Director II

Department of Public Safety•Houston, TX

35d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director II performs advanced senior-level managerial work providing leadership to the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Provider Payments Area (PPA), with focus on budget and expenditure analysis, tracking, and reconciliation, and expenditure authorizations involving approximately 75 unique programs valued at over $1.5 billion per state fiscal year. Work involves establishing goals, long-term and short-term planning, developing/implementing standard operating procedures, and allocating and evaluating resources for the area's functions. The Director II plans, assigns, and supervises the work of PPA staff. The Director II role requires strong change management and strategic planning skills. The position provides insightful financial analysis and reporting to senior management that informs and supports decision making and continuous program and process improvement. This position requires expert-level understanding of mental health and substance use service delivery, contract terms and conditions, payment methodologies, funding sources, and associated state and federal regulations involving budgets, expenditures, and payment authorizations. Position requires advanced working knowledge of multiple state information systems. Work is completed under very minimal direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules, and requirements, and specific knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to the mental health and substance use contract payments
Knowledge of business processes and process improvement
Knowledge of State government organization, administration, management, and operating practices
Knowledge of the mental health and substance use service delivery system
Knowledge of computer software applications
Skill in effective project management
Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution
Skill in analyzing/interpreting large and complex financial data sets, and writing complex documents/reports, policies, and procedures
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities
Skill in providing leadership in a team environment
Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and effectively to individuals at all levels both internal and external to the organization
Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups and entities
Ability to evaluate the performance of staff
Ability to implement and balance change and lead cross-functional/inter-disciplinary teams to design and deploy new or improved work processes
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts/data/systems/financial information
Ability to establish goals and objectives while working independently and delivering results in an environment of complex organizational interactions and competing demands on staff resources
Ability to make independent and sound technical decisions and analyze new situations when encountered
Ability to learn and use sophisticated software/applications as necessary to successfully perform duties and assignments
Ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, as well as, agency rules, and policies in the development of guidelines, policies, and procedures
Ability to organize workload and set priorities
Experience facilitating staff meetings and conducting one-on-one sessions with team members to support staff development.
Experience completing annual performance evaluations, personnel disciplinary actions, approving leave, and approving time sheets.
Experience developing policies and procedures and evaluating program effectiveness.
Experience preparing reports to inform and make management decisions.
Experience working with state and federal standards related to contract budgets and expenditures.
Experience providing technical assistance and participating in meetings with internal and external stakeholders and executive level staff.
Must possess a current valid Texas driver’s license for the appropriate type vehicle if operating a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of official duties.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred. However, every two (2) years of supervisory/management and leadership experience may substitute for the completion of one (1) year of college or university.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and strategic direction to area team members and manages daily operations.
Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluate staff performance.
Conducts weekly staff meetings and 1:1 meetings with team members on a regularly scheduled basis.
Leads ongoing activities supporting employee engagement, staff development, and promotes the grow of future leadership.
Responsible for hiring, planning and assigning work, completing annual performance evaluations, personnel disciplinary actions, and approving leave, and approving time sheets as required by HHSC policy.
Establishes area goals, policies and procedures, and allocates resources and evaluates program effectiveness.
Establishes performance data to evaluate team functions and team member performance.
Develops techniques and tools for improving area performance and efficiency, which includes accounting for legislative or agency operational changes.
Identifies needed changes within the area and implements strategies to improve area operations through engagement in ongoing process improvement and policy implementation activities.
Prepares and reviews reports and data to inform and make management decisions that impact area activities and monitors the area's deployment of agency and unit policies and procedures.
Represents the area at meetings, conferences, and committees, and engages in internal and external stakeholder relations.
Collaborates with other areas/units within the agency and provides technical assistance to subject matter experts, contract managers, and contractors to improve communication, relationships, and work performance, as needed.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.