Director, DDA Analytics and Policy

Department

The Hilltop Institute conducts research and policy analysis to support health care financing and delivery system reform in Maryland and other states. With access to an extensive onsite data repository that includes Medicaid and Medicare administrative data, hospital discharge data, nursing home assessment data, and all-payer claims data, Hilltop conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform health care payment, program design, monitoring, and evaluation.

Widely recognized for its expertise in Medicaid, Hilltop is at the forefront of national efforts to find data-driven solutions to complex problems facing state policymakers.

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Aging & Disability Studies, the Director of DDA Analytics and Policy will lead Hilltop’s analytic and policy support for Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration. This role oversees data analysis, policy research, reporting, and analytics interpretation that inform DDA program operations, waiver administration, fiscal monitoring, and strategic planning. The incumbent will work closely with a dedicated DDA accountant to integrate policy, program, and financial perspectives and serve as Hilltop’s primary analytic and policy partner for DDA leadership.

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $140,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

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A hybrid telework schedule may be available.

• Interpreting state and federal policy changes and assessing operational and analytic implications.
• Leading analytic and policy work related to DDA programs, waivers, and service delivery models.
• Overseeing production of analytic deliverables including dashboards, reports, and briefing materials.
• Working in close partnership with a DDA-dedicated accountant to integrate financial and utilization perspectives.
• Providing analytic and policy decision support for DDA leadership, CMS communications, and legislative requests.
• Leading planning and development of materials for internal and external stakeholder meetings and engagements.
• Ensuring data quality, documentation, and methodological rigor across DDA analytics.
• Serving as Hilltop’s primary analytic and policy point of contact for DDA staff.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requires an MA or PhD in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 8 years of related experience. A BA in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 10 years of related experience may be substituted for the MA or PhD.

Must have experience working directly with Medicaid programs, waiver programs, or developmental disabilities services; significant professional experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, or applied analytics, preferably in public health, human services, Medicaid, or long-term services and supports; demonstrated experience translating complex analytic findings into clear, actionable guidance for non-technical stakeholders; experience managing analytic projects, including prioritizing work, overseeing deliverables, and ensuring methodological rigor;

experience working collaboratively across disciplines (e.g., policy, analytics, finance, and operations).

The ideal candidate will possess an MA or PhD in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 10 years of related experience. A BA in public policy, public administration, health policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field and at least 12 years of related experience may be substituted for the MA or PhD.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following preferred professional and interpersonal competencies: experience supporting or advising state agencies,…