Behavioral Health Administration - Chief Strategy Officer

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Located within the Behavioral Health Administration work unit, according to House Bill (HB) 21-1097. HB21-1097 provides that a Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) was created to be a single-state entity. It was initially established under CDHS as of July 1, 2022, and will provide administrative and “back-of-the-house” support as long as the BHA remains under CDHS’ purview. The BHA is a permanent entity that will be responsible for leading and promoting the state’s behavioral health priorities and efforts across agencies, creating shared goals, improving collaboration, and driving accountability and transparency. The BHA will provide oversight and coordinate service standards across the hundreds of behavioral health programs that currently exist under multiple state agencies and the Judicial Branch. The BHA works to ensure the recommendations that resulted from the work of the Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF) and multiple ancillary projects evolving out of the work of the BHTF are honored and implemented, to ensure and meet our vision of having a comprehensive, equitable, effective continuum of behavioral health services that meets the needs of all Coloradans. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is responsible for policy development, service provision and coordination, program monitoring and evaluation, and administrative oversight of the public behavioral health system. BHA funds, supports, and monitors numerous mental health and substance abuse community programs and providers, reviews and designates the State’s 27-65 providers, and licenses substance use disorder service providers. BHA executes the State’s federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and the State Substance Abuse Authority to administer federal mental health and substance abuse block grant funds. The purpose of this position is to support the Commissioner in the administration and operations of the BHA. Key functions include: Strategic Leadership: Managing and coordinating the BHA’s implementation and operational strategy, including performance management, data-informed decision-making, and executing the BHA’s strategic plan Operational Support: Ensuring efficient processes for the Executive Leadership Team, setting priorities, and managing projects to meet the BHA’s goals Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Building and maintaining partnerships across state agencies, the Governor’s Office, and community stakeholders to create a cohesive behavioral health system and reduce silos Change Management: Fostering a strong organizational culture, managing risks, and ensuring accountability throughout the BHA The role requires an experienced leader capable of navigating complex organizational structures and fostering cross-agency collaboration. This position serves as Chief Strategy Officer to the Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) within the Colorado Department of Human Services. The position directly supports the Commissioner in the operations and administration of BHA. This position works alongside the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioners to ensure the BHA achieves integrated functions, efficient and effective processes, and cross-agency behavioral health leadership. This position reports directly to the Commissioner. This position is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. The successful candidate is an excellent relationship builder and works closely with all members of the leadership team. They also maintain positive working relationships with other agencies’ leadership as well as the Governor’s Office on matters of strategy and operational accountability. This position focuses on the strategic and practical strategies necessary to foster and maintain understanding among BHA staff members, State agency staff across partner state agencies, and external partners and stakeholders about the BHA’s role and functions. On behalf of the BHA Commissioner and the Deputies, this position develops effective processes to meet the vision and expectations of the Governor, Commissioner, and BHA Advisory Council. This position is responsible for supporting day-to-day strategy providing support and leadership with the Commissioner to set leadership meetings, priorities, strong communications, and inter-BHA collaboration as well as inter-state agency collaboration; specifically, with CDHS, HCPF, and CDPHE. This position identifies gaps, creates solutions, and directly manages risks, as well as, maintains a strategy balanced with response to urgent changes—creating options and pros and cons for the Commissioner to use in decision making. The position supports the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners with change management and the development of a strong culture with clear expectations for accountability across the BHA and with CDHS leadership. This position also supports the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and BHA leadership with crafting and executing the BHA’s strategic plan and is responsible for tracking the related workstream priorities to achieve strategic goals. The position works closely with the Governor’s Office on the BHA initiatives and acts as a liaison with other State agencies to ensure cross-agency projects are successful.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field of study related to the duties of the position.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to the duties of this position.
Comprehensive Resume and Cover Letter must be submitted.
Must submit a Comprehensive Resume and Cover Letter in order to be considered for this position.
Must be a resident of Colorado at the time of application, and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border. Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
Must disclose any disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination from prior State employment and explain why it should not disqualify you from the current position. Must provide employee number from prior State employment.

