CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ((Program Manager Senior IV))

State of Maryland; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Maryland seeks a Chief Operating Officer for the Developmental Disabilities Administration in Baltimore to provide strategic leadership and oversight of statewide program operations for individuals with IDD. The COO will guide the Community Pathways waiver program and related services, ensuring compliance, fiscal stewardship, and mission-aligned outcomes.

The role requires collaboration with the Governor's Office, MDH, and community partners to drive organizational transformation,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field with 30 credit hours in accounting and related courses, including auditing.
• Five years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, expenditure management or business administration.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and implementing complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for statewide program operations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Direct development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Community Pathways waiver program and Title VII State-funded services.
• Lead organizational initiatives to improve performance, streamline processes, and strengthen accountability while coordinating with MDH and other agencies.
• Represent the Administration to policymakers, advocates, and partners to advance mission and strategic goals.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

30 credit hours in accounting & related courses

Job description

GRADE

26

LOCATION OF POSITION

MDH Developmental Disabilities Administration, Baltimore MD

Main Purpose of Job

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Secretary for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), this senior leadership position functions as the Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a member of the executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for statewide program operations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The COO ensures that DDA's Community Pathways waiver program is person-centered, compliant with federal and State requirements, fiscally sustainable, and aligned with the Administration's strategic priorities.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) directs the development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Community Pathways waiver program and Title VII State-funded services. The incumbent leads organizational initiatives that enhance program performance, streamline business processes, and strengthen accountability by working very closely with DDA's COO. It plans, coordinates, and implements high-priority, cross-cutting policies that advance Maryland's mission and strategic goals. The position is subject public-facing during the Legislative Session, and fosters a close partnership with other administrations within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), other state agencies, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, non-profits, providers, and advocates to ensure program effectiveness and responsiveness to community needs.

Under the direction of the Deputy Secretary for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), the Chief Operating Officer serves as a senior executive responsible for providing strategic leadership, program oversight, and organizational direction for the Administration. The position advises the Deputy Secretary on complex policy, programmatic, and operational matters; ensures the effective administration of DDA's Community Pathways waiver program and services; and leads cross-functional initiatives that improve organizational performance, accountability, quality, and customer service. The Chief Operating Officer represents and acts on behalf of the Deputy Secretary, as assigned, to ensure continuity of leadership and decision-making while advancing the mission of the Maryland Department of Health to improve the health, safety, independence, and quality of life of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited college or university or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credit hours in accounting and related courses, including 3 credit hours in auditing. Qualified candidates must also possess five years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, expenditure management or business administration.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the Chief Operating Officer role is a distinguished senior executive with a proven track record of driving large-scale organizational transformation, leading complex cross-functional teams, and championing operational excellence at a system-wide level. Beyond the technical requirements, the candidate must possess superior executive leadership, strategic communication, and consensus-building skills, with a steadfast commitment to advancing equity, person-centered services, and transformative innovation. Demonstrated experience engaging with top-level executive leadership, the Governor's Office, the Maryland General Assembly, CMS, provider networks, and advocacy coalitions is essential. This individual will be a visionary, data-driven strategist capable of architecting productive partnerships and synthesizing policy, operations, and fiscal stewardship into a cohesive statewide strategy to improve the quality of life for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

SELECTION PROCESS

This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

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