Deputy Director of Pharmacy Technology and Informatics

Exec Office Of Health and Human Services; Quincy (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MassHealth seeks a Deputy Director of Pharmacy Technology and Informatics to lead operations for the POPS system, oversee data systems, and manage vendor relationships. The role emphasizes cross‑functional leadership, process improvement, and ensuring high‑quality pharmacy services.

The candidate should bring strong technical expertise, analysis, and executive‑level problem‑solving abilities. The position reports to the Director and will develop staff, set operational standards, and coordinate

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical/operational teams in a mission‑critical environment.
• Ability to analyze operational data and drive data‑driven decisions.
• Experience with healthcare claims, Medicaid systems, or high‑volume processing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee pharmacy technology operations, including claims adjudication and rebate processing.
• Provide hands‑on technical and operational support for data analysis, testing, and releases.
• Direct software development, testing, release management, and documentation.
• Manage vendor performance, SLAs, contracts, and compliance.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team to ensure consistent, quality delivery.
• Coordinate cross‑functional stakeholders to resolve issues and align with program priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

SAS

SQL

Job description

MassHealth is seeking a highly skilled, collaborative, and results-oriented professional to serve as the Deputy Director of Pharmacy Technology and Informatics. This position provides operational and technical leadership for the MassHealth Pharmacy Online Processing System (POPS), supporting data systems, pharmacy business processes, vendor relationships, and staff responsible for critical pharmacy operations.

Reporting to the Director of Pharmacy Technology and Informatics, the Deputy Director will oversee the accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness of pharmacy claims adjudication and manufacturer rebate processing. The position plays a key role in system operations, technical troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, system enhancements, and resolving complex operational challenges to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality pharmacy services.

The Deputy Director will also lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, strengthen collaboration across functional areas, and promote consistent operational practices, staff development, and shared accountability. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, analytical and problem-solving skills, and demonstrated leadership capabilities, with the ability to manage competing priorities, resolve complex issues, and deliver well-supported recommendations to executive leadership.

In addition to personally contributing to system operations and delivery, the Deputy Director leads and develops a multidisciplinary team of resources. The position is responsible for breaking down organizational silos, establishing shared ownership, cross-training staff, improving operational discipline, and ensuring that work is completed accurately and collaboratively.

The Deputy Director serves as the primary quality and escalation point before matters are presented to the Director. The position independently resolves operational issues when appropriate and ensures that escalated matters, recommendations, and deliverables are complete, validated, risk-assessed, and ready for executive decision.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Support and develop pharmacy technology and informatics staff, including supervision, work planning, cross-training, performance management, and team development.
• Oversee POPS operations, maintenance, claims adjudication, rebate processing, production support, incident response, and system performance.
• Provide hands‑on technical and operational support, including issue investigation, data analysis, testing, release validation, and change implementation.
• Direct software development, testing, release management, project delivery, documentation, and operational readiness.
• Participate in and oversee after‑hours and weekend activities as needed to support production incidents, system releases, maintenance, testing, and other critical operational needs.
• Manage vendor performance, SLAs, contracts, procurements, compliance, and resolution of operational or technical issues.
• Implement and maintain operational standards, processes, and quality controls to ensure consistent delivery and decision‑ready escalation to the Director.
• Lead pharmacy technology and informatics strategy, roadmap planning, and alignment with MassHealth Pharmacy Program priorities.
• Coordinate with business, technical, vendor, and program stakeholders to resolve issues and support successful delivery.
• Support budget, resource, and funding priorities to ensure pharmacy technology initiatives and operations are fiscally responsible.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience providing hands‑on operational support for a mission‑critical transaction‑processing application.
• Experience investigating complex production issues using application functionality, transaction data, system reports, logs, and database queries.
• The ability to independently analyze and validate operational data (SAS or SQL Preferred).
• Experience with healthcare claims, pharmacy claims adjudication, Medicaid systems, financial transactions, or another high‑volume regulated processing environment.
• Experience performing or directing system testing, regression testing, production validation, and release‑readiness reviews.
• Ability to review technical work critically and identify unsupported conclusions, incomplete testing, data‑quality problems, and operational risks.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team while remaining directly involved in complex operational and technical work.
• Demonstrated success breaking down functional silos through cross‑training, shared procedures, common priorities, and clear accountability.
• Experience holding technology vendors accountable for incident resolution, system performance, deliverable quality, and contractual obligations.
• Solid executive judgment, including the ability to resolve issues independently and elevate complete, decision‑ready recommendations.

About MassHealth:

MassHealth is the Commonwealth's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program, providing comprehensive healthcare coverage and services toapproximately two million Massachusetts residents. Through partnerships with providers, health plans, community organizations, and government agencies, MassHealth works to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, strengthen care coordination, and ensure access to high-quality, person-centered care. As one of the largest Medicaid programs in the country, MassHealth plays a critical role in advancing healthcare innovation, promoting health equity, and supporting the well‑being of individuals, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.

Learn more: MassHealth

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Aff…? The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.