Nice To Haves

A Master's of Public Administration, Business Administration or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the bachelor's degree and one or two years of general experience respectively.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Bachelor’s or Master’s in Management or Public Administration
Master of Public Policy (MMP) or Political Science
Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Public Health (MPA)
A doctorate in a field of study related to the duties of this position.
Experience working in a fast paced government work environment.
Excellent critical thinking skills
Experience taking the initiative and leading a large group of employees.
Experience working in an executive level position in a State department.
Exceptional communication skills.
Experience facilitating community meetings and meetings with internal/external staff.
Experience working with and effectively communicating with high level executives and legislators.
Experience working with staff and stakeholders in behavioral health and other state agencies.
Experience working with cabinet members.
Exceptional writing skills.
Experience giving presentations to the public and staff members.
Relevant years of state service
Demonstrated expertise in executing high-level strategic plans and operationalizing performance management systems.
Proven experience establishing formal cross-agency partnerships and breaking down organizational silos.
A history of navigating complex organizational structures, managing resistance during agency transitions, and fostering a strong, accountable organizational culture through conflict resolution and change management strategies.
The capability to identify systemic friction points, manage project risks, and provide executive leadership with actionable options (including pros and cons) for high-impact decision-making.
Experience in resource allocation, project management, and identifying revenue sustainability opportunities beyond direct appropriations—such as maximizing commercial insurance alignment and federal funding models.

Responsibilities

Coordinates the Behavioral Health Administration’s strategy for implementation, operations, and administration.
Manages and executes large-scale organizational strategies, including the operationalization of performance management systems (e.g., using data dashboards for WIGs and SMART deliverables).
Identifies systemic friction points using cross-agency performance data and initiates corrective strategic actions.
Leads key strategies to advance behavioral health efforts to include rural and workforce strategies.
Creates and executes detailed strategic plans that align with high-level administrative goals and gubernatorial priorities.
Guides and coordinates collaborative relationship development, manages risk, and sets processes for inter-agency/division collaboration to achieve the Administration vision of a coherent and streamlined approach to behavioral health leadership.
Establishes formal cross-agency partnerships to break down silos and ensure horizontal integration of strategies.
Institutionalizes "Community First" frameworks, co-designing initiatives with Tribal partners, providers, and individuals with lived experience.
Manages change, conflict resolution, and shifts organizational culture.
Navigates the complexities of new agency models and manages the human elements of adaptation to change.
Identifies gaps, manages risks, and troubleshoots underperforming initiatives or leadership gaps.
Coordinates projects across BHA to ensure goals, timelines, and action items are successfully executed.
Manages multiple competing priorities while maintaining a strategic balance between long-term goals and urgent, shifting demands.
Works directly with executive leadership (e.g., Commissioner/Deputy Commissioners) to streamline processes, manage calendars, prioritize initiatives, and prepare options for high-impact decision-making.
Evaluates and manages new issues and circumstances with high-level problem-solving, identifying and engaging appropriate resources for timely and informed decision-making and actions.
Utilizes data dashboards to track Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) and SMART deliverables to drive accountability.
Establishes formal cross-agency partnerships and breaks down organizational silos.
Institutionalizes a "Community-First" framework, co-designing initiatives with Tribal partners, providers, and individuals with lived experience to ensure policy alignment.
Manages resistance during agency transitions and fosters a strong, accountable organizational culture through conflict resolution and change management strategies.
Provides executive leadership with actionable options (including pros and cons) for high-impact decision-making.
Balances long-term strategic goals with urgent, shifting demands.
Manages resource allocation, project management, and identifies revenue sustainability opportunities beyond direct appropriations—such as maximizing commercial insurance alignment and federal funding models.

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
BenefitHub state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.