Chief Strategy Officer

Health & Human Services; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid parental leave

Vacation and sick leave

Community service leave

NCFlex benefits

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks an experienced Senior Planner (NS) within the Division of Health Benefits to lead actuarial operations and strategic planning for Medicaid programs. The role combines leadership of financial analyses, rate development, and policy evaluation to support managed care initiatives and waiver programs.

This senior position involves coordinating with federal partners, state leaders, and stakeholders to drive data-driven decisions,

Qualifications

• Experience in actuarial leadership and analytics for large healthcare programs.
• Strong ability to communicate complex actuarial concepts to executives.
• Advanced skills in risk assessment, budgeting, and financial forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Direct actuarial operations for Medicaid managed care, including rate development and forecasting.
• Lead development of actuarial methodologies, models, and analytic frameworks.
• Oversee analyses of healthcare costs, utilization, and reimbursement trends; advise on policy and design decisions.
• Direct work related to Medicaid Transformation, waiver implementation, and budget neutrality.

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division HEALTH BENEFITS Job Classification Title Health & Human Services Senior Planner (NS) Position Number 65023625 Grade 31002876

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.

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

• 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

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Candidates 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.

Salary and Compensation

Salary Grade Range: $1.00 - $208,775.00 Recruitment Range: $150,000.00 - $185,000.00

Benefits

• Employees can participate in health insurance options.
• Employees can participate in standard and supplemental retirement plans.
• Employees can participate in the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Employees also receive paid vacation.
• Employees also receive sick leave.
• Employees also receive community service leave.
• Paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Eligibility and Background Check

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

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/.

The 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.

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.

Location and Work Arrangement

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option.

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.

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.

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