Consulting Principal- Program Director, Healthcare (Payer)

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