A little bit about the opportunity...
Virginia has a rare opportunity to meaningfully transform how technology supports rural health care by reducing provider burden, improving care coordination, and strengthening outcomes statewide. This role is a career-defining opportunity to help lead that transformation over a five-year, grant-funded period requiring consistent leadership from strategy through execution.VHCF has been selected to steward major funding streams under Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation initiative (Virginia Rural Vitality), part of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Over five years, VHCF will manage up to $171.8 million across two priority areas: Provider Productivity and Provider Interoperability.These investments will fund decision-support tools, workflow automation, EHR modernization, cybersecurity infrastructure, and interoperable systems aligned with national standards and the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem.
More about the role...
Reporting directly to the VHCF CEO, the CTO provides strategic oversight and execution leadership for VHCF’s Rural Health Transformation initiatives, including delivery on responsibilities outlined in Virginia’s federal RHT application and award. While working in close partnership with state leaders, hospitals and health systems, rural and health safety care net providers, and other key stakeholders, the Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) ensures VHCF’s efforts are coordinated, accountable, and positioned for durable, statewide impact.
The CTO will also work closely with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), rural providers, community partners, and federal stakeholders to ensure initiatives are implemented effectively, aligned with program goals, and responsive to political and operational realities.The CTO will be responsible for building and leading a small, high-performing team focused on grant and program management, analytics, and stakeholder engagement.
As the CTO, you will be responsible for the following:
Strategic Leadership & Statewide Coordination
- Serve as the senior strategic lead for VHCF’s Rural Health Transformation portfolio, translating CMS objectives into multi-year strategies that balance policy intent, operational feasibility, and political realities.
- Partner closely with DMAS, executive branch leadership, and statewide stakeholders to align initiatives, mitigate risk, and ensure coordinated implementation across agencies and providers.
Grant & Investment Oversight
- Provide executive oversight of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar grant portfolio, including RFP design, competitive grant cycles, and phased implementation across grantee cohorts.
- Establish and maintain clear governance, fiscal controls, and accountability frameworks for budgets, milestones, and deliverables.
Performance, Analytics & Continuous Improvement
- Define success metrics and performance frameworks; oversee data collection, reporting, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
- Use data and evaluation insights to identify risks, guide course correction, and inform future investment decisions.
Health IT Transformation: Interoperability & Productivity
- Lead statewide investments supporting EHR modernization, interoperability, cybersecurity readiness, and provider productivity.
- Ensure alignment with federal standards and frameworks (e.g., FHIR, HL7, CMS Health Tech Ecosystem).
- Support rural providers in selecting, implementing, and optimizing technology solutions that reduce administrative burden and improve care delivery, and increase interoperable data exchange.
Systems Change & Implementation Support
- Identify structural, operational, and policy barriers that impede transformation efforts and facilitate cross-sector problem-solving.
- Support implementation leaders without duplicating operational management responsibilities housed within DMAS.
Qualified candidates should possess the following:
Leadership Experience & Capabilities
- 7–10 years of experience in healthcare, public health, health policy, or large-scale systems transformation
- Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives involving public funding
- Strong analytical background; experience in analyst, strategy, or policy roles
- Proven ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive environments
- Experience working with or alongside state agencies
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Health Care & Technology Expertise
- Working knowledge of EHR systems, interoperability standards and CMS Health Tech Ecosystem frameworks
- Familiarity with digital health tools such as automation platforms, AI-enabled clinical support, or ambient documentation solutions
- Understanding of cybersecurity, HIPAA compliance, and digital health risk considerations
Virginia Rural Health Context
- Deep familiarity with Virginia’s rural healthcare ecosystem (e.g., FQHCs, RHCs, free clinics, independent providers)
- Understanding of provider workflow challenges, administrative burden, and technology adoption barriers in under-resourced settings
You might be a good fit for this role if you are:
- A strategic, systems-level thinker who plans several moves ahead and anticipates political, operational, and downstream impacts before they surface.
- Comfortable designing and implementing large-scale initiatives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments (including leadership and policy transitions), where flexibility and discernment are key
- Someone who can step into an active, high-visibility initiative quickly, synthesize context, and add value without requiring a long on-ramp.
- Grounded in analysis and evidence, with experience in making data-driven decisions
- A behind-the-scenes integrator who enables alignment across agencies and partners without needing to own day-to-day operations.
Reasons it pays to work at VHCF (besides the pay itself):
- A collegial and engaging workplace with talented, mission-driven colleagues
- Comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and disability insurance
- 403(b) retirement contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Generous paid time off and 13 paid holidays
Virginia Health Care Foundation, a public-private partnership dedicated to increasing access to primary care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians. Since its founding in 1992, VHCF has helped 900,000-plus Virginians obtain medical, dental, and behavioral health services via 4.1 million visits. www.vhcf.org. Don’t meet every single requirement? At VHCF, we are dedicated to recruiting, developing, and retaining talented individuals from a broad candidate pool, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with 100% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to still apply.
Our hiring philosophy looks to weed people INTO our process, not weed them out! Who knows, you may be just the right candidate for a future role at VHCF. Just go for it... submit your resume!
