ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV), ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE, PERFORMANCE & STRATEGY

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Houston seeks an experienced Assistant Director for Organizational Governance, Performance & Strategy to lead enterprise governance, compliance, and strategic initiatives. The role reports to executive leadership and drives accountability, risk management, and operational excellence across the division.

The position directs governance structures, workforce analytics, and accreditation efforts while ensuring alignment with public health goals and community outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.
• Seven years of administrative experience, at least three in a managerial capacity.
• Master's degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Preference for MPH/MHA/MPA or related fields.
• Experience in government, healthcare, or public sector advisable.

Responsibilities

• Develop governance structures and policies for accountability and transparency.
• Oversee Legal Services and Compliance functions.
• Lead department-wide performance management with KPIs and dashboards.
• Ensure no-wrong-door access to services for customers.
• Oversee public health accreditation activities and standards.
• Lead workforce planning and leadership development initiatives.
• Advise executive leadership on risks and strategic initiatives.
• Serve during public health emergencies and IC activations.
• Coach bureau managers and support succession planning.
• Oversee additional programs aligned with community needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Governance

Leadership

Performance management

Public health

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Public Administration

Job description

Position Overview

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: CURRENT HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY

DIVISION: ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE, PERFORMANCE & STRATEGY

REPORTING LOCATION: 8000 N. STADIUM

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

ABOUT HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT – ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE, PERFORMANCE & STRATEGY DIVISION

The Organizational Governance, Performance & Strategy Division strengthens the Houston Health Department’s ability to achieve its mission through effective governance, accountability, compliance, performance management, and strategic planning. The division provides the frameworks, systems, and resources necessary to support operational excellence, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement across the department.

The division oversees organizational governance, legal services, compliance, performance management, quality improvement, public health accreditation, workforce strategy, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Through data-driven decision-making and strategic alignment, the division supports a culture of accountability, innovation, transparency, and service excellence.

Description Of Duties/ Essential Functions

The Houston Health Department is seeking an experienced and strategic executive to serve as Assistant Director of the Organizational Governance, Performance & Strategy Division. This executive-level position provides leadership and oversight for enterprise governance, compliance, performance management, accreditation, workforce strategy, and organizational improvement initiatives.

The Assistant Director serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership by strengthening organizational accountability, managing enterprise risks, improving operational performance, and ensuring alignment between departmental priorities, public health goals, and community outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement governance structures, policies, and frameworks that promote accountability, transparency, effective decision-making, and organizational sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight of Legal Services and Compliance functions, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and organizational requirements.
• Lead department-wide performance management systems, including key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, reporting structures, quality improvement initiatives, and organizational effectiveness strategies.
• 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.
• Provide executive oversight for public health accreditation activities and ensure continued alignment with national standards and best practices.
• Lead workforce planning, organizational development, workforce analytics, hiring strategies, employee accountability systems, and leadership development initiatives.
• Advise executive leadership on organizational risks, opportunities, strategic initiatives, and transformation efforts while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Serve in leadership roles during public health emergencies and Incident Command System activations, including extended or non-traditional work hours as needed.
• Direct and evaluate bureau managers and leadership staff through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
• 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 overseeing compliance, legal, risk management, audits, or regulatory functions within a government, healthcare, or public sector organization.
• Experience developing performance measurement systems, dashboards, KPIs, and accountability frameworks.
• Experience with public health accreditation, quality improvement, or organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Experience leading workforce strategy, organizational development, succession planning, or employee engagement initiatives.
• Experience using data analytics and performance reporting tools to support executive decision-making.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and organizational change initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, operational improvements, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Experience managing complex programs within a large governmental, healthcare, or public service organization.

**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.**

General Information

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.