Assistant Chief Information Officer

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Assistant Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead the strategic planning, development, and operation of information technology systems and services specifically for our critical Medicaid programs. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of Maryland residents by ensuring the robust and efficient delivery of healthcare services through innovative technology solutions, with a forward-thinking vision for the strategic and ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). About the Maryland Department of Health: The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health of all Marylanders. We achieve this mission through a wide range of programs and services, including public health initiatives, healthcare regulation, and the administration of vital programs like Medicaid, which provides healthcare coverage to millions across the state. Our Office of Information and Enterprise Technology plays a pivotal role in supporting these efforts, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, data integrity, and service delivery. Position Summary: The Assistant CIO for Medicaid will report directly to the Chief Information Officer and will be a key leader in advancing the MDH's mission through technological excellence. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of IT strategy, operations, and project delivery for Maryland's Medicaid enterprise, ensuring alignment with federal and state regulations, departmental goals, and the evolving needs of our beneficiaries and providers. A critical component of this role will be to develop and champion a compelling vision for how Artificial Intelligence can ethically and effectively transform Medicaid operations and beneficiary care within Maryland. Key Responsibilities: • Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive IT strategy for Medicaid programs, aligning with the overall MDH IT strategy and federal CMS guidelines. • AI Vision for Medicaid: Articulate and drive a forward-looking vision for the responsible and impactful use of AI within Maryland's Medicaid system. This includes: • * Identifying and prioritizing high-value AI use cases across the Medicaid enterprise, such as: • * Improving beneficiary engagement: Leveraging AI-powered chatbots for common inquiries, personalized outreach for preventive care, and streamlined navigation of services. • Enhancing fraud, waste, and abuse detection: Utilizing AI for advanced anomaly detection in claims data, provider patterns, and beneficiary utilization. • Streamlining administrative processes: Automating tasks like document processing, eligibility verification, and prior authorizations to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden. • Optimizing population health management: Employing predictive analytics to identify beneficiaries at high risk for chronic conditions, readmissions, or adverse health events, enabling proactive interventions. • Supporting clinical decision-making: Exploring AI tools that can provide insights to providers, assisting with diagnosis, treatment planning, and personalized care pathways (while ensuring clinical oversight). • Developing a roadmap for AI adoption that aligns with the Maryland State AI Enablement Strategy, emphasizing ethical considerations, data privacy, and bias mitigation. • Fostering a culture of AI literacy and innovation within the Medicaid IT team and across relevant program areas. • Collaborating with external partners (e.g., academic institutions, technology vendors, other states) to identify best practices and explore innovative AI solutions. • Program Management: Lead the planning, execution, and oversight of major Medicaid IT projects, including system modernizations, enhancements, and integrations, with a keen eye on incorporating AI and advanced analytics where appropriate. • Operational Excellence: Oversee the day-to-day operations of Medicaid IT systems, ensuring high availability, performance, and security. • Vendor Management: Manage relationships with IT vendors and contractors supporting Medicaid systems, including contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and service level agreement adherence, with an emphasis on partnerships that bring cutting-edge and ethically sound AI capabilities. • Compliance and Security: Ensure all Medicaid IT systems and data comply with HIPAA, CMS regulations, state policies, and other relevant federal and state mandates for privacy and security. This includes rigorously addressing ethical AI principles, data governance, and algorithmic transparency. • Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of IT professionals dedicated to Medicaid support. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, promoting AI literacy and skills development within the team. • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate extensively with internal MDH program directors, other state agencies, federal partners (e.g., CMS), and external stakeholders to understand evolving business needs and translate them into effective IT solutions, actively advocating for the strategic and responsible application of AI. • Budget Management: Develop and manage the IT budget for Medicaid programs, optimizing resource allocation and demonstrating return on investment, including strategic investments in AI initiatives. • Data and Analytics: Drive the use of data analytics and business intelligence to improve Medicaid program performance, reporting, and decision-making, leveraging AI to extract deeper insights from vast datasets. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Information Technology, Computer Science, Public Health, Business Administration, or a closely related field. • Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, with at least five (5) years in a leadership or management role overseeing complex IT systems and initiatives. • Demonstrated experience with large-scale enterprise IT system planning, implementation, and operations, preferably within a government or healthcare setting. • In-depth knowledge of Medicaid programs, policies, and regulations, including federal and state requirements for IT systems. • Proven experience in managing IT projects, budgets, and vendor relationships. • Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, data privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA), and best practices for secure health information management. • Demonstrable understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts, including machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, and a clear vision for their application in healthcare administration. -- Company DescriptionThe Maryland Department of Health promotes and improves the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. The Department provides a dynamic environment for IT leaders looking to make a significant impact on public health outcomes through technology. The Maryland Department of Health provides a dynamic environment for IT leaders looking to make a significant impact on public health outcomes through technology. Apply tot his job