Chief Strategy Officer

Agency
Dept of Health and Human Services
Division
HEALTH BENEFITS
Job Classification Title
Health & Human Services Senior Planner (NS)
Position Number
65023625
Grade
31002876
About Us
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work
The Chief Strategy Officer position serves as the Chief Actuary for the Division of Health Benefits (DHB) and provides executive-level leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for actuarial services supporting North Carolina Medicaid programs. The position is responsible for directing rate development, financial forecasting, budgeting, risk analysis, policy evaluation, and actuarial modeling to support Medicaid managed care, Medicaid Transformation initiatives, and implementation of federal waiver programs.

Responsibilities include managing complex actuarial and financial analyses, advising executive leadership on payment strategies and program impacts, overseeing relationships with federal partners and stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. This position collaborates with senior leaders, policymakers, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, consultants, and government officials to support data-driven decision-making and the effective administration of healthcare services for North Carolina residents.

Key Duties Include:
- Direct actuarial operations supporting Medicaid managed care, including capitation rate development, pricing strategies, rate negotiations, claim reserving, forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis.

- Lead the development and implementation of actuarial methodologies, financial models, assumptions, and analytic frameworks used to support program planning, healthcare financing, and policy decision-making.

- Oversee the analysis of healthcare cost, utilization, and reimbursement trends and develop recommendations to support benefit design, reimbursement standards, and payment strategies.

- Direct financial and actuarial analyses related to Medicaid Transformation initiatives, Section 1115 waiver implementation, budget neutrality requirements, and Medicaid expansion populations.

- Establish actuarial standards, analytical processes, and quality control measures to ensure accuracy, consistency, regulatory compliance, and adoption of industry best practices.

- Identify, evaluate, and communicate financial risks associated with healthcare delivery, policy changes, legislative initiatives, market trends, and program operations and develop strategies to mitigate identified risks.

- Oversee predictive modeling, risk adjustment activities, financial forecasting, and enterprise-wide analytical initiatives used to support operational and strategic decision-making.

- Provide executive-level consultation and strategic recommendations to DHB leadership, the DHHS Secretary’s Office, the Governor’s Office, state policymakers, and other stakeholders regarding actuarial, financial, and healthcare policy matters.

- Manage relationships with federal partners, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and support negotiations related to waivers, financing arrangements, and program authorities necessary to achieve Medicaid program objectives.

- Direct the work of actuarial staff, consultants, contractors, and business partners while promoting collaboration, performance management, continuous improvement, and achievement of division goals and objectives.

- Collaborate with healthcare providers, managed care entities, advocacy organizations, legislators, and other stakeholders to evaluate program performance, develop policy solutions, and support effective healthcare delivery systems.

- Prepare and present actuarial findings, financial forecasts, rate recommendations, strategic analyses, and executive reports to support program oversight, financial stewardship, and organizational decision-making.

- Monitor healthcare industry trends, emerging actuarial practices, regulatory developments, and innovative analytical approaches to strengthen program performance and support long-term sustainability of North Carolina Medicaid programs.

- Support the division’s mission, strategic priorities, and statewide values through leadership, accountability, customer service, teamwork, and data-driven decision-making.

- Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Salary Grade Range: $1.00 - $208,775.00

Recruitment Range: $150,000.00 - $185,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

- Prior experience building collaborative partnerships with executive leadership, government agencies, healthcare organizations, contractors, consultants, and other internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives, improve business outcomes, and support organizational priorities.

- Advanced proficiency leading end-to-end strategic planning and implementation initiatives, including evaluating risks, benefits, opportunities, and operational impacts; monitoring industry trends, regulatory developments, and emerging practices; and developing strategies that support long-range organizational goals and program success.

- Documented experience analyzing complex business, financial, operational, and policy-related issues; reviewing and interpreting data; evaluating alternatives; exercising sound judgment; and implementing effective solutions in a complex and rapidly changing environment.

- Demonstrated success establishing credibility and trust with stakeholders, fostering open communication, cooperation, and knowledge sharing across multidisciplinary teams, and leading collaborative efforts that support organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement.

- Advanced skills in verbal and written communication skills, including presenting complex information to diverse audiences, influencing and persuading decision-makers, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and providing strategic recommendations to support informed business and policy decisions.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option

About the NC Division of Health Benefits:
The Division of Health Benefits (DHB) within NCDHHS is committed to advancing innovative solutions that improve health, promote well-being and foster independence for all North Carolinians. DHB manages and oversees North Carolina Medicaid and other programs that provide access to services and supports for parents, children, seniors, people with intellectual / developmental disabilities, and behavioral health, substance use and traumatic brain injury disorders. With a budget over $27 billion in state and federal funds per fiscal year, DHB ensures that more than 108,000 enrolled providers are reimbursed for delivering covered services to 3.1 million beneficiaries.

All positions in the Division of Health Benefits are exempt from the State Human Resources Act (G.S. 126) except for the provisions of Articles 6 and 7 per HB 372 Section 20.

Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit the website for  State Benefits .

Supplemental Contact Information:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ .

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303 , our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.    Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

- Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

- Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

- If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

- Applicants  may  be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust"  will be  subject to a criminal background check.

- Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

- Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

- For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members .

Degree/College Credit Verification
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

- Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

- Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

- Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION
If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at  talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Graduation from a four year college or university with a degree in business or public administration or in a field related to DHHS programs, and five years of managerial and/or administrative experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing, and directing in an area related to the above-mentioned programs; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
EEO Statement
T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:
Tresha Walker
Contact:
DHHS Workday Support Form