Head of Product - Colorado Benefits Eligibility and Enrollment Systems (CoBEES)

Head of Product - Colorado Benefits Eligibility and Enrollment Systems (CoBEES)

Salary

$157,000.00 - $185,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IHA 70035 10/9/2026

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

Community Partnerships

Opening Date

10/09/2026

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

Department of Human Services 1575 Sherman St. Denver, CO 80203

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

melissa.baca@state.co.us isaac.phelps@state.co.us

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

This position is open to residents and non-residents of Colorado. If appointed to a position,

applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado before their start date.

Please Note: This posting will be open until filled!!!

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.

About Us

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

Description of Job

CoBEES what is it?

The Colorado Benefits Eligibility and Enrollment Systems (CoBEES) is a cross-agency portfolio of information technology systems, subsystems, applications, interfaces, training, and communications managed and maintained by the State of Colorado to deliver access to public assistance and medical coverage programs for Coloradans. The CoBEES portfolio includes the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS), Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK), PEAK Pro, Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), MyColorado Benefits, and the Joint Agency Interoperability (JAI) program. CoBEES supports multiple state departments-operating through a collaborative governance and product operating model between the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)-to administer critical state benefits such as Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), SNAP, WIC, and TANF. The principal users of these systems include county benefit eligibility technicians, state program administrators, and program participants across Colorado.

What will you be doing?

The Head of Product (HOP) serves as the executive product and portfolio leader for the CoBEES portfolio, establishing and executing the technology and product vision for the systems that enable county workers to administer public benefits to Coloradans. Leading a joint CDHS-HCPF-CDEC-OIT product management organization, the HOP oversees day-to-day product ownership of systems including CBMS, PEAK, and Joint Agency Interoperability (JAI). This position works in close partnership with CDHS's Business, Innovation, Technology, Security Division (BITS), HCPF's Health Information Office (HIO), the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT), and contracted vendor partners to ensure CoBEES technologies support end users while advancing product management maturity and best practices across the portfolio. This position provides direct supervisory oversight of the CBMS, PEAK, and JAI product teams and serves as a collaborative executive partner with senior leaders across both departments, including HCPF's Medicaid Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Director of the Health Information Office, as well as CDHS's Office Director for Economic Security and Office Director of Infrastructure, to ensure coordinated governance and strategic direction of CoBEES. The HOP serves as the day-to-day executive accountable for the CoBEES portfolio. Housed within CDHS, the position reports directly to the CDHS Deputy Executive Director of Community Partnerships (who serves as the appointing authority) and a dotted line reporting relationship with the Health Information Office (HIO) Deputy Director at HCPF. The HOP maintains joint accountability to the Executive Directors of both CDHS and HCPF. Strategic governance for the portfolio is provided in collaboration with executive leadership and cross-departmental governance bodies, including the Executive Steering Committee (ESC).

Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads the development, implementation, and ongoing management of the CoBEES vision, product strategy, technology roadmap, and investment priorities across near-, mid-, and long-term initiatives.

• Provides executive leadership, direction, and direct supervisory oversight to the CoBEES product management organization, including the CBMS, PEAK, and JAI product teams.

• Partners directly with CDHS BITS and HCPF HIO to align CoBEES product strategies and roadmaps with department technology strategies, enterprise architecture, and IT governance.

• Oversees vendor partners, contracts, and service delivery alongside CDHS BITS and HCPF Medicaid Operations, evaluating vendor capability assessments, tracking performance, and ensuring investments align with strategic portfolio goals.

• Facilitates cross-agency governance among CDHS, HCPF, Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), OIT, county partners, and external stakeholders to align priorities and resolve competing operational demands.

• Directs concurrent modernization and optimization workstreams across CoBEES, identifying dependencies, managing technical debt, and pursuing shared services and common platforms.

• Defines enterprise performance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and user experience analytics to monitor system performance, inform investment decisions, and fulfill state and federal requirements.

• Oversees CoBEES resource allocation, budget planning, procurement activities, and financial accountability across partner agencies.

Serves as the primary executive bridge to OIT through BITS and HIO, holding OIT accountable for service levels, disaster recovery, incident response, and infrastructure resiliency.

• Standardizes product management operating models, user research, stakeholder engagement, change management, and adoption planning to ensure smooth operational transitions for county workers and benefit recipients.

• Serves as the executive point of contact for legislative, media, and public inquiries related to the CoBEES portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, HR considers only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process. Experience is calculated on a full-time equivalency basis, therefore, it is important to accurately notate the hours you averaged per experience section entry. Volunteer work or related type of experience may be used to meet the qualifications but must be clearly documented. It is paramount that in the experience portion of the application, the applicant describes the extent to which they possess the education, experience, competencies and background as they relate to the duties outlined in the job announcement.

Minimum qualifications:

• At least ten years of professional and leadership experience in a technology-related role, ideally product management, software engineering, user research, or other technical roles. Alternatively, candidates with extensive executive-level operational and leadership experience directing large-scale, complex enterprise or public-sector systems will also be considered.

~OR~

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in a technology-related discipline; or related field;
• AND at least five years of professional and leadership experience in a technology-related role, ideally product management, software engineering, user research, or other technical roles.

Substitutions:

• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of experience as a Product Manager in complex environments; extensive experience with service delivery and customer satisfaction; relevant experience in an IT applications/solutions delivery role.
• At least 5 years of experience in a leadership role managing technology teams or multiple simultaneous projects.
• Experience in working in cross-functional teams and working with parallel product teams in developing and delivering software.
• Use of measurement tools or frameworks to track product performance.
• Experience in delivering iterative application improvements, prototypes, and pilots in an agile way.
• Experience working across in-house engineering, user research, and 3rd party platform and contractor teams to deliver a human services related product.

Conditions of Employment:

The successful candidate in this position must be willing and available to submit to the following conditions:

• Must be willing to submit to and able to successfully pass a criminal background check.
• This position will have to travel to conduct job duties.
• Out-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
• Disclose that information on the application.
• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
• Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

• Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process:

• A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
• You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process - Structured Application Review:

• After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties:

• Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
• If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions :

• Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact melissa.baca@state.co.us

About Us & Benefits:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

• We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.
• This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

EEO Statement: The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

• We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application: Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

• If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

• Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Please explain how your professional experience addresses the preferred qualifications of having a strong background in leadership and Information Technology (IT) planning, organization, and development. Please provide a specific example of how you've led a team through the implementation of an IT project, specifically human services related if applicable.

02

Please explain how your skills match those in the preferred qualifications to set and prioritize workload; strong communication and presentation skills; and the ability to be self-motivated and self-directed, while possessing the ability to work in a complex team environment. Please provide a specific example of how you've demonstrated these skills in practice.

03

Describe a specific situation where you led a major technology or product initiative in a complex, highly matrixed environment involving competing priorities across multiple executive stakeholders, independent agencies, or external vendor partners. What tools did you utilize to create alignment and what was the outcome of the initiative?

04

How have you managed major third-party contracted vendor partners and legacy system modernization while concurrently maintaining daily operational continuity for mission-critical applications?

05

Describe a time in which youve led a cross-functional team through a complex public-sector delivery or modernization lifecycle. How did you establish trust and psychological safety, implement clear accountability metrics, and actively maintain your own leadership effectiveness? Please share the strategies you used and the resulting impact on both team morale and delivery outcomes.

06

The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

• This information is available to me and I have read this information
• I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

07

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application?

• Yes
• No

08

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997…). Your application may be considered incomplete if you do not provide this information. An incomplete application may not move forward in the Selection process. If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience).

09

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify your application from the current position.

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/