Executive Service
Background Check:
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Who we are and what we do:
TennCare is Tennessee's Medicaid managed care program, serving over 1.4 million Tennesseans, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. With an annual budget exceeding $19.2 billion, TennCare operates under the oversight of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our mission is to provide high-quality, cost-effective care that improves the health and lives of our members. TennCare's mission is to improve the lives of Tennesseans by providing high-quality, cost-effective care. At TennCare, we are driven by purpose. Our team is committed to improving outcomes for Tennessee's most vulnerable populations through innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Employees at TennCare report a deep sense of impact and satisfaction in their work. We prioritize people and process equally to create a workplace that values meaningful service, professional development, and shared success
Job Overview:
TennCare compensation is equitable and will be based on education and experience for a qualified candidate in accordance with Department of Human Resources (DOHR) policy.
The Division of TennCare is dedicated to providing our employees with a hybrid work environment. All TennCare positions have a combination of work from home and work in the office, which varies by position, department, and business need. You may review the specific expectations with our hiring team.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as TennCare's senior technology executive and is responsible for the strategic direction, governance, modernization, security, and operational performance of technology solutions supporting approximately 1.4 million Tennesseans who receive TennCare benefits. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director, the CIO oversees a complex technology portfolio with annual expenditures exceeding $700 million in support of TennCare's $19 billion program. The CIO provides executive leadership for a multidisciplinary team of technology professionals, including enterprise architects, cybersecurity specialists, project and portfolio managers, business analysts, financial and budget resources, business relationship managers, and dedicated technology partners. The position is responsible for aligning technology investments with organizational priorities, advancing enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives, and ensuring the delivery of secure, scalable, and innovative solutions. The CIO also provides executive oversight of strategic vendor and consulting relationships, ensuring alignment with TennCare's mission, regulatory requirements, and long-term business objectives. As a member of TennCare's executive leadership team, the CIO serves as a trusted advisor and change leader, driving innovation and organizational transformation through technology.
Key Responsibilities:
Implement and support the TennCare enterprise delivery model, establish governance and strategic planning processes, and build high-performing teams that deliver business value, customer service excellence, and measurable technology outcomes.
Lead TennCare's enterprise digital transformation strategy and roadmap, fostering strategic partnerships and delivering innovative solutions that improve business outcomes, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic direction and governance for enterprise technology architecture, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital services while ensuring technology investments support organizational priorities.
Provide thought leadership and direction for TennCare's enterprise technology strategy, roadmap, and innovation agenda in collaboration with executive leadership, business partners, and stakeholders.
Partner with internal agency business leaders, state-wide Strategic Technology Solutions (STS), and external vendors to develop and maintain an enterprise technology strategy that aligns technology capabilities with organizational goals and stakeholder needs.
Develop and maintain strategic relationships with leadership across STS, state agencies, legislative stakeholders, and federal partners, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Translate complex technical concepts into clear business value propositions to influence decision-making, secure stakeholder alignment, and drive adoption of strategic initiatives.
Oversee technology budgets, investments, and spending with a focus on maximizing business value, operational efficiency, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Provide executive oversight for cybersecurity, technology risk management, regulatory compliance, business continuity, and disaster recovery strategies to ensure the security and resilience of TennCare's technology environment.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Technical Engineering, or Business Administration; equivalent professional experience may be substituted. Advanced degree preferred.
Eight (8) years of professional level experience in the information technology field, including at least eight (5) years managing complex teams, programs, or organizations.
Strong understanding of healthcare technology, technology operations, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and public-sector governance.
Extensive experience with vendor management, contract negotiations, and strategic partnerships.
Desirable Qualifications:
Demonstrated success leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives within complex organizations.
Experience developing and executing enterprise technology strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
Proven success managing large, complex budgets and technology portfolios.
Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and executive leadership skills.
Experience with Medicaid programs and operations.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
