Vice President/Executive Director, Federal Medicaid Practice

About the role

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

As a national leader in evidence-based decision-making, Mathematica builds on its extensive knowledge of programs and policies to design and implement solutions built on high quality data, supported by deep understanding of programs and policies, and customized for clients’ needs. Driven by its mission, Mathematica finds ways to improve the quality, efficiency, affordability, and financing of health care, and to promote sound decision-making in care delivery and financing, quality measures and health systems change.

Mathematica also works to address longstanding issues in health care, such as measuring and improving health care quality, controlling health care costs, and designing efficient and effective delivery systems to meet diverse needs. We seek a department director for our Federal Medicaid Department (either at the Executive Director or Vice President level), a mature market, providing advisory services to the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission (MACPAC) and numerous other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offices and agencies.

The department leader will drive results and deepen relationships with CMS and other Federal agencies working with the Medicaid program, as well as provide support and guidance to our State Medicaid group. The position reports to the Senior Vice President of our Federal Payors and Delivery Transformation (FPDT) division.

Mathematica’s current Federal Medicaid practice is approximately 180 people supporting programs such as 1115 waiver technical assistance, Medicaid data quality and analytics, and technical assistance to states on a variety of policy and operational issues. Within other agencies, we also provide support on evaluation of Medicaid program effectiveness, substance use policy and use of Medicaid data for analytic purposes.

The executive should have substantial Medicaid policy and strategy experience, and significant consulting experience at either the Federal or state levels. The executive should have a track record and demonstrated ability to build a consulting practice and lead groups of professionals in a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Mathematica is seeking someone who can continue to expand an existing and well-respected practice, and be a business leader in both policy and digital services as Medicaid data and systems evolve.

The ideal candidate will provide strategy and operational oversight to help Mathematica win and execute complex, high profile engagements, serving as a partner to CMS and other Federal agencies. In addition, the executive will develop relationships with the Vice President for State Health, and state health business development team to provide subject matter support, collaborate on overlapping policy issues, and resolve potential conflicts of interest.

In addition, the executive will possess a comfort level operating with other stakeholders and executives in the healthcare environment to externally represent Mathematica and the FPDT Division offerings. This person will establish trust and respect with clients through their superior content knowledge across a broad range of complex issues.

Required Qualifications

• MPH, MBA, or other graduate degree in a relevant area of study is preferred but not required. Added plus if the candidate is a PhD, M.D. or J.D.
• 15+ years relevant health sector work experience, strong preference given to leading Medicaid policy and programs at the Federal or State level, either for government or in private sector consulting.
• Experience in the federal or state proposal processes, positioning for proposals, leading processes, developing budgets and teaming with other organizations, or evaluating proposals.
• Visionary, strategic leader with solid understanding of Medicaid policy and operations, and broader healthcare industry trends.
• Collaborative approach and ability to lead through influence within a highly matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated abilities in the following: data analysis, healthcare strategy development, communication skills, analytical skills, tech enablement and group facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, decision making, strong strategic thinking/systems skills, and relationship management skills including the ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Models and reinforces ethical behavior in self and others, emphasizing the Mathematica culture of collaboration, collegiality, and accountability to colleagues and commitment to client.
• Admits mistakes; conducts business with honesty; shows consistency in words and actions; follows through on commitments.
• Experience delivering high quality work.

Executive Director Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience leading strategic initiatives, operational improvements, or large programs.
• Demonstrated experience reconciling staffing needs, managing recruitment targets, and supporting staff development within a growing or evolving organization.
• Experience directing complex projects or portfolios of work and ensuring successful delivery against organizational goals.

Vice President Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience managing or directing large teams or multiple organizational units.
• Demonstrated comfort with enterprise-level oversight, including P&L management, financial accountability, and operational performance.
• Experience setting organizational strategy and translating it into operational execution across multiple teams or programs.