Chief Health Care Officer
Requisition ID: req1398
Employment Type: Unclassified Regular Full-Time (URF)
Division: Health Admin
Compensation: Compensation will be based on a combination of relevant qualifications and background.
Job Closing: June 28, 2026 at 5:00 pm CST
Location: TRS Headquarters Building 2
1900 Aldrich Street
Austin, TX, 78723
United States
WHO WE ARE:
With the Health Division, you’ll be joining a passionate team of self-motivated change agents united by our mission: driving to design the delivery of high-quality healthcare for nearly three-quarters of a million active and retired Texas public educators.
The healthcare industry is complex and we’re a team of problem-solvers who are up for the challenge. With a focus on innovation and collaboration to catalyze the market, we spend nearly $6 billion annually on healthcare to make a difference in our members’ lives. With a career at TRS, you’ll be empowered through a culture of continuous learning, front-line decision-making, coaching and mentorship to shape the future of our work, while transforming healthcare delivery for 1 in 41 Texans.
The Chief Health Care Officer provides executive leadership for the Health Division, setting strategy and ensuring alignment with TRS mission, legislative requirements, and long-term sustainability of TRS Health programs. This role oversees integrated operational, financial, and clinical functions; drives program performance and vendor accountability; and ensures strong governance, compliance, and continuous improvement. As a member of the Executive Council, the Chief Health Care Officer contributes to enterprise strategy and decision-making. The position partners closely with executive leadership, the Board, and state and district stakeholders to deliver data-informed insights and advance TRS health initiatives.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Strategic and Organizational Leadership
- Provides executive leadership and direction for the Health Division, ensuring alignment with TRS mission, agency priorities, and long- term sustainability of TRS Health programs (TRS-Care and TRS- ActiveCare).
- Leads the development and execution of integrated division strategy, aligning operational, financial, and clinical priorities to drive program effectiveness, affordability, and member outcomes.
- Anticipates and responds to legislative, regulatory, and market trends; proactively positions the division to adapt to policy, funding, and program changes.
- Establishes division-wide goals, performance metrics, and service standards; monitors outcomes and drives continuous improvement.
- Participates as a key member of the Executive Council, contributing to enterprise-wide strategy, decision-making, and organizational alignment.
- Promotes innovation through technology, data-driven decision- making, and process improvement to enhance service delivery and organizational performance.
Operational Execution
- Provides executive oversight of Health Division operations, including health plan administration, member engagement, and shared services coordination.
- Oversees development and execution of major procurements and vendor strategy, including selection, contracting, and performance management of health care, pharmacy, and consulting partners.
- Oversees financial and operational performance, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and monitoring program utilization to ensure sustainability and value.
- Oversees clinical strategy, utilization management, and cost optimization initiatives; ensures alignment across clinical, financial, and operational priorities.
- Monitors program utilization, financial performance, and emerging cost drivers; ensures insights inform strategic and operational decisions.
- Ensures effective integration of operational, financial, and clinical functions to support coordinated execution of TRS Health programs.
- Ensures strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, auditing processes, and risk management frameworks are in place and functioning effectively.
Stakeholder Engagement and Governance
- Partners with the Executive Director and Deputy Director in Board engagement, including preparation for and participation in Board and committee meetings.
- Serves as a primary Health liaison to the TRS Board, providing clear, accurate, and timely information to support governance, oversight, and decision-making.
- Oversees development of Board materials and presentations, ensuring integration of operational, financial, and clinical perspectives.
- Represents the agency in interactions with the Texas Legislature, including providing subject matter expertise, preparing briefing materials, and delivering testimony in legislative hearings.
- Ensures accurate, responsive, and strategic communication with legislative staff, state leadership, and oversight entities regarding program performance, funding needs, and policy impacts.
- Ensures vendor and partner accountability through effective governance structures, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
- Builds and maintains effective relationships with external stakeholders, including public education employers, regulators, vendors, consultants, advocacy groups, and industry partners.
- Communicates program performance, key initiatives, risks, and emerging issues to executive leadership, the Board, and external stakeholders.
Talent Management
- Promotes and models TRS values across the division and in executive leadership activities.
- Establishes clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards aligned with organizational goals.
- Drives a culture of collaboration, service excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Leads talent strategy, including workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Promotes an engaged and customer service-oriented work environment.
- Provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development to strengthen leadership capability across the division.
Performs related work as assigned.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
Required Education
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business, public administration or related field; or
- High school diploma or equivalent and additional full-time managerial experience in health plan administration or benefits administration may substitute for the required education on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
Required Experience
- Ten (10) years of full-time, progressively responsible experience managing staff operations in health care programs, benefit administration, insurance, pension administration, governmental services, customer service or another related industry.
- Five (5) years of full-time management in an executive capacity (experience may be concurrent.)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience testifying in front of boards, commissions, and legislative committees.
- Experience leading large, complex health care or benefits programs, preferably in a public sector or highly regulated environment.
- Experience working with or supporting governing bodies, such as Boards or legislative entities, including preparation of materials, presentations, or testimony.
- Experience in health care financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, cost containment strategies, or actuarial analysis.
- Experience overseeing large-scale vendor contracts and partnerships, including procurement, performance management, and accountability for outcomes.
- Experience evaluating and benchmarking benefits programs against market trends, best practices, and emerging health care delivery models.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives that integrate operational, financial, and/or clinical strategies.
- Advanced degree in public administration, business administration, public health, or related field.
Knowledge of:
- Advanced principles and practices related to health care administration, including operational, financial, and regulatory components.
- Organizational strategy development and execution, including aligning functional priorities with enterprise-wide goals.
- Legislative, regulatory, and public policy processes impacting state agencies and health-related programs.
- Governance frameworks, risk management practices, and fiduciary responsibilities in a public sector environment.
- Health care financing, cost drivers, connecting healthcare utilization with financial impact, and program sustainability strategies (including vendor and actuarial considerations).
- Large-scale health insurance economics, including supply-demand dynamics, trends, emerging issues, and leading practices in health care delivery, benefits design, and public sector administration.
Skills in:
- Leading large, complex organizations or functions, including setting direction, aligning resources, and driving results through senior leadership teams.
- Strategic planning and execution, including translating broad organizational goals into actionable priorities and measurable outcomes.
- Financial oversight and resource management, including budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring cost-effective program delivery.
- Building and sustaining effective relationships with executive leadership, boards, legislators, regulators, public education employers, and external stakeholders.
- Communicating complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including preparing and delivering executive-level presentations, Board materials, and legislative testimony.
- Leading cross-functional collaboration and influencing decision-making in an enterprise environment.
- Analyzing complex issues, evaluating risks, and developing data-informed, forward-looking solutions.
- Overseeing procurement, vendor management, and contract performance to ensure accountability and value.
- Driving organizational change, innovation, and continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
Ability to:
- Provide strategic leadership in a highly visible, politically sensitive, and regulated environment.
- Exercise sound judgment and make decisions with significant organizational, financial, and public impact.
- Represent the agency with credibility and professionalism in interactions with the Board, Legislature, and external stakeholders.
- Navigate ambiguity and competing priorities while maintaining focus on long-term organizational outcomes.
- Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams, including establishing accountability and fostering a positive organizational culture.
- Influence and collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries without direct authority.
- Balance strategic priorities with operational demands and stakeholder expectations.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Codes:
Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty ( https://www.trs.texas.gov/files/trs-military-crosswalk.xlsx ) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Talent Acquisition at
[email protected] with questions or for additional information.
To view all job vacancies, visit www.trs.texas.gov/careers or www.trs.csod.com/careersite.
For more information, visit www.trs.texas.gov.
