Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Director, State Demonstration Group

Multiple Locations $151661 - $228000 PA ES Closes Oct 29, 2026

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Summary

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Demonstrated executive-level experience leading national Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration policy, including budget neutrality methodologies, Medicaid and State financing, Federal financial participation, and implementation of major legislative mandates. Experience leading and managing a large and/or highly complex, multidisciplinary workforce, including through subordinate supervisors; setting strategic direction; aligning organizational structures, workforce capacity, and financial and operational resources with mission priorities; and maintaining direct accountability for organizational performance, workforce management, and fiscal outcomes. Experience resolving complex, high-profile, politically sensitive, or precedent-setting issues with significant national policy and fiscal implications; advising senior officials; and negotiating with Federal and State leaders and stakeholders to resolve programmatic, regulatory, financial, and operational challenges. Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational change, competing priorities, and resource constraints while developing leadership capacity, managing risk, and ensuring successful execution of high-visibility program objectives. TQ 2: Demonstrated tenured, executive-level expertise interpreting and applying complex and evolving statutory, regulatory, and policy frameworks to make authoritative, precedent-setting determinations on Section 1115 demonstrations, including budget neutrality, Medicaid financing, Federal financial participation, and program design. Experience resolving novel or ambiguous legal, policy, fiscal, and operational issues; establishing defensible policy interpretations; translating program priorities and major legislative mandates into implementable initiatives; and advising senior leadership, State Medicaid officials, Federal partners, and Congress on matters of significant consequence and nationwide impact. Demonstrated ability to integrate complex policy, fiscal, operational, and risk considerations into executive decision-making and coordinate across multidisciplinary teams and intergovernmental stakeholders to achieve national program objectives. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Major Duties

Provides executive leadership and national strategic direction for Section 1115 demonstrations, translating Administration, HHS, and CMS priorities into national policies, strategies, and implementation approaches.
Establishes and implements national policies, standards, and procedures for Section 1115 design, review, approval, financing, budget neutrality, implementation, monitoring, renewal, and evaluation.
Leads review, negotiation, and approval of Section 1115 demonstrations and ensures fiscal integrity and budget neutrality while resolving complex legal, financing, actuarial, and programmatic issues.
Leads implementation of major Medicaid legislative mandates, translating statutory requirements into national policies and operational strategies and coordinating execution across CMS, HHS, States, and Federal partners.
Advises senior State Medicaid officials and leads Federal coordination with OMB, OGC, the CMS Chief Actuary, HHS, and other agencies to resolve complex Section 1115 policy, fiscal, financing, budget neutrality and implementation issues.
Directs governance, monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement for the Section 1115 portfolio, leveraging technology, data, transparency, monitoring and evaluation findings to strengthen accountability and inform national policy.
Advises senior CMS and HHS leaders and represents CMS with the Administration, Congress, States, and Federal partners while directing workforce and resources and ensuring the performance and integrity of the Section 1115 enterprise.
Identifies emerging Medicaid trends, systemic risks, and policy opportunities and directs strategic and corrective actions to achieve national program objectives, ensure Federal compliance, and safeguard Medicaid resources.

Required Documents

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. 2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy. Click the following link to preview the assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13091509. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification. CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)" Applicants must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment when requested by the agency to assess suitability for Federal employment.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/29/2026 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. Commissioned Corps Officers (including Commissioned Corps professionally boarded applicants) who are interested in applying for this position must send their cover letter and professional resume (not PHS Curriculum Vitae) to [email protected] in lieu of applying through this announcement. The resume should specifically explain how you are qualified for this position and draw specific attention to your skills and experiences that demonstrate these qualifications. Also send any transcripts, licenses or certifications as requested in this announcement. Please send all documents in 1 PDF file. In the subject line of your e-mail include only the Job Announcement Number. In the body of your e-mail include your current rank name and serial number. Failure to provide this information may impact your consideration for this position.