Executive Director of the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Salary: $230,992.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: GOVELECT_EDHCPF_ESW11.04.26
Department: Office of the Governor
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 200 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
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: Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.
Department Contact Information: [redacted] Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. 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 before the closing date.

Department Information

HCPF improves health care equity, access, and outcomes for Coloradans while saving them money, administering Colorado Medicaid and CHP+ for 1.3 million low-income residents and people with disabilities.

Description of Job
Department: Office of the Governor; Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Position Title: Executive Director

Summary of Functions: The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF). The Executive Director is appointed by the Governor, sits on the Governor's Cabinet, and is accountable for running HCPF, directing its safety net programs (Medicaid and CHP+), overseeing the ten offices reporting to the Executive Director, coordinating with external partners (hospital systems, patient advocacy organizations, county sites, etc.) and advancing the Governor's priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the strategic direction and policy decisions to achieve the department's mission
• Oversee the department's operations, all systems, compliance, total cost of care, care access, rate setting, budgeting, forecasting, and information technology
• Direct the department's efforts to improve the health of Medicaid and CHP+ customers and increase access to care across the state while containing costs
• Manage all aspects of the department's budget.
• Act as the CEO of Medicaid in Colorado, administering the largest health plan in the state (Medicaid), while overseeing the Children's Health Insurance Program
• Act as the senior officer over all provider payment models, delivery systems, coordinated care, health outcomes, care access, and all aspects of health plan management
• Serve as the final executive approval for all state contracts associated with running HCPF's safety net programs and operations
• Drive a workplace culture that maximizes work productivity, quality outcomes, employee retention, and performance, while making HCPF a great place to work
• Establish and maintain strong management protocols and dashboards that ensure goal achievement, project completion, and risk mitigation. Be accountable for department performance relative to Governor's goals, Health Cabinet goals, and department goals
• Oversee the Senior Executive Team (who run HCPF offices or cross-office critical functions) and the Executive Leadership Team (who run HCPF's safety net coverage programs)
• Be the face of HCPF to elected officials, providers, and other stakeholders
• Design and advance special projects that drive innovation to achieve HCPF's mission
• Drive health care transparency, policy, reporting, and tools to save Coloradans and employers money on health care
• Work with federal regulators at the highest levels to mitigate risk and ensure compliance
• Coordinate and partner closely with counties and medical assistance sites that connect Coloradans to HCPF's safety net programs, while ensuring accurate and timely processing and a high-quality member experience
• Maintain a leadership team of highly qualified, expert, and dedicated individuals who reflect the diversity of the people of the State of Colorado
• Serve as a member of the Governor's Cabinet, providing advice and counsel for the Governor and state legislature on HCPF's safety net programs and all matters related to health care purchasing and national health care reform
• Represent and advocate for the agency and the Governor before key external stakeholders to include: The Legislature, Tribal governments, statewide elected officials, constituent groups, local government, professional associations, businesses, labor organizations, interagency groups, Congress, and federal agencies

Organizational Relationships: Medical Services Board; Departments of Human Services and Public Health & Environment; Behavioral Health Administration; Division of Insurance; Joint Budget Committee; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Department of Labor and Employment on ColoradoCorps; Chief Performance Officer

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Preferred Education/Experience:

• Seasoned leader with demonstrated executive health plan C-suite leadership, minimum of 5 years
• Seasoned leader with proven management experience running large organizations with significant budgets, including the oversight of management processes, performance dashboards, executive communications for a minimum of 10 years
• Demonstrated political acumen and ability to influence state and national officials and leaders to deliver transformations in healthcare success
• Experience being responsible for the successful leadership and management of a health care organization in either the public or private sector
• Working knowledge/experience with a state Medicaid program. Complementary knowledge of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), federal health care authorities, processes, and regulations
• Experience developing or providing the overall vision and strategic plan, at an executive leadership level, for a health care organization
• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests
• Experience overseeing the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects for an organization
• Experience overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of an organization including operations management, negotiation, policy development, and implementation
• A minimum of 15 years' experience in senior leadership roles, or its equivalent, is required

Specific skills and commitments required:

• Exceptional integrity, ethics, and transparency
• Significant fiscal responsibility, including managing budgets and budget policy alignment, in a complex organization
• Experience interacting with and influencing elected officials, legislative representatives, committees and/or other governmental entities as well as businesses, Tribes, community leaders and other stakeholders and partners
• Ability to respond to questions from the media, speak at public gatherings, and represent the department and state government as directed by the Governor
• Demonstrated ability to lead a customer-centered organization, acting as a strategic business partner while still performing a regulatory function with an emphasis on adding value through improved customer service
• Progressive management experience in a Medicaid program, a Regional Accountable Entity, a private health insurance program, a government agency, or another related public or private nonprofit health service organization
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state medical assistance programs, managed care operations and principles, the health care provider marketplace, state and federal health care reform law and policy, as well as provider relations
• Knowledge of historical context of Colorado State health policy and evolution of federal law impacting low-income populations, including Title XIX (Medicaid), Title XXI (CHIP), Title XVIII (Medicare), national health reform, and Colorado's Tribes
• Experience in health equity, addressing systemic health disparities and collaborating with diverse, vulnerable and underrepresented populations with a commitment to cultural competency that enables effective outcomes and working relationships in cross-cultural situations
• Ability to participate in statewide planning efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services to Coloradans and determine what policies, programs, and budgets are needed to achieve department goals
• Experience developing project plans for new initiatives and directing staff to implement projects on time and on budget

Conditions of employment: Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed

Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit an online application for this position at buildingcoloradosfuturetogether.org. 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 before the closing date.
A resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.
Benefits

The State of Colorado offers a competitive benefits package to permanent employees:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.
We believe that diverse teams produce better results and encourage people of a variety of backgrounds and qualifications to apply.
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