CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

Maryland Department of Health; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Health seeks a Chief Program Officer to lead statewide program operations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will oversee the Community Pathways waiver program and Title VII services, ensuring compliance and fiscal stewardship.

You will collaborate with the Deputy Secretary and other state agencies to align initiatives with strategic priorities, while focusing on performance improvement and customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with at least ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience leading large, complex human services, IDD, Medicaid, or health care organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for statewide program operations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Direct development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Community Pathways waiver program.
• Advise on policy, programmatic, and operational matters to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Policy development

Program oversight

Budget & grants

Stakeholder engagement

HCBS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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 Program Officer. The Chief Program Officer (CPO) 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 CPO 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 CPO 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 in partnership with DDA’s Chief Operating Officer. The CPO plans, coordinates, and implements high-priority, cross-cutting policies that advance Maryland’s mission and strategic goals. The position is public-facing 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 CPO 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 CPO 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 from an accredited college or university and have at least ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience and demonstrated success leading large, complex human services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Medicaid, or health care organizations, including extensive knowledge of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Medicaid waiver programs, developmental disabilities policy, federal and State regulations, strategic planning, fiscal and grants management, organizational development, and performance improvement.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the Chief Programs Officer role is a seasoned senior executive with a proven record of leading organizational change, managing multidisciplinary teams, and driving operational excellence. In addition to the technical requirements, the candidate should possess exceptional leadership, communication, and consensus-building skills, with a deep commitment to advancing equity, person-centered services, and innovation. Experience working with executive leadership, the Governor's Office, the Maryland General Assembly, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provider organizations, and advocacy groups is highly desirable. This individual will be an innovative, data-driven leader capable of building productive partnerships and integrating policy, operations, and fiscal stewardship into a cohesive statewide strategy to improve the quality of life for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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.

EOE.