Chief Health Care Officer

The Chief Health Care Officer provides executive leadership for the Health Division, setting strategy and ensuring alignment with TRS mission, legislative requirements, and long-term sustainability of TRS Health programs. This role oversees integrated operational, financial, and clinical functions; drives program performance and vendor accountability; and ensures strong governance, compliance, and continuous improvement. As a member of the Executive Council, the Chief Health Care Officer contributes to enterprise strategy and decision-making. The position partners closely with executive leadership, the Board, and state and district stakeholders to deliver data-informed insights and advance TRS health initiatives.


WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Provides executive leadership and direction for the Health Division, ensuring alignment with TRS mission, agency priorities, and long- term sustainability of TRS Health programs (TRS-Care and TRS- ActiveCare).
  
• Leads the development and execution of integrated division strategy, aligning operational, financial, and clinical priorities to drive program effectiveness, affordability, and member outcomes.
  
• Anticipates and responds to legislative, regulatory, and market trends; proactively positions the division to adapt to policy, funding, and program changes.
  
• Establishes division-wide goals, performance metrics, and service standards; monitors outcomes and drives continuous improvement.
  
• Participates as a key member of the Executive Council, contributing to enterprise-wide strategy, decision-making, and organizational alignment.
  
• Promotes innovation through technology, data-driven decision- making, and process improvement to enhance service delivery and organizational performance.
  

Operational Execution

• Provides executive oversight of Health Division operations, including health plan administration, member engagement, and shared services coordination.
  
• Oversees development and execution of major procurements and vendor strategy, including selection, contracting, and performance management of health care, pharmacy, and consulting partners.
  
• Oversees financial and operational performance, including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and monitoring program utilization to ensure sustainability and value.
  
• Oversees clinical strategy, utilization management, and cost optimization initiatives; ensures alignment across clinical, financial, and operational priorities.
  
• Monitors program utilization, financial performance, and emerging cost drivers; ensures insights inform strategic and operational decisions.
  
• Ensures effective integration of operational, financial, and clinical functions to support coordinated execution of TRS Health programs.
  
• Ensures strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, auditing processes, and risk management frameworks are in place and functioning effectively.
  

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

• Partners with the Executive Director and Deputy Director in Board engagement, including preparation for and participation in Board and committee meetings.
  
• Serves as a primary Health liaison to the TRS Board, providing clear, accurate, and timely information to support governance, oversight, and decision-making.
  
• Oversees development of Board materials and presentations, ensuring integration of operational, financial, and clinical perspectives.
  
• Represents the agency in interactions with the Texas Legislature, including providing subject matter expertise, preparing briefing materials, and delivering testimony in legislative hearings.
  
• Ensures accurate, responsive, and strategic communication with legislative staff, state leadership, and oversight entities regarding program performance, funding needs, and policy impacts.
  
• Ensures vendor and partner accountability through effective governance structures, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
  
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with external stakeholders, including public education employers, regulators, vendors, consultants, advocacy groups, and industry partners.
  
• Communicates program performance, key initiatives, risks, and emerging issues to executive leadership, the Board, and external stakeholders.
  

Talent Management

• Promotes and models TRS values across the division and in executive leadership activities.
  
• Establishes clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards aligned with organizational goals.
  
• Drives a culture of collaboration, service excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  
• Leads talent strategy, including workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development.
  
• Promotes an engaged and customer service-oriented work environment.
  
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development to strengthen leadership capability across the division.
  
• Performs related work as assigned.
  

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business, public administration or related field; or
  
• High school diploma or equivalent and additional full-time managerial experience in health plan administration or benefits administration may substitute for the required education on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  

Required Experience

• Ten (10) years of full-time, progressively responsible experience managing staff operations in health care programs, benefit administration, insurance, pension administration, governmental services, customer service or another related industry.
  
• Five (5) years of full-time management in an executive capacity (experience may be concurrent.)