Chief Product Manager (CPM) in Austin, TX

Description

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Chief Product Manager (CPM) 
Job Title: Project Manager IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: MMIS Staff APD Internal 90/10 
Posting Number: 10435 
Closing Date: 01/18/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $10,785.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel:  
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 2611,8058,8060,8848,16KX,1D7X1,32EX,3D0X4,611X,612X,63A,63AX,641X,712X,8K000,BU,CE,EA,SEI16 
 
 
 

The Chief Product Manager (CPM) reports to the Director II of Medicaid IT Contracted Systems and works in coordination with the Systems Architect (SA) and the Agile Program Lead/Release Train Engineer (RTE) of the Medicaid and CHIP Systems IT Applications, and Product Strategy team to develop vision and roadmap documentation. The selected individual will perform technical analysis and provide guidance to other agency areas regarding interpretation of policies and procedures in support of Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) functionality. The candidate will routinely interact with business users and contracted IT representatives. This position will ensure contractor systems meet agency information technology directives, plans, goals, and contract requirements for Medicaid/CHIP programs including, but not limited to, Vendor Drug, Acute and Long-Term Care. This position participates in planning, definition and high-level design of the solution while actively participating in continuous discovery, especially with developing a Vision, Roadmap and program/product backlogs. The CPM is responsible for providing support and collaboration in managing the development of a roadmap and continued facilitation of the backlog refinement with the Chief Product Owner (CPO). This roadmap is documented at the program level to ensure continuous communication, alignment, and commitment regarding preparation for Planning Interval (PI) planning.  This may include identification, development, input into, or validation of a solution.  The CPM assumes a strategic role which ensures all aspects of the creation and delivery of an emergent program backlog.  Will work with the product delivery teams and all pertinent stakeholders when developing and refining the product backlog.  Reviews complex deliverables and provides comments to document owners. Support and/or prepares and presents complex communications and/or reports on road mapping and other assignments to all levels of staff up to and including executive management. Support project management activities for large initiatives. Works under minimal direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Must be willing to work onsite at an Austin, TX HHS office three (3), or more, days per week. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

1. Collaborates and facilitates Road-mapping activities to develop a product backlog with all appropriate HHSC stakeholders.  This includes planning and all supporting activities including Epic backlog development, identification, facilitation, and coordination with impacted stakeholders and other IT teams or vendors, facilitation of estimate requests, risk/issue identification, and cross-team coordination. Includes traditional project management activities. [50%] 

1. Analyzes, documents and reports on the IT component of product backlogs with emphasis on identification of risk factors, dependencies, enablers and develops the associated mitigation strategies. Provides status updates on the Road-mapping activities and responds to questions from management. [25%] 
   
   

1. Coordinates with vendor discovery support team to provide necessary input to help refine features as necessary, to provide technical feedback, to support the definition of enabler stories, develop wireframes, POCs, and support the HHSC Systems Architect to develop the architectural runway. [25%] 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of computer systems and of the techniques used in automated systems
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software
• Knowledge of computer operating systems
• Advanced knowledge of multiple computer-based systems, information technology management, and systems development methodologies including programming languages, systems analysis, and system testing. 
• Knowledge of Medicaid and/or CHIP Program and Policy.
• Knowledge of Project Management approaches
• Knowledge of Product Backlog management
• Skill in providing leadership and managing personnel in a team environment
• Skill in communicating issues and coordinating oversight across multiple cross-functional divisions. 
• Skill in monitoring and reporting on the status of large-scale technical solutions
• Skill in Agile Methodology
• Skill in ensuring systems meet business user requirements
• Skill in coordinating and solving problems
• Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing with technical and non-technical staff
• Skill in reviewing technical requirements and ensuring vendor is using best practices and technology

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Product Owner Product Manager (POPM)  Certification preferred

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Experience working with Texas Medicaid/CHIP programs required.
• Three (3) or more years of experience is required in the areas of customer relationship management, product management, product development, product ownership, project management, leading technical initiatives, systems analysis, business analysis, policy analysis, program support, business process analysis, or legislative bill analysis.
• A minimum of 4 years equivalent (120 credit hours) from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, communications, computer science, computer information systems, management information systems, or another business or IT related field is preferred. Work experience in business, communications, computer science, computer information systems, management information systems, or another business or IT related field can be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Prior experience working with external vendors preferred.
• Prior experience with Agile principles preferred. 

Additional Information:

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.

• Selected candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Selected candidate must be willing to work from an HHS office located in Austin, designated by the hiring manager. 

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.