Dir,NMCHP

The College of Population Health (COPH) at the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center educates the future population/public health workforce, partners with communities to conduct impactful research, and serves New Mexico’s communities, government and non-profit agencies, businesses and health–related organizations. The College and Health Sciences Center have deep connections to our diverse Native, Latinx/Hispanic and African American communities, with missions to improve the health and health equity of low-income New Mexicans, underrepresented minorities, and other vulnerable populations. The COPH houses three education programs: the Bachelor of Science in Population Health (BSPH), the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the newly launched PhD in Health Equity Sciences.  COPH has had an accredited MPH program for nearly 30 years. Within one year, we tripled the size of our faculty and more than doubled the size of our administrative staff.  We are now doubling our student enrollment and preparing to seek accreditation as a school of public health.  Our growth has included adding an Academic Health Department and a Government Resource Center (GRC).
The GRC which is titled “New Mexico Center for Health Policy (CHP),” functions similarly to the roughly two dozen university-based health policy centers around the country that partner closely with the state agency responsible for the Medicaid program and are part of the State University Partnership Learning Network (SUPLN) associated with Academy Health.  The Center employs the necessary leadership and staff to create state-specific health information and conduct policy-related projects through analysis, research, and program support. Center staff work collaboratively with the Human Services Department (HSD) to support evidence-based state health policy and practice, inform the Center’s research with the practical expertise of state officials, and promote state considerations in research questions and methods.  Further, staff assist HSD in taking a lead role in transforming the Medicaid health care delivery and payment system for New Mexico through state-directed research.

The New Mexico CHP, housed within COPH, is currently seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as Executive Director.  This individual will have a solid understanding of health policy and research, as well as the skills necessary to ensure that all Center products are timely and of the highest value for the state.  The Executive Director will oversee CHP projects dedicated to serving and working with New Mexican communities (e.g., Latinx/Hispanic, American Indian, African American, rural) across the state. This role will work closely with the NM Human Services Department as well as the NM Health Authority to oversee the NM CHP staff and faculty/staff subject matter experts on projects. The selected candidate will provide integrated direction, management, and leadership in the administrative and business planning, budgeting, outreach to state agencies, and automation efforts of CHP.

Detailed Duties and Responsibilities:

• Fiscal responsibility for the CHP working closely with college administrative leads
• Works with state and UNM COPH leadership to identify and prepare to address the needs of New Mexico’s Medicaid population
• Directs and integrates the activities of multiple, major project operations; ensures that project efforts are generally cohesive, consistent, and effective in supporting the University's mission, goals, and strategic plan.
• Cultivates and assures an effective relationship with the New Mexico Human Services Department and the New Mexico Department of Health as well as other state agencies
• Develops and establishes policies, strategies, and operating objectives consistent with those of the organization to ensure efficient and effective implementation of major cross-university projects and/or projects tied to strategic institutional priorities.
• Participates in and oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of individual project objectives and short- and long-range plans; develops tracking and evaluation programs to assist in the accomplishment of established project goals and objectives.
• Manages and administers a large, diverse team of professional/technical and support staff, both directly and through lower-level managers and supervisors.
• Develops, administers and manages complex, multi-faceted budgets and business plans for component units, as it relates to project development and deployment at an institutional level; performs periodic cost and productivity analyses.
• Builds relationships and encourages collaboration with other University of New Mexico entities interested in Medicaid or health policy.
• The Health Policy Center will partner with the Human Services Department (HSD), Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and appropriate National, state, and Academic stakeholders to:
• Identify performance measures that capture the impact of improving health outcomes for all New Mexicans
  Explore how the use of incentives and data-based decision-making can drive quality improvement
• Develop strategic guidance and recommendations regarding training and technical assistance for providers and payers to facilitate implementation of effective value-based purchasing programs

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Doctorate degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of state legislation
• Proficiency to create a budget working with center staff
• Proficiency in summarizing findings and providing written reports and presentations
• Ability to work effectively with state leaders including agency leads and legislators
• Experience working with lobbyists
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state health policy
• Experience developing or supporting health policy legislation
• Track record of developing Government Resource Centers
• Expertise in law and contract development
• Knowledge of and experience with certified public expenditures
• Experience working on state and Medicaid policy in the private sector
• Knowledge of New Mexico’s Medicaid population

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html . Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.