Chief of Staff to CIO, Sr. Principal

Job Description

The Technology team is responsible for the delivery, operation, and governance of secure, compliant, and scalable platforms that support critical healthcare services and enable the successful separation and long-term independence of the Ascendiun family of companies. The Chief of Staff, Sr. Principal will report to the Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this role you will serve as the CIO's trusted advisor, strategic partner, and operational leader.

This role enables clarity, alignment, and disciplined execution across the Technology organization, ensuring that strategy translates into sustained, measurable outcomes.

Our leadership model is about developing great leaders at all levels and creating opportunities for our people to grow – personally, professionally, and financially. We are looking for leaders that are energized by creative and critical thinking, building and sustaining high-performing teams, getting results the right way, and fostering continuous learning.

In this role, you will:

• Drive the development and execution of the Technology strategy by translating the CIO's vision into clear priorities, operating plans, and measurable outcomes; establish governance structures, operating rhythms, and decision frameworks
• Own and evolve the Technology operating model, including change control, delivery lifecycle governance, and escalation paths
• Enable the Technology leadership team by coordinating executive forums, governance reviews, and planning cycles; develop executive communications and materials
• Lead cross-functional and cross-entity coordination across Stellarus and BSC, ensuring alignment on priorities, delivery, and compliance
• Drive execution discipline and delivery transparency through dashboards, KPIs, and reporting frameworks
• Lead complex, high-impact initiatives such as separation readiness and governance implementation
• Craft clear narratives that support executive decision-making and influence stakeholders
• Drive disciplined operational management across financials, headcount, and resource planning

In this role, you will need:

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in strategy, operations, consulting, or technology leadership roles
• Demonstrated experience as a Chief of Staff, strategic advisor, or senior operational leader
• Exceptional communication skills with ability to influence executive stakeholders
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking capabilities
• Proven track record leading large-scale, high-impact initiatives
• Experience with operating model design, governance frameworks, and program delivery
• Experience in regulated environments preferred
• Familiarity with Technology Business Management and enterprise operating models preferred
• Demonstrated success introducing scalable frameworks and processes
• Expertise in operational excellence and execution discipline

This role requires employees to be in-office based on our hybrid workplace model, balancing purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility. For most teams, this means coming into the office two days each week.

Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location will work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need.

Stellarus, launched in January 2025, is designed to scale innovative healthcare solutions that support customers in creating a health care experience deserving of their family, friends, and neighbors. Stellarus is part of a family of organizations that is overseen by a nonprofit corporate entity named Ascendiun. The Ascendiun Family of Companies also includes Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and Altais, a clinical services company.

Stellarus' vision is to empower its customers to create a healthcare experience that is worthy of their family, friends, and neighbors. Stellarus' objective is to offer innovative, modern, scalable solutions that challenge the health care status quo. This very closely aligns with Blue Shield of California's vision by using innovation to improve quality, affordability, and experience for members.

To achieve our mission, we foster an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the various communities we serve. We are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds our values and advances our goals.

Our Values:

At Stellarus, our core values of agility, trust, drive, courage and service shape our approach to developing innovative product offerings.

Our Workplace Model:

We believe in fostering a workplace environment that balances purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility - providing clear expectations while respecting the diverse needs of our workforce. Our workplace model is designed around intentional in-person interaction, collaboration, connection, creativity and flexibility:

• For most teams, this means coming into the office two days per…