Chief Data Officer - ITSD

The Chief Data Officer ( CDO) provides executive leadership and strategic direction for enterprise data governance, analytics, business intelligence, and data modernization initiatives across the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare. The CDO is responsible for developing and implementing statewide data strategies that improve operational effectiveness, support evidence-based policymaking, enhance public health outcomes, and ensure secure, compliant management of sensitive health and human services data.

This role collaborates with executive leadership, program divisions, IT teams, and external stakeholders to establish enterprise data standards, oversee analytics initiatives, improve interoperability, and promote a data-driven culture throughout the agency. The CDO reports within the Information Technology Services Division and partners closely with Medicaid, Public Health, Behavioral Health, Self-Reliance, Child Welfare, and Financial Services leadership., * Developing and executing the department’s enterprise data strategy aligned with DHW mission and strategic objectives, leading modernization of data platforms, analytics capabilities, reporting systems, and data-sharing initiatives, and identifying opportunities to leverage emerging technologies including cloud data platforms, AI/ML analytics, predictive modeling, and geospatial intelligence.

• Stablishing and maintaining enterprise data governance frameworks, policies, standards, and stewardship models, ensuring compliance with HIPAA, CMS, IRS, federal grant requirements, state privacy laws, and cybersecurity standards, and overseeing data quality, integrity, accessibility, lifecycle management, retention, and metadata standards.
• Leading enterprise reporting, dashboards, and advanced analytics initiatives supporting executive decision-making, promoting use of analytics to improve healthcare delivery, public health monitoring, fraud detection, operational efficiency, and program outcomes, and supporting performance measurement and outcome-based program evaluation.
• Coordinating data-sharing efforts across state agencies, healthcare partners, federal programs, and community organizations, collaborating with executive leadership and program administrators to identify strategic data priorities, and representing DHW on statewide technology, interoperability, and data governance committees.
• Partnering with ITSD leadership on enterprise architecture, cloud strategy, cybersecurity, and application modernization, guiding implementation of integrated data systems and interoperability solutions, and evaluating and recommending technologies that enhance customer service and operational effectiveness.
• Building and managing high-performing data, analytics, and business intelligence teams, developing budgets, staffing plans, vendor relationships, and procurement recommendations, and communicating technical and analytical concepts clearly to executive leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

Do you have experience in Team management?, * Considerable knowledge of current industry trends, products, and services in information systems, processing equipment, and software. Typically gained by at least five years of progressively responsible experience in the information technology (IT) field within the last ten years.

• Experience managing a professional information technology staff through subordinate supervisors. Typically gained by at least three years of managing a professional information technology staff through subordinate supervisors.
• Experience developing and controlling an operating budget. Typically gained by one year of experience developing and controlling an operating budget.
• Experience developing and implementing IT policies and procedures. Typically gained by at least two years of experience developing and implementing IT policies and procedures. This experience should have impacted a large program and/or multiple programs.
• Experience advising top-level management regarding major IT matters. Typically gained by five years of experience advising top-level management regarding major IT matters. This will include identifying when an issue needs to be escalated, appropriate audience to notify and method of communication.
• Experience developing short-and long-range plans and assessing training needs. Typically gained by at least two years of experience in short and long-range planning including developing and implementing policies and procedures. Experience should have included identifying current and future needs, analyzing and forecasting trends and identifying solutions.

Below is preferred experience. It is not required for the position but applicants with this experience may receive consideration over other applicants.

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Health Informatics, Public Administration, MBA, or related field. Typically gained by advanced graduate-level coursework and applied academic or capstone projects.
• Experience in Medicaid, public health, social services, or government technology environments. Typically gained by professional roles in state agencies, health systems, or public-sector programs.
• Knowledge of interoperability standards (FHIR, HL7), GIS/geospatial analytics, AI and predictive analytics, and data warehousing and enterprise architecture. Typically gained by specialized training, project-based work, or hands-on implementation in technical or data-focused roles.
• Data governance expertise. Typically gained by leading or contributing to data stewardship, quality management, privacy, or compliance initiatives within an organization.
• Vendor and contract management. Typically gained by overseeing third-party service providers, negotiating agreements, and managing contract performance in operational or project leadership roles.

Pulled from the full job description

• Loan forgiveness
• Paid parental leave
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

• Dental insurance, The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• We have one of the Nation’s best state retirement systems (PERSI) that offers a lifetime benefit at retirement.
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)
• Paid parental leave
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits that become effective first of the month following your hire date. All contributions can be pre-tax (full-time/30+ hours per week)
• 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options
• Deferred compensation plan
• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Wide variety of training opportunities
• Some positions offer flexible hours and/or telecommuting
• Additional perks and discounts available through medical provider
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility
• Employee assistance program