Chief Product Owner for Medicaid Data (Director II)

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

7d•$7,015 - $10,833•Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) division seeks a highly qualified candidate for the position of Director II, Chief Product Owner (CPO) for Medicaid Data. Reporting to the MCS Director of Medicaid Technology Modernization within the MCS Operations department, this role serves as the single point of accountability for Medicaid and CHIP data as a strategic enterprise asset. The CPO for Medicaid Data is responsible for establishing and leading MCS data strategy, governance, and product ownership framework that supports Medicaid modernization and long-term transformation. This role ensures Medicaid and CHIP data is trusted, secured, governed, and fit for purpose across its full lifecycle and aligns with organizational priorities, regulatory requirements, and long-term transformation goals. The CPO partners closely with executive leadership, IT, and business stakeholders to ensure data solutions and architectural decisions align with business priorities. Acting as the primary business authority for MCS data, the CPO influences and guides data architecture, platform decisions, and modernization roadmaps while maintaining clear ownership and accountability. This position leads the transition to a governed, product-based, and scalable data ecosystem, driving the implementation of data governance that support policy, operations, analytics, and reporting. The Director II is expected to work under limited supervision, exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment, and play a critical role in shaping the future-state data capabilities of Texas Medicaid to safely and effectively serve millions of Texans with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

A 4-year degree is required, and preference will be given to applicants with a degree in fields related to business administration, information systems, or data management
At least five years’ experience with enterprise data architecture and modernization initiatives.
Enterprise data governance frameworks such as the Texas Data Management Framework (TDMF) and operating models, including data ownership, stewardship, data quality management, master/reference data management, and metadata management.
Enterprise data architecture and data management principles, including data modeling, relational and analytical database design, data integration patterns, and platform modernization approaches.
Deep understanding of healthcare or public sector data environments, including regulatory constraints, reporting requirements, eligibility, claims, encounters, provider, and member data complexities.
Data lifecycle management practices, including data creation, usage, retention, archival, and disposition in compliance with state, federal, and privacy/security regulations.
Security, privacy, and regulatory frameworks applicable to Medicaid data, including HIPAA and state specific requirements
Enterprise data architecture and implementation patterns, including relational databases (e.g., Oracle, SQL), data integration, operational and analytical data stores, and multi-tier data storage environments (e.g., operational, reporting, analytical, archival)
Secure-by-design data architecture principles, including data classification, access controls, encryption, and data segregation across development, test, and production environments.
Experience implementing and operationalizing enterprise-wide governance or transformation initiatives across multiple systems, programs, and stakeholders.
Strong ability to define and lead data product strategies, translating business, policy, and regulatory needs into actionable roadmaps
Skill in partnering with technical stakeholders and architectural teams to influence and guide enterprise data architecture decisions while maintaining clear ownership and accountability for data.
Ability to evaluate and guide complex data architecture decisions by bridging hands on technical understanding with business, program and regulatory requirements.
Effective decision-making in highly complex, regulated, and ambiguous environments
Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels, setting long-term vision while driving near-term execution.
Ability to lead organizational change and transition teams to a governed, product-based data operating model.
Ability to communicate complex data and architectural concepts clearly to non-technical audiences, including executive leadership.
Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands across a large, complex portfolio of data initiatives across program and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Certifications relevant to this position are preferred but not required. Applicable certifications may include but are not limited to: data governance, data management, product management, Agile Certification, such as a Certified Scaled Agilist, Certified Data Management Professional, or Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.

Responsibilities

Defines and leads the enterprise data product vision and roadmap aligned with Medicaid modernization goals in collaboration with Medicaid and other program leaders.
Serves as the primary product owner for data, prioritizing initiatives based on business value, risk, and regulatory requirements.
Translates business needs into data product strategies, requirements, and outcomes.
Establishes and maintains data product backlogs, roadmaps, and performance metrics.
Designs and implements a comprehensive data governance framework, including data ownership and stewardship models, data quality standards and controls, and data lifecycle management (creation, usage, retention, and disposition).
Ensures compliance with state, federal, and privacy/security regulations.
Establishes processes to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and accountability across the organization.
Provides strategic oversight of enterprise data architecture to ensure alignment with modernization efforts.
Serve as the primary MCS partner to Chief Technology Office and the Office of Data, Analytics, and Performance for data architecture decisions ensuring alignment between business-driven data needs, validate data models and structures, platform and tool selection, and integration approaches.
Ensures data solutions are scalable, secure, and fit for purpose.
Drives the transition to a product-based data operating model.
Establishes and promotes data governance culture and best practices across the organization.
Identifies gaps and implement processes to move from reactive to proactive data management.
Establishes enterprise data governance operating models that function across multiple systems, programs, and stakeholders.
Leads resolution of conflicting data sources and definitions by enforcing data ownership, authoritative sources, and standard metrics to prevent recurrence.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of MCS operations and initiatives.