Chief Data Officer

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Chief Data Officer 
Job Title: Deputy Director I 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Strategic Integration's Office 
Posting Number: 17965 
Closing Date: 06/26/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Range: $12,427.83 - $21,018.66 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-33 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0 
97E0,SEI15 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Chief Data Officer is responsible for advancing and exercising clear authority over an enterprise‑wide data governance, management, and strategy framework that enables cross‑divisional integration, informed decision‑making, policy analysis, and performance management. Reporting to the Director of the Office of Strategic Integration, the Chief Data Officer serves as the agency’s principal authority on data governance and data-driven strategy, with a mandate to set and enforce data stewardship standards and oversight across the data lifecycle. While the agency programs participate in developing and implementing new standards and processes, the Chief Data Officer is empowered with a clearly defined role and the necessary authority to direct, monitor, and enforce compliance, effectively executing the agency’s data mission.

The Chief Data Officer works in close partnership with agency executives and leadership to ensure data is well-governed, reliable, aligned, secure, and usable across systems—supporting executive priorities, policy development, operational improvement, and accountability.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Enterprise Data Strategy & Governance

• Develop and lead an enterprise data strategy aligned with the system’s priorities and strategic goals.
• Promote and embed data governance, standards, and decision‑making structures across divisions.
• Define clear ownership and accountability for data assets, quality, and stewardship.
• Promote consistent definitions, metrics, and reporting across programs and systems.
• Provide governance oversight for interagency and cross-program data sharing to ensure consistency, security and compliance with state requirements.

Cross‑System Integration

• Promote integration of data across divisions, programs, and systems to support enterprise analysis and cross‑cutting initiatives.
• Partner with agency leadership to identify high‑value data that support policy, operational, and strategic decisions.
• Identify gaps and barriers to effective data sharing and recommend solutions. Recommend solutions, such as improving data management rules, strengthening oversight and stewardship, or enhancing processes across the data lifecycle.

Data Quality and Stewardship

• Promote enterprise data quality principles, standards, and expectations to ensure data is accurate, reliable, consistent, and fit for use.
• Promote data quality monitoring and remediation processes that support analytics, reporting, and operational data flows.
• Prioritize data quality improvement initiatives based on risk, mission impact, and analytic need.
• Leverage maturity assessments or equivalent mechanisms to inform strategic decision-making, identify gaps and monitor progress in data stewardship and quality capabilities.
• Promote enterprise metadata management practices, including business definitions, data lineage, data classification, and data catalogs, to foster shared understanding, transparency, and accountability for data assets.
• Promote enterprise data stewardship operating model, including defined roles, responsibilities, onboarding, and support for business and technical data stewards.

Executive Decision Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on data‑related risks, opportunities, and tradeoffs.
• Align data efforts with cross‑divisional data related initiatives.

Policy, Performance, and Research Support

• Support policy research and evaluation through high‑quality data.
• Collaborate with policy, legal, and program leaders to assess data implications of legislative and regulatory changes.
• Ensure data supports access, transparency, and accountability goals.

Partnership with Enterprise Functions

• Work closely with the CIO to align data strategy with technology architecture, security, and governance of emerging capabilities and system modernization efforts.
• Coordinate with Legal, Privacy, and Security leadership to ensure compliant and responsible data use.
• Partner with Finance and Audit leadership to support forecasting, oversight, and accountability.
• Collaborate with Communications and Public Affairs on responsible data transparency and reporting.

Organizational Leadership & Capacity Building

• Build data literacy and analytic capability across divisions and leadership levels.
• Promote a culture of data‑informed decision‑making and continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Deep understanding of enterprise data governance, analytics, and performance management in large, complex organizations.
• Ability to bridge policy, operations, and technology through data.
• Strong executive communication and data storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across divisions without direct line authority.
• High level of judgment, discretion, and organizational awareness.
• Experience navigating legal, privacy, and security considerations in data use.
• Demonstrated experience establishing or operating enterprise data governance, stewardship, and standards programs.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in data analytics, public administration, public policy, information systems, statistics, or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years significant progressive leadership experience in data, analytics, performance or strategic roles.
• Experience supporting executive‑level decision‑making in a complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, information systems, data science, health policy, or related fields.
• Experience in health and human services, Medicaid, behavioral health, regulatory, or large‑scale public systems.
• Experience establishing enterprise data governance or leading cross‑system analytics initiatives.

Additional Information:

This position is based in Austin, TX, with primary work at the HHS North Austin Complex. It may be eligible for a hybrid schedule, with weekly on-site and telework days. Telework is at agency management’s discretion and can change based on business needs. When telework is allowed, it requires reliable personal internet and a workspace that supports the protection of confidential information.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.