Director Utilization Management

The Director of Utilization Management is a strategic clinical operations leader responsible for delivering operational oversight for Utilization Management (UM) teams. This high-impact leader ensures the delivery of medically necessary, cost-effective, and high-quality care through evidence-based UM processes that fully comply with CMS, NYSDOH, and contractual requirements. The Director drives clinical and operational excellence across the team responsible for all UM functions, including prior authorizations, concurrent reviews, and service requests. The incumbent is also accountable for enabling process improvement and modernization initiatives to automate workflows, integrate AI-enabled decision support, and streamline prior authorization and concurrent review. As a member of the UM leadership team, the Director is involved in organizational planning, innovation, and policy leadership.

Duties//Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to UM leaders and teams executing department functions including prior authorizations, concurrent reviews, and service requests
• Develop strong operational and leadership capabilities within the organization through performance improvement, career development, and coaching
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with industry standards, payer guidelines, and regulatory requirements
• Deliver on Healthfirst’s Mission by ensuring optimum quality of member care in a cost-effective manner
• Ensure UM operations meet regulatory requirements set forth by CMS, New York State Department of Health (DOH), and other oversight entities
• Develop and monitor appropriate metrics to maintain and improve department performance
• Collect, analyze, and report on utilization trends, patterns, and impacts to identify areas for improvement
• Lead initiatives to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality in the UM program, sometimes through the implementation of new technology
• Serve as the operational subject matter expert on business development efforts related to UM programs, including the launch of new products or regulatory initiatives
• Collaborate closely with other Operations leaders including but not limited to Care Management, Clinical Eligibility, Behavioral Health, and Appeals and Grievances teams to align utilization decisions
• Partner with technology and data teams to refine data governance and reporting, inform AI use cases, and performance monitoring frameworks
• Support organizational change management for UM modernization efforts, fostering engagement, communication, and adoption of new technologies or processes
• Advocate and actively participate as the clinical voice on various clinical committees and other clinical policy workgroups
• Additional duties as assigned
  
  

MinimumQualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare, business, or a related field from an accredited institution or equivalent work experience
• Progressive leadership experience in healthcare management including work experience in a mid-senior management role
• Work experience and deep familiarity of health plans such as Medicare, Medicaid and//or Managed Long-Term Care Plan (MLTCP).
• Demonstrated understanding of UM regulatory requirements, clinical review process, and managed care operations
• Work experience interpreting and operationalizing regulatory updates and guidance from DOH and CMS.
• Work experience demonstrating written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels and functions.
• Demonstrated success driving high performance and quality outcomes in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in health-related area
• Proven ability to lead complex teams and manage interdisciplinary care models in a health plan or integrated delivery system
• Work experience using Milliman Care Guidelines (MCG) criteria and other state-specific authorization requirements.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline and capacity for executive-level decision-making
• Experience working as a case manager for a long-term care programs such as PACE, MAP or MLTC.
• Strong computer skills, including, but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline and capacity for executive-level decision-making Compliance & Regulatory Responsibilities: Noted Above License//Certification: N//A
  
  
  
  

Hiring Range*:

• Greater New York City Area (NY, NJ, CT residents): $150,800 - $230,690
• All Other Locations (within approved locations): $124,400 - $190,315 As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, licenses and certifications, and any other factors Healthfirst deems pertinent to the hiring decision. In addition to your salary, Healthfirst offers employees a full range of benefits such as, medical, dental and vision coverage, incentive and recognition programs, life insurance, and 401k contributions (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Healthfirst believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package wherever its employees work and live.
• The hiring range is defined as the lowest and highest salaries that Healthfirst in “good faith” would pay to a new hire, or for a job promotion, or transfer into this role.