Chief Strategy Officer

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division HEALTH BENEFITS Job Classification Title Health & Human Services Senior Planner (NS) Position Number 65023625 Grade 31002876 About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. Description of Work The Chief Strategy Officer serves as a senior executive leader within the Division of Health Benefits (DHB), providing strategic leadership, policy direction, and organizational planning for North Carolina Medicaid programs. This position works collaboratively with division leadership to advance the agency's mission, goals, and objectives by leading long-term strategy development, cross-functional alignment, and enterprise-wide initiatives that improve health outcomes, advance equity, and promote responsible stewardship of public resources. The Chief Strategy Officer functions as a principal advisor to the Medicaid Director and executive leadership team, guiding strategic responses to federal and state policy changes, demographic shifts, emerging healthcare trends, and evolving beneficiary needs. This position represents DHB in high-level engagements with federal and state partners, healthcare stakeholders, and community organizations while ensuring strategic priorities align with state and federal requirements and organizational goals. Key Duties Include: - Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Division's multi-year strategic plan to advance organizational priorities, improve health outcomes, and support the delivery of Medicaid services statewide. - Direct enterprise-wide strategic planning efforts by coordinating priorities across divisions and ensuring alignment with agency objectives, state initiatives, and federal requirements. - Monitor and assess external factors, including federal policy changes, healthcare market trends, provider landscape developments, emerging technologies, and beneficiary needs to inform organizational strategy and decision-making. - Advise executive leadership on strategic opportunities, risks, and priorities affecting North Carolina Medicaid programs and recommend approaches that support long-term program sustainability and effectiveness. - Represent the Division in strategic discussions and negotiations with federal and state agencies, legislative stakeholders, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, advocacy groups, and community partners. - Lead and manage relationships with federal partners, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to support waiver negotiations, federal approvals, and initiatives that advance program goals. - Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to advance Medicaid priorities, improve system coordination, and support positive outcomes for beneficiaries. - Provide executive leadership and strategic guidance on policy development, waiver applications, state plan amendments, legislative proposals, and other initiatives affecting Medicaid operations and services. - Assess the operational, fiscal, and programmatic impacts of federal and state policy changes and develop recommendations to support effective implementation and organizational readiness. - Coordinate cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders in the planning and implementation of major strategic and policy initiatives, ensuring alignment with program goals, regulatory requirements, and organizational priorities. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Grade Range: $1.00 - $208,775.00 Recruitment Range: $150,000.00 - $185,000.00 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: • Led collaboration with internal and external stakeholders across multiple organizational levels to advance strategic priorities, strengthen operations, and achieve organizational objectives. • Developed strong partnerships and trusted relationships that promoted open communication, cooperation, and knowledge sharing among diverse stakeholders and leadership groups. • Managed complex and changing environments by exercising sound judgment, evaluating competing priorities, and implementing effective solutions to organizational challenges. • Directed end-to-end strategic planning and implementation efforts, including the assessment of risks, benefits, opportunities, emerging trends, technologies, and policy impacts to support long-range organizational goals. • Influenced executive leaders and key decision-makers by analyzing complex issues, evaluating alternatives, building credibility, and communicating strategic recommendations that support informed decision-making and organizational success. REPOST - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply In Order To Be Considered For This Vacancy The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option About the NC Division of Health Benefits: The Division of Health Benefits (DHB) within NCDHHS is committed to advancing innovative solutions that improve health, promote well-being and foster independence for all North Carolinians. DHB manages and oversees North Carolina Medicaid and other programs that provide access to services and supports for parents, children, seniors, people with intellectual / developmental disabilities, and behavioral health, substance use and traumatic brain injury disorders. With a budget over $27 billion in state and federal funds per fiscal year, DHB ensures that more than 108,000 enrolled providers are reimbursed for delivering covered services to 3.1 million beneficiaries. All positions in the Division of Health Benefits are exempt from the State Human Resources Act (G.S. 126) except for the provisions of Articles 6 and 7 per HB 372 Section 20. Compensation and Benefits:  The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.   Visit the website for State Benefits.  Supplemental Contact Information:  The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.    DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.    In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.                  Application Process