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.