ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV), ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston is seeking an experienced Assistant Director for the Access to Healthcare Division to provide strategic direction and operational oversight of safety-net clinical services and chronic disease programs.

Responsibilities include leading financial performance, payer relations, and organizational change while advancing health equity and high-quality patient care across multiple service lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Public Administration or related field required.
• Seven years of administrative experience, at least three in a managerial capacity.
• Master's degree may substitute for two years of experience or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive direction for Access to Healthcare division, aligning services with departmental goals.
• Oversee health centers, clinical service lines, and revenue cycle operations.
• Lead budgeting, grants, contracts, and reimbursement strategies to ensure sustainability.
• Foster partnerships with hospitals, FQHCs, and community organizations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and grant requirements and drive quality improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Data-driven decision making

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Position Overview

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: CURRENT HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY

DIVISION: ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

REPORTING LOCATION: 8000 N. STADIUM

WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM

About Houston Health Department – Access To Healthcare Division

The Houston Health Department's Access to Healthcare Division is dedicated to improving health outcomes by expanding access to high-quality, affordable safety-net healthcare services for Houston's most vulnerable populations. Through a network of health centers and specialized public health programs, the division delivers safety-net clinical and preventive services designed to reduce transmission of infections, improve chronic disease outcomes, provide dental services and strengthen community wellness.

The division oversees safety-net clinical operations, including health centers, immunization services, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, family planning services, oral health, chronic disease prevention initiatives, the See to Succeed school-based vision program, healthcare billing and revenue cycle operations, and other programs that improve access to care. The division also collaborates with healthcare providers, community organizations, academic institutions, and governmental partners to advance equitable healthcare delivery across Houston.

Description Of Duties/ Essential Functions

The Houston Health Department is seeking an experienced, innovative, and strategic healthcare executive to serve as Assistant Director of the Access to Healthcare Division. This executive leadership position provides strategic direction and operational oversight for the department's safety-net clinical services, and chronic disease prevention programs.

The Assistant Director is responsible for ensuring high-quality, patient-centered healthcare services while advancing organizational priorities related to access, quality, operational excellence, financial sustainability, and health equity. This position provides executive leadership over multiple healthcare service lines and administrative functions while fostering collaboration across clinical, operational, and community partners.

The Assistant Director will lead efforts to strengthen financial performance, improve patient experience, and expand access to preventive and treatment services throughout the City of Houston.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve access to preventive and treatment services for underserved communities while aligning division operations with departmental priorities, community health needs, and public health best practices.
• Provide executive oversight of the department's health centers and clinical service lines, ensuring efficient operations, exceptional patient care, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in quality, safety, and patient experience.
• Lead strategies to improve healthcare revenue generation, optimize billing and reimbursement processes, strengthen financial sustainability, monitor payer performance, and maximize available funding while preserving access to essential public health services.
• Establish organizational performance expectations and monitor operational, financial, and clinical outcomes using data-driven decision making, quality improvement methodologies, accreditation standards, and performance management practices.
• Build and lead a high-performing workforce through coaching, succession planning, professional development, performance management, and organizational change initiatives that foster accountability, innovation, collaboration, and service excellence.
• Represent the department with executive leadership, healthcare organizations, governmental agencies, elected officials, academic institutions, community organizations, regulatory agencies, funding partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare partnerships and improve community health outcomes.
• Facilitate a no wrong door access to services or support where customers can get help, information or referral regardless of which office or program they contact first.
• Direct the operations and strategic planning for the department's safety-net health centers, chronic disease prevention programs, oral health services, See to Succeed initiative, healthcare billing operations, and other assigned programs.
• Develop and implement strategies that improve healthcare access, patient outcomes, clinic efficiency, and organizational performance.
• Lead operational transformation initiatives that improve patient experience, provider productivity, workflow efficiency, and service delivery.
• Oversee division budgets, grants, contracts, reimbursement revenue, and other funding sources to ensure fiscal stewardship and long‑term sustainability.
• Monitor clinical, operational, financial, and quality performance indicators to support executive decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, accreditation, regulatory, and grant requirements.
• Build collaborative partnerships with hospitals, federally qualified health centers, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, academic institutions, and community organizations.
• Direct and evaluate bureau managers and division leadership through hiring, coaching, performance management, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Lead organizational initiatives related to healthcare innovation, quality improvement, population health, and health equity.
• Serve in leadership roles during public health emergencies and Incident Command System activations, which may require extended work hours, emergency assignments, and non‑traditional schedules.
• Oversee additional programs and functions as assigned based on departmental priorities and evolving community needs, ensuring the division remains responsive and positioned to effectively serve the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.

Experience Requirements: Seven years of administrative experience are required, with at least three of those years in a managerial capacity.

A Master's degree may be substituted for two years of experience.

License Requirements: None

PREFERENCES

• Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Administration (MHA), Public Administration (MPA), Nursing, Social Work (MSW), Nutrition, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
• Experience leading safety-net healthcare systems, community health centers, or public health clinical operations.
• Experience overseeing multiple ambulatory care or public health service lines.
• Experience improving healthcare access, patient experience, and operational performance.
• Experience managing healthcare revenue cycle operations, billing, reimbursement, or payer relations.
• Experience developing and managing complex budgets, grants, and multiple funding sources.
• Experience using healthcare data, performance metrics, and quality improvement methodologies to drive decision‑making.
• Experience implementing healthcare transformation, population health, or value‑based care initiatives.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHRs), clinical workflows, and healthcare reporting.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams and developing organizational talent.
• Experience with healthcare accreditation, regulatory compliance, and clinical quality standards.
• Experience building partnerships with healthcare organizations, community partners, and governmental agencies.
• Experience leading organizational change and strategic initiatives.
• Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1‑6.**

Selection / Skills Tests Required

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

No

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 32

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.