Director, DDA Analytics & Policy (Job #495333)

The Hilltop Institute; Arbutus (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Hilltop Institute seeks a Director of DDA Analytics & Policy to lead analytic and policy support for Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration. You will oversee data analysis, reporting, and analytics interpretation to inform operations and strategic planning.

You will collaborate with a DDA accountant, produce dashboards and briefing materials, and translate complex findings into actionable guidance for leadership and legislators.

Qualifications

• Requires MA/PhD in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field with 8+ years of experience.
• A BA in a related field with 10+ years of experience may substitute for the MA/PhD.

Responsibilities

• Interpreting state and federal policy changes and assessing implications.
• Leading analytic and policy work related to DDA programs, waivers, and service delivery models.
• Overseeing production of dashboards, reports, and briefing materials.
• Collaborating with a DDA-dedicated accountant to integrate financial and utilization perspectives.
• Providing analytic and policy decision support for DDA leadership and legislative requests.
• Leading development of materials for internal and external stakeholder meetings.
• Ensuring data quality, documentation, and methodological rigor across DDA analytics.
• Serving as Hilltop’s primary analytic and policy point of contact for DDA staff.

Skills

Policy analysis

Program evaluation

Applied analytics

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Education

MA or PhD in public policy or related field

BA substitution option for MA/PhD

Job description

Director, DDA Analytics & Policy (Job #495333)

Job Description

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Aging & Disability Studies, theDirector of DDA Analytics & Policy will lead Hilltop’s analytic and policy support for Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). This role oversees data analysis, policy research, reporting, and analytics interpretation that inform DDA program operations, waiver administration, fiscal monitoring, and strategic planning. The incumbent will work closely with a dedicated DDA accountant to integrate policy, program, and financial perspectives and serve as Hilltop’s primary analytic and policy partner for DDA leadership.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Interpreting state and federal policy changes and assessing operational and analytic implications
• Leading analytic and policy work related to DDA programs, waivers, and service delivery models
• Overseeing production of analytic deliverables including dashboards, reports, and briefing materials
• Working in close partnership with a DDA-dedicated accountant to integrate financial and utilization perspectives
• Providing analytic and policy decision support for DDA leadership, CMS communications, and legislative requests
• Leading planning and development of materials for internal and external stakeholder meetings and engagementsEnsuring data quality, documentation, and methodological rigor across DDA analytics
• Serving as Hilltop’s primary analytic and policy point of contact for DDA staff
• Performing other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Requires an MA or PhD in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 8 years of related experience. A BA in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 10 years of related experience may be substituted for the MA or PhD.

Must have experience working directly with Medicaid programs, waiver programs, or developmental disabilities services; significant professional experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, or applied analytics, preferably in public health, human services, Medicaid, or long-term services and supports; demonstrated experience translating complex analytic findings into clear, actionable guidance for non-technical stakeholders; experience managing analytic projects, including prioritizing work, overseeing deliverables, and ensuring methodological rigor; experience working collaboratively across disciplines (e.g., policy, analytics, finance, and operations).

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess an MA or PhD in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 10 years of related experience. A BA in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 12 years of related experience may be substituted for the MA or PhD.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following preferred professional and interpersonal competencies: experience supporting or advising state agencies, legislators, or federal partners using analytic and policy evidence; supervisory or team leadership experience, including mentoring analysts; experience working in a research institute, consulting environment, or policy organization serving government clients; well-honed problem-solving skills; ability to communicate orally and in writing to diverse audiences; ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and be flexible in a fast-paced environment; and excellent interpersonal skills.

Salary ranges from $140,000 – $158,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER