Senior Government Consultant - Systems & Encounter Specialist

About the role

As a Senior Government Consultant – Systems and Encounters Specialist, you will play a vital role as a core team member providing expert insights on complex projects for clients, which are primarily state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies and related state agencies responsible for Medicaid and CHIP fee-for-service and managed care programs. This can be based anywhere near a Mercer office and offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Responsibilities

• Learn and analyze how systems and processes function across different information technology domains
• Lead and support structured assessments and audits of systems and data (Information Systems Capabilities Assessments (ISCA) and Encounter Data Validation (EDV)) and document findings with clarity and precision
• Lead and contribute to client deliverables, presentations, and project documentation with increasing ownership over time
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand how regulatory requirements translate into system and data processes
• Continuously build expertise in healthcare system, data structures, and regulatory requirements
• Ask intellectually curious questions to support data-driven projects and structured assessments
• Document observations, findings and recommendations for improvements when needed
• Analyze, validate, and troubleshoot encounter data across multiple systems to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Become a trusted contributor on project teams by delivering accurate, timely, and insightful analysis
• Engage and collaborate with stakeholders, including Medicaid leadership, providers, and beneficiaries, to gather feedback and inform program recommendations
• Manage the quality and timeliness of client deliverables, communicating regularly and effectively with project teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (Information Systems, Computer Science, Healthcare Administration, Data Analytics, or related field)
• 3+ years of experience with healthcare systems, data and system analysis, or consulting
• Knowledge of Medicaid policies, regulations, and program operations
• Understanding and experience working with healthcare data systems, including encounter data, claims systems, or EHR platforms
• Familiarity with data quality assessment, validation techniques, and reconciliation processes
• Understanding of Medicaid, Medicare, or other government healthcare programs
• Knowledge of encounter data submission processes and regulatory requirements
• Familiarity with managed care organizations (MCOs) or state healthcare systems
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
• Ability to translate technical findings into clear, client-friendly insights
• Experience working in a consulting, client-facing, or project-based environment
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with encounter data in Medicaid or managed care environments
• Exposure to system implementation or migration projects
• Ability to bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present findings to non-technical audiences
• Experience working with CMS, state Medicaid agencies, or healthcare consulting
• Strategic mindset with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging Medicaid leadership, providers, and beneficiaries

Benefits

• Health and welfare benefits
• Tuition assistance
• 401K savings and other retirement programs
• Employee assistance programs

Pay

The applicable base salary range for this role is $88,000 to $176,000. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.

Schedule

Hybrid work arrangement requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office. Office-based teams will identify at least one "anchor day" per week on which their full team will be together in person.