Head of Programme Management

Affordability Program Manager I/II/III (Finance)

The Affordability Program Manager serves as a strategic implementation leader responsible for advancing affordability initiatives from intake through implementation, operationalization, and value realization. This role partners across business, analytics, operations, technology, clinical, provider, pharmacy, and vendor teams to ensure affordability opportunities are effectively evaluated, designed, implemented, and measured. The Program Manager translates affordability opportunities into executable plans, identifies implementation risks and dependencies, facilitates decision-making, and drives accountability across stakeholders to achieve intended outcomes. The incumbent uses strong program management, business process, analytical, and stakeholder leadership skills to effectively partner with technical teams on data, reporting, and system integration considerations.

Leads intake and evaluation activities for assigned affordability initiatives including investigating feasibility across operational and regulatory SMEs.

Partners with business leaders and initiative sponsors to define objectives, scope, assumptions, success measures, and implementation requirements.

Leads discovery activities to assess operational impacts, data requirements, reporting needs, implementation complexity, and organizational readiness.

Defines and documents business requirements, workflows, business processes, implementation assumptions, and operational considerations.

Collaborates with analytics, technology, operations, and vendor partners to translate business objectives into actionable implementation plans.

Identifies risks, dependencies, resource needs, and implementation barriers and drives mitigation strategies.

Develops and maintains initiative plans, implementation timelines, milestone tracking, and readiness assessments.

Supports prioritization of minimum viable solutions and phased implementation approaches to accelerate value realization.

Coordinates testing, validation, implementation readiness, deployment, and operational transition activities as needed.

Develops executive updates, status reports, implementation summaries, and governance materials.

Maintains accountability for initiative deliverables, stakeholder commitments, and implementation outcomes.

Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.

Performs other functions as assigned by management.

Owns intake, feasibility assessment, business solution planning, and implementation readiness activities for complex affordability initiatives.

Leads large cross-functional implementations involving business, operational, analytic, technology, and vendor stakeholders.

Evaluates operational, technical, financial, and organizational impacts associated with proposed initiatives.

Drives alignment among stakeholders with competing priorities and facilitates resolution of implementation barriers.

Identifies data, reporting, integration, operational, and process risks early in the initiative lifecycle and develops mitigation plans.

Leads vendor evaluations, implementation planning, system onboarding, and deployment activities.

Serves as the primary implementation advisor and point of coordination between affordability leadership and delivery teams.

Presents recommendations, implementation strategies, and risk assessments to divisional leadership.

Drives adoption, operational integration, and change management efforts associated with new programs and capabilities.

Develops and promotes implementation best practices, frameworks, and repeatable delivery methodologies.

Serves as the organization's subject matter expert for affordability implementation strategy, operational readiness, and execution excellence.

Provides consultation to senior leadership regarding initiative design, implementation sequencing, organizational readiness, technology considerations, and execution risks.

Provides implementation feasibility assessments and operational recommendations to support portfolio prioritization and investment decisions.

Develops and recommends implementation standards, governance processes, and delivery frameworks supporting affordability initiatives.

Advises business and technology teams on implementation approaches, data requirements, reporting frameworks, operational design, and solution deployment strategies.

Develops implementation playbooks, readiness assessments, intake frameworks, value realization methodologies, and deployment standards.

Proactively identifies portfolio-level risks and recommends corrective actions to leadership.

Coaches and mentors program managers, project leaders, and implementation resources.

Represents affordability leadership in enterprise governance, investment, prioritization, and implementation forums.

NOTE: We include multiple levels of classification differentiated by demonstrated knowledge, skills, and the ability to manage increasingly independent and/or complex assignments, broader responsibility, additional decision making, and in some cases, becoming a resource to others. Minimum of three (3) years of healthcare program management, project management, implementation management, business analysis, operations, analytics, consulting, or related experience required.

Bachelor's degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Information Systems, Analytics, Public Health, Finance, or related field. PMP, PMI-ACP, Lean, Six Sigma, or related certification preferred.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and project management tools.

Ability to effectively partner with technical teams and understand concepts such as data flows, APIs, file exchanges, system interfaces, reporting dependencies, and technology implementation risks without requiring software development expertise.

Ability to translate business objectives into requirements, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.

Experience working on data-intensive or technology-enabled initiatives involving reporting, analytics, operational systems, data mapping, workflow automation, or vendor solutions.

Foundational understanding of data structures, reporting methodologies, data governance, and system implementation concepts.

Working knowledge of health plan operations and healthcare delivery systems.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Proven ability to communicate across technical and business audiences, solve data-related problems independently, and prioritize program objectives.

Five (5) years of healthcare program management, implementation leadership, affordability, business transformation, analytics, operations, consulting, or related experience required.

Strong understanding of health plan operations, analytics, provider, clinical, pharmacy, and operational functions.

Experience managing initiatives involving data integration, reporting development, vendor implementations, operational systems, or technology-enabled solutions.

Experience translating strategic objectives into executable implementation plans and operational outcomes.

Seven (7) years of healthcare program leadership, implementation strategy, affordability, business transformation, operations, analytics, consulting, or related experience required.

Deep understanding of health plan operations, provider economics, clinical programs, pharmacy management, analytics, and healthcare technology ecosystems.

Experience establishing governance structures, implementation frameworks, operational standards, and enterprise delivery methodologies.

Strong understanding of technology-enabled business transformation, including data ecosystems, reporting frameworks, vendor implementations, integration strategies, and operational deployment considerations.

Ability to work prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a workstation and working on a computer.

Ability to work while sitting and/or standing at a workstation viewing a computer and using a keyboard, mouse and/or phone for three (3) or more hours at a time.

Ability to work in a home office for continuous periods of time for business continuity.

Ability to travel across the Health Plan service region for meetings and/or trainings as needed.

The ability to hear, understand, and speak clearly while using a phone, with or without a headset.

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In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position.

Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position's minimum qualifications, in addition to internal equity. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

There may be opportunity for remote work within all jobs posted by the Excellus Talent Acquisition team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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