Director, Health Care Authority

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the authority shall have a director appointed by the governor, with consent of the senate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Make a Difference at the WA State Health Care Authority!
Are you passionate about improving health outcomes and driving innovation? The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is on a mission to transform health care for over 2.7 million people across the state, and we need dedicated individuals like you to help make it happen!

As the state’s largest health care purchaser and the single authority for Apple Health (Medicaid), behavioral health services, and Public and School Employee Benefits programs (PEBB/SEBB), HCA is at the forefront of health care innovation. We are committed to using value-based policies, evidence-based treatments, and cutting-edge technology to create a healthier future for Washington residents.

With 1,500 employees, we put people first. Join an organization that is committed to health equity, fairness, and accountability. HCA’s vision of a healthier Washington is powered by the people who work here, so join our team by applying now!

The opportunity

We are seeking a visionary leader to serve as our Director, driving the strategic vision and operational excellence of health care delivery, policy, and purchasing across the state.  In this role, you’ll report directly to the Governor and have the opportunity to shape the future of health care for over 2.7 million people. Your leadership will steer a system of health care provided through a mix of managed care frameworks and fee-for-service programs, all while managing a biennial budget of nearly $32 billion—over 24% of the state’s total operating budget.

This cabinet-level position requires someone with outstanding leadership skills, deep expertise in health care policy, and the ability to navigate complex federal and state regulations. Your influence will directly affect policy decisions and the operational excellence that drives Washington’s public health and wellness initiatives.

What you’ll work on

• Strategic Leadership: Build and guide a high-performing, dedicated team in improving health outcomes and delivering value-based care.  Lead statewide health system transformation, integrating behavioral health into a comprehensive model.
• Policy and Innovation: Drive implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Cascade Care Select, and Medicaid Transformation Waiver.  Influence state and federal health care policy and oversee initiatives addressing legal and policy issues in behavioral health.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee Apple Health, PEBB, and SEBB programs, providing coverage for millions of residents and employees.  Foster relationships with Medicaid providers to ensure robust coverage and equitable access.
• Budget Management: Manage a $32 billion biennial budget, ensuring alignment with state priorities.

• Partnership Engagement: Collaborate with local, state, tribal, and federal entities, as well as legislative bodies and labor organizations.  Chair key Boards and Committees, strengthening partnerships with community and health care providers.

Key Challenges and Opportunities

• Behavioral Health Integration: Address rising behavioral health needs through expanded services and innovative solutions.
• Health System Transformation: Lead the shift from volume-based to value-based health care delivery.
• Medicaid Evolution: Adapt to changes in federal funding and policy while maintaining high-quality care.
• Cost Management: Develop creative strategies to mitigate rising health care costs without overburdening employees or the State.

Required Qualifications: 

Education and Experience:

• Senior management experience in a complex public or private health care organization.
• Experience managing a diverse workforce delivering services to a complex client base.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state medical assistance programs, managed care operations and principles, the health care provider marketplace and health care purchasing, federal health care reform and policy as well as employee benefit programs.
• Proven success in policy development, and collaboration with local, state, tribal, and federal government agencies and officials.

Competencies and Skills:

• Visionary leadership with the ability to coach, inspire and manage large teams.
• Ability to understand and articulate national trends, federal requirements, and state mandates to a variety of audiences and organizations.  
• Ability to lead and energize staff through large scale, systemic change to achieve a common goal.
• Exceptional communication / public presentation and negotiation skills.

Personal Attributes:

• Curious and thoughtful; demonstrates a commitment to innovation and creative problem solving.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented leadership style.
• Strong ethical foundation and accountability.
• Strong critical and analytical thinking capability.

Desired Qualifications:

• Graduate level degree in social services, public administration, health care policy, public health, law, or a closely related field.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position.  If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

What we offer: 

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer: 

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging  

• Tuition reimbursement 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year

• State retirement programs  

Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it.  So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following: 

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education. 
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Questions: 
Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact:

LeAnna Spriestersbach

Principal

Anvil Rock Consulting, LLC

253-227-5821

leanna@anvilrockconsulting.com

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $145,404 - $251,208