Chief Medical Officer

Job Requisition ID: 58250
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 09/15/2026
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title: MEDICAL ADM IV - 26405
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option:
Salary: Anticipated monthly starting salary - $225,000 annual; Full salary range: $225,000 - $275,000 annual
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Division of Medical Programs is seeking to hire a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to serve as an advisor and clinical resource for the Illinois Medical Assistance Program. The CMO will report directly to the Medicaid Administrator and build and lead a new clinical vertical within the agency. The CMO will implement quality strategies to drive the delivery of high-quality healthcare; oversee, develop, and make recommendations for clinical policy and clinical program development; and represent the Department in external meetings on clinical policy issues important to the Illinois Medicaid Program, including meetings with state and federal officials, providers, Medicaid customer advisory committees, sister agency staff, and state and national associations.

The ideal candidate will have clinical experience serving Medicaid customers, leadership experience within a government agency or large organization providing healthcare services, expertise in public policy or public health, experience developing quality strategies and leading quality management, experience with managed care, and experience building and leading a clinical team.

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the State of Illinois Medical Assistance Program (the Medicaid Program) administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).
• Develops and implements quality strategies to drive the delivery of high-quality healthcare for the Illinois Medical Assistance Program and its beneficiaries.
• Oversees, develops, and makes recommendations for clinical policy and clinical program development.
• Serves as a full-line supervisor.
• Serves as Agency and Division spokesperson, representing the Agency and Division upon request, when conferring with sister agencies, health care provider associations, patient advocacy groups, and government partners, including the Illinois General Assembly, Office of the Governor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and other local, state and federal agencies.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Medical Doctor with Board Certification, a current valid Illinois medical license or current licensure in another state, and the ability to obtain Illinois licensure within six (6) months that is related to the medical specialty of psychiatry, rehabilitation, medicine or other specialty that is clinically appropriate to the psychiatric or habilitation setting.
• Five (5) years of clinical experience.
• Three (3) years of management experience within an organization providing healthcare services.
• Two (2) years of experience developing and maintaining effective working relationships with various professionals, government agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of clinical experience, preferably serving diverse and/or low-income populations.
• Five (5) years of management experience within a government agency, managed care organization, or large organization that provides healthcare services to Medicaid beneficiaries.
• Four (4) years of experience developing and maintaining effective working relationships with various professionals, government agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations.
• Four (4) years of experience in public policy or public health.
• Three (3) years of experience with quality management theory and practice.
• Three (3) years of experience with Medicaid and the organizations and systems involved in managed care.
• Two (2) years of experience building and leading a clinical team.
• Two (2) years of experience in an accountable care organization (ACO) or value-based payment arrangements.
• Two (2) years of experience demonstrating strong written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Advanced training or graduate degree in management, public policy, public health, or business administration.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties listed in the job description.

About the Agency

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Headquarter Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
Work County: Cook
Email: View email address on us.fitly.work
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

Statement of Economic Interest:

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• View email address on us.fitly.work
• View email address on us.fitly.work