Certification Lead

Maximus is seeking an experienced Certification Lead to guide and manage the end-to-end CMS certification process for a large-scale Medicaid IT implementation. This role is critical to achieving CMS certification approval and will serve as the primary point of accountability for certification readiness, planning, execution, and stakeholder coordination. This is a remote position with frequent travel to the greater St. Louis, MO area during implementation. This position is contingent upon contract award. Benefits Work/life balance support – flexibility tailored to your needs. Competitive compensation – bonuses based on performance included. Comprehensive insurance coverage – medical, dental, vision, prescription, and partially funded HSA, plus life insurance benefits and discounts on auto, home, renter's, and pet insurance. Future planning – 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching. Unlimited time off package – UTO, holidays, extended sick leave, short and long-term disability coverage. Holistic wellness support – access resources for physical, emotional, and financial wellness through an employee assistance program. Recognition platform – acknowledgement and appreciation for outstanding employee contributions. Tuition reimbursement – investment in ongoing education and development. Employee perks and discounts – additional benefits and discounts exclusively for employees. Maximus wellness program and resources – access a range of wellness programs and resources tailored to your needs. Professional development opportunities – participate in training programs, workshops, and conferences. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Apply business process improvement practices to re‑engineer methodologies/principles and business process modernization projects. Assist in the application of activity and data modeling, transaction flow analysis, internal control and risk analysis, modern business methods, and performance measurement techniques. Assist in establishing standards for information systems procedures. Develop solutions to a variety of complex problems. Develop and apply organization-wide information models for use in designing and building integrated shared software and database management systems and data warehouses. Follow information management guiding principles, cost savings, and open system architecture objectives. Lead and manage the full CMS certification lifecycle, from planning through approval. Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive CMS Certification Readiness Plan. Create and manage the Certification Plan and supporting documentation. Prepare for and support Operational Readiness Reviews (ORR) and Certification Reviews (CR). Develop and manage operational and certification metrics in alignment with current CMS guidance. Serve as the primary liaison with the state Medicaid agency, CMS, and other stakeholders throughout certification activities. Oversee implementation phases to ensure certification readiness and alignment with project plans. Facilitate periodic Certification Progress Report cycles and executive-level updates. Ensure accurate documentation, audit readiness, and compliance with CMS IT certification standards. Requirements Bachelors degree in a related field. 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience; equivalent combination of education and experience considered. A minimum of five years of experience in Medicaid or government healthcare. Minimum of three years experience in CMS certification process. Demonstrated experience leading CMS certification efforts through full approval. Hands-on experience with current CMS IT certification standards and guidance. Proven experience supporting IT system implementations for state Medicaid agencies. Strong understanding of Medicaid enterprise systems and CMS oversight processes. Ability to manage complex timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional dependencies. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting. Preferred Requirements Experience supporting multiple CMS certifications or large-scale public sector IT programs. Prior experience working directly with CMS reviewers and state Medicaid leadership. Familiarity with operational metric reporting and federal compliance audits. Home Office Requirements Internet speed of 20 Mbps or higher. Connectivity to the internet via Wi-Fi or Category 5 or 6 Ethernet patch cable to the home router. Must currently and permanently reside in the continental United States. Maximus is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. #J-18808-Ljbffr Maximus