Operations Director

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Community Engagement is driven by a mission to promote self-sufficiency by empowering our neighbors with access to essential public assistance programs and resources through strategic partnerships. Through key initiatives such as the Community Partner Program (CPP), Presumptive Eligibility (PE), the Nutrition Incentive Program (NIP), SNAP- Outreach (SNAP-O), SNAP-Education (SNAP-E) and Texas Works Paths to Success (TWPS),we strive to strengthen health outcomes, reduce poverty, and build meaningful partnerships that support thriving communities across Texas. Our efforts focus on creating meaningful partnerships, offering education, and delivering support services that enable Texans to lead healthier, more prosperous lives. The Director of Operations for Community Engagement (CE) is a key leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence across these programs. Reporting to the Community Engagement Director, this position ensures strategic alignment, effective service delivery, and sustainable impact. As the Director of Operations, you will provide day-to-day leadership and strategic direction to advance program goals. With autonomy to exercise initiative and sound judgment, you will refine policies, optimize workflows, and cultivate a high-performing team. Your role will be instrumental in shaping the operational success of CE initiatives, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations while maximizing community impact. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-driven leader with expertise in program management and community engagement. Your ability to navigate complex systems, build partnerships, and inspire teams will be critical in advancing CE’s mission. A background in public administration, social services, or health/human services is preferred.

Requirements

Knowledge Of: Local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to program areas.
Strategic planning and project management
The principles of leadership and how to effectively interact with various leadership styles
Process improvement or quality assurance system
The Texas legislative process
Skill In: Identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
Communication and public speaking
Working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
Managing various levels of employee
Ability To: Lead staff and motivate staff to obtain a standard of excellence in their work and to foster an environment of continuous improvement.
Interpret data and develop effective operating procedures.
Organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
Think creatively and support creative thinking in others.
Establish goals and objectives.
Lead in an environment of change.
Plan, assign, and evaluate the work of others.
Build effective work teams.
Establish effective working relationships with staff at all levels of an organization, agencies, providers, stakeholders, and elected officials.
Make timely and effective decisions and produce results through planning evaluation of policies and programs
Evaluate reports comprehensively and accurately
Ability to develop and implement effective customer service systems.
Perform effectively and produce results.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
A minimum of five (5) years of management or staff supervision experience within the Health and Human Services System in Texas is preferred.
Management experience will include supervision of diverse employees at multiple levels, different geographic locations, diverse projects, budgets, and collaboration and coordination with stakeholders and contractors.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience leading, participating in, and supporting continuous improvement activities within Access and Eligibility services is preferred.
Experience in developing presentations and complex reports and tracking/monitoring/analyzing performance data.
Experience in utilizing word processing, project management, data tracking/reporting, and presentation software.
Willingness to travel up to 35% of the time.
Willingness to work outside of regular hours (Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM), including nights and weekends.

Nice To Haves

A background in public administration, social services, or health/human services is preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership (30%): Provides overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the Community Engagement section. Directs the overall planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of programs and policies to promote effective program administration and service delivery. Works with the team to ensure implementation and attainment of program goals and objectives. Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan. Develops and refines program policies, procedures, and guidelines to maintain compliance while optimizing service delivery.
Staff Management & Development (20%): Manages and develops staff through review of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisal. Responsible for hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave. Ensure subordinate managers properly execute these same responsibilities within their teams by monitoring compliance, providing guidance, and reviewing personnel decisions. Plans develop, and approve schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and directs evaluation activities. Analyzes performance metrics to identify training needs and implements professional development programs. Maintains consistent application of performance standards across all teams through regular calibration sessions. Develops and oversees initiatives to improve employee engagement, retention, and job satisfaction.
Compliance, Policy & Operations Management (30%): Ensures operational excellence across all Community Engagement programs by leading compliance efforts, policy development, and fiscal stewardship. Serves as the authority for interpreting and implementing federal/state regulations, legislative changes, and agency requirements. Conducts regular reviews of audits and investigations and performs data to identify risks and implement corrective actions. Oversee budgeting, contract administration, and grant management to ensure proper resource allocation and financial accountability. Monitors expenditures and adjusts operational strategies to maximize program impact within regulatory and fiscal constraints. Reviews and approves management reports, productivity metrics, and financial studies to drive data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation (20%): Serves as the primary liaison between Community Engagement and key stakeholders, including government agencies, community partners, advocacy groups, and internal divisions. Builds and maintains strategic partnerships to enhance program reach, resource sharing, and collective impact. Represents CE programs in high-level meetings, legislative hearings, and public forums, effectively communicating program value, advocating for policy changes, and funding opportunities. Leads collaborative efforts with community organizations, local agencies, and cross-functional teams to identify partnership opportunities that strengthen service delivery. Responds to inquiries from legislators, agency leadership, and community partners regarding program outcomes, operational needs, and partnership benefits. Utilizes relationship-building and communication skills to align stakeholder interests with program goals, resolve conflicts, and foster long-term engagement. Implement stakeholder feedback mechanisms to continuously improve engagement strategies.