CONTRACTUAL WORKER Data Strategy Advisor

State of Illinois • Chicago, IL

12d • $11,000 - $13,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Office of the Director, is seeking a Data Strategy Advisor to support agency leadership in developing and promoting a forward-looking data strategy that strengthens informed decision-making. The role works collaboratively with internal and external partners and provides critical support to the HHSi2 project, advancing its transformation and ensuring alignment with agency priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership, independent initiative, and the ability to achieve organizational goals in a dynamic environment. Strong data analysis and communication skills are essential, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.

The position develops an agency data strategy plan and maturity roadmap, provides data-driven insights for strategic initiatives and program improvements, and analyzes Medicaid data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. It also supports performance measurement, forecasting, policy and resource-allocation scenario analysis, and preparation of presentations and briefing materials. The advisor contributes to HHSi2 project work through technical assistance, counsel, facilitation, documentation, project management or direction, and participation in project communications and operations.

The role is based at the agency headquarters in Chicago. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reporting to headquarters is required as necessary, depending on operational need; hybrid work schedule availability is noted. The position is full-time and contractual, with an anticipated starting salary of $11,000 per month and a salary range of $11,000 to $13,000 per month.

Requirements

• Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.
• At least six years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
• Ability to complete a background check and self-disclose criminal history.
• Ability to utilize and maintain state-issued equipment such as a laptop.
• Ability to work normal working hours.

Nice To Haves

• At least four years of experience working with Medicaid programs and/or other social service programs in State Government.
• At least four years of extensive experience developing and implementing strategic planning processes.
• At least four years of extensive experience with strategic direction of a large organization.
• At least four years of extensive knowledge of the steps necessary to achieve Executive Staff cooperation and implementation of major policies to improve service delivery and policy change.
• At least four years of experience communicating with high-level personnel, preferably in government and strategic planning; ability to write well and present comfortably in public.
• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop an overall agency data strategy plan and roadmap for increasing data maturity, working with the Deputy Director of Strategic Planning, agency leadership, and closely aligned agencies.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Strategic Planning to provide data-driven insights that guide strategic initiatives and program improvements.
• Analyze Medicaid program data, including utilization, costs, outcomes, and population health metrics, to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Help define performance measures and track progress against strategic goals and regulatory requirements.
• Support forecasting, modeling, and scenario analysis to evaluate potential impacts of policy changes and resource-allocation decisions.
• Maintain an understanding of federal and state Medicaid regulations, funding, and reporting requirements to contextualize data findings.
• Prepare presentations and briefing materials for internal and external audiences, including government officials, partners, and the public.
• Contribute to project work efforts, such as data-sharing use cases, through technical assistance, experience-based counsel, facilitation, documentation, project management, or direction.
• Contribute historical perspective and support the strategic management and operation of the HHSi2 project through team meetings, outreach to potential project partners, and initiation or facilitation of internal project communications and operations.

Benefits

• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
• Pension plan.
• 12 weeks of paid maternity/paternity leave.
• Deferred compensation program and other pre-tax benefit programs, including medical and daycare.
• 12 paid sick days annually.
• 10 paid vacation days in the first year, with the opportunity to earn up to 25 paid vacation days annually.
• 3 paid personal days annually.
• 13–14 paid holidays annually, based on start date.
• Flexible hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior