded health programs with experience related to Medicaid and CHIP operations and policy, including directing complex programs or initiatives related to health and human services.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in senior leadership positions.

Pay

Salary range: $12,427.83 – $17,370.75 per month. Pay frequency: Monthly. Salary group: TEXAS‑B‑33. Position is classified as Exempt (full‑time).

Schedule

Shift: Day. Telework: Not eligible. Travel: Up to 10 % of time.

Benefits

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 additional perks detailed on the “Benefits of Working at HHS” webpage.