Consulting Principal- Program Director, Healthcare (Payer) (Columbia)

About Cognizant Consulting

Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant’s consulting practice—we’re a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending deep industry expertise with leading technology capabilities, we create innovative solutions for Fortune 500 clients.

Now, we’re looking for our next leader to help shape the future of healthcare transformation.

About the Role

As a Consulting Principal: Program Director – Healthcare Payer Transformation , you will make an impact by leading complex, enterprise-wide transformation programs across healthcare payer organizations.

You will be a valued member of the Healthcare Consulting team, working closely with senior client stakeholders, business and technology leaders, and cross-functional teams to deliver integrated transformation outcomes.

In this role, you will:

• Lead large-scale healthcare transformation programs across claims, provider, member, billing, and operational domains, driving strategy through execution.

• Define and execute program roadmaps and governance models , ensuring alignment across business, IT, operations, and external partners.

• Serve as a functional leader across payer operations , translating business requirements into scalable operating models and transformation strategies.

• Drive cross-layer integration , connecting business processes, applications, data flows, APIs, and vendor solutions to ensure end-to-end delivery integrity.

• Engage executive stakeholders and lead governance forums , steering decision-making, managing vendor performance, and ensuring program success across multiple workstreams.

Work Model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States with some travel involved.

Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs.

What you must have to be considered:

• 12+ years of experience leading large-scale healthcare payer transformation programs

• Deep functional expertise in payer operations (claims, provider, benefits, enrollment, utilization management)

• Proven experience driving enterprise transformation programs across multi-vendor and multi-system environments

• Strong understanding of enterprise integration , data flows, and cross-functional impacts across systems and operations

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, matrixed teams and influence senior stakeholders

• Exceptional communication skills with strong executive presence and stakeholder management capabilities

These will help you succeed:

• Experience leading national or multi-plan healthcare programs

• Exposure to payer core platforms such as FACETS, QNXT, HealthEdge , or similar

• Experience in digital transformation, modernization, or cloud initiatives

• Certifications such as PMP, SAFe , or equivalent

Compensation

$122,400-$194,000

This position is eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401(k) plan and contributions

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Employee assistance program

• 10 paid holidays plus PTO

• Paid parental leave and fertility assistance

• Learning and development certifications and programs

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.