ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV), ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE, PERFORMANCE & STRATEGY

City of Houston, TX

$160K — $169K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required.
  • Seven years of administrative experience, with at least three years in a managerial role required.
  • Master's degree may substitute for two years of experience.
  • Experience with public health accreditation and quality improvement is preferred.
  • Strong leadership skills in workforce development and strategic planning are preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Develop governance structures and policies for organizational improvement.
  • Oversee Legal Services and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
  • Lead the implementation of performance management systems and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Facilitate service access for customers across departments.
  • Guide public health accreditation activities to meet national standards.
  • Advise on organizational risks and foster continuous improvement.
  • Direct and evaluate bureau managers to enhance team performance and development.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Retirement pension and 457 deferred compensation plan.
  • 10 days of vacation plus 13 holidays each year.
  • Flexible work arrangements and telework options.
  • Professional development opportunities and transportation/parking plans.
Full Job Description
Salary : $160,734.08 - $169,404.04 Annually
Location : Houston
Job Type: Executive Level
Job Number: 39523
Department: Houston Health Department
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: 9/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

POSITION OVERVIEW
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: CURRENT HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY

DIVISION: ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE, PERFORMANCE & STRATEGY
REPORTING LOCATION: 8000 N. STADIUM
WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Houston Health Department is seeking an experienced and strategic executive to serve as Assistant Director of the Organizational Governance, Performance & Strategy Division. This executive-level position provides leadership and oversight for enterprise governance, compliance, performance management, accreditation, workforce strategy, and organizational improvement initiatives.

The Assistant Director serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership by strengthening organizational accountability, managing enterprise risks, improving operational performance, and ensuring alignment between departmental priorities, public health goals, and community outcomes.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement governance structures, policies, and frameworks that promote accountability, transparency, effective decision-making, and organizational sustainability.
  • Provide executive oversight of Legal Services and Compliance functions, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and organizational requirements.
  • Lead department-wide performance management systems, including key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, reporting structures, quality improvement initiatives, and organizational effectiveness strategies.
  • Facilitate a "no wrong door" access to services or support where customers can get help, information or referral regardless of which office or program they contact first.
  • Provide executive oversight for public health accreditation activities and ensure continued alignment with national standards and best practices.
  • Lead workforce planning, organizational development, workforce analytics, hiring strategies, employee accountability systems, and leadership development initiatives.
  • Advise executive leadership on organizational risks, opportunities, strategic initiatives, and transformation efforts while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.
  • Serve in leadership roles during public health emergencies and Incident Command System activations, including extended or non-traditional work hours as needed.
  • Direct and evaluate bureau managers and leadership staff through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
  • Oversee additional programs and functions as assigned based on departmental priorities and evolving community needs, ensuring the division remains responsive and positioned to effectively serve the community.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Seven years of administrative experience are required, with at least three of those years in a managerial capacity.

A Master's degree may be substituted for two years of experience.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
None
PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following:
  • Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Administration (MHA), Public Administration (MPA), Nursing, Social Work (MSW), Nutrition, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
  • Experience overseeing compliance, legal, risk management, audits, or regulatory functions within a government, healthcare, or public sector organization.
  • Experience developing performance measurement systems, dashboards, KPIs, and accountability frameworks.
  • Experience with public health accreditation, quality improvement, or organizational effectiveness initiatives.
  • Experience leading workforce strategy, organizational development, succession planning, or employee engagement initiatives.
  • Experience using data analytics and performance reporting tools to support executive decision-making.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and organizational change initiatives.
  • Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, operational improvements, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
  • Experience managing complex programs within a large governmental, healthcare, or public service organization.
**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**
GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 32

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call (832-393-0453).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-0453). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Wellness
  • Supplemental Insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability
  • Retirement pension
  • 457 deferred compensation plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 10 days of vacation each year
  • 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
  • Compensable Sick Leave
  • Personal Leave
  • Flexible schedules
  • Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Transportation/parking plan
  • Section 125 pretax deductions
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html
01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Which best describes your highest level of education?
  • High School Diploma / GED
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • None of the Above

03

Which best describes your years of experience that relate to the duties of this position?
  • I have no experience that directly relates to the duties of this position.
  • Less than 5 years
  • 5 - 6 years
  • 7 - 8 years
  • 9 - 10 years
  • 11 or more years of related experience

04

Please describe your related experience. If none use N/A.
05

Which best describes your years of experience in a managerial capacity?
  • I have no managerial experience
  • I have less than 3 years of managerial experience
  • I have 3 or more years of managerial experience

06

Do you have previous Senior Leadership experience within the Houston Health Department?
  • Yes
  • No

07

Do you have experience overseeing organizational performance management, quality improvement, or strategic planning initiatives?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Do you have experience managing compliance activities, audits, corrective action plans, or regulatory requirements?
  • Yes
  • No

09

Do you have experience leading workforce development, organizational development, or employee performance improvement initiatives?
  • Yes
  • No

10

Do you have experience supporting accreditation processes, including PHAB, healthcare, or other organizational accreditation standards?
  • Yes
  • No

11

Do you have experience using data, performance metrics, or evaluation findings to improve organizational effectiveness?
  • Yes
  • No

12

This position may be activated as part of the Department's Incident Command System (ICS) response during public health emergencies or other critical events. Are you willing and able to work extended hours, non-traditional schedules, nights, weekends, or holidays when operational needs require?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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