Associate Director, Clinical Review Team (MAU)

University-of-Illinoi; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 122,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago is seeking an Associate Director, Clinical Review Team/MAU in Chicago to provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for the Medicaid Advisory Unit. You will translate complex Medicaid policies into actionable workflows, lead cross-functional program activities, and ensure compliance and high-quality review standards.

The role requires strong leadership, program oversight across service lines, and collaboration with internal leaders and state agencies

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, clinical laboratory science, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of healthcare operations or clinical program management experience.
• Experience supervising staff and managing team performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with policy interpretation.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and management of clinical review programs and workflows.
• Translate Medicaid policies into programmatic guidance and procedures.
• Set goals, metrics, and quality standards; monitor outcomes.
• Direct day-to-day operations across multiple initiatives.
• Provide supervision and professional development for staff.
• Interpret Medicaid policies and advise leadership on implications.
• Engage with state agencies and external partners as needed.
• Oversee data analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Staff supervision

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration/public health/nursing/clinical lab science

Master’s degree in healthcare administration/public health/MBA

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

Associate Director, Clinical Review Team (MAU)

Chicago, IL, United States

|

1041615

Posted on: 9/22/2026 - Application Deadline: 10/7/2026

Associate Director, ClinicalReview Team/MAU

Hiring Department: Departmentof Medicine/Medicaid Advisory Unit

Location: Chicago

Requisition ID: 1041615

Posting Close Date: 10/07/2026

Salary:The budgeted salary range for theposition is $122,000 to $134,000.00.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Position Summary
The Associate Director provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for the Clinical Review Team within the Medicaid Advisory Unit (MAU) in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. This role exercises a high level of independent judgment in the development, implementation, and oversight of clinical review operations, program workflows, and policy-aligned initiatives supporting the Illinois Medicaid program.

Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director serves as a key leader responsible for translating complex Medicaid policies into actionable clinical and operational processes. The position directs program activities across multiple service lines, ensures consistency and quality in clinical review standards, and drives continuous process improvement.

The Associate Director also serves as a primary liaison with internal leadership, state agency partners, and external stakeholders, and is accountable for program performance, compliance, and staff management. This position may act on behalf of the Director in assigned areas of responsibility.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Program Leadership and Strategy Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of clinical review programs and operational workflows aligned with Medicaid policy and organizational priorities Exercise independent judgment in translating federal and state Medicaid policies into programmatic guidance and operational procedures Establish program goals, performance metrics, and quality standards; monitor outcomes and implement improvements as needed Identify strategic opportunities for process enhancement and operational efficiencies across programs
• Operational Oversight and Decision-Making Direct day-to-day program operations across multiple initiatives, ensuring timely, high-quality execution
• Independently evaluate and resolve complex clinical, operational, and policy-related issues Develop and implement standardized workflows and protocols to ensure consistency across clinical review activities Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies
• Supervision and Staff Development Provide additional supervision to clinical, administrative, and/or program staff, including onboarding, performance management, and professional development, as delegated by the Director. Establish clear expectations and accountability structures to ensure high performance and responsiveness Mentor staff and support the development of subject matter expertise across the team
• Clinical and Policy Interpretation Serve as a subject matter expert in healthcare operations and clinical review, providing guidance on complex cases and programmatic questions Interpret and apply Medicaid policies, reimbursement methodologies, and utilization review standardsProvide recommendations to leadership on policy implications, program direction, and operational considerations
• Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations Maintain regular contact and visibility with state agencies (e.g., HFS), clinical partners, and other stakeholders Lead or participate in meetings with external entities to represent programmatic interests and provide expert guidance Facilitate alignment across clinical, administrative, and policy stakeholders
• Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement Oversee data analysis, reporting, and performance tracking to inform decision-making and program improvements Lead quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives Ensure effective use of data systems and reporting tools to support program operations
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

The Medicaid Advisory Unit in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago is seeking an Associate Director providesstrategic, operational, and clinical leadership for the Clinical Review Team within the Medicaid Advisory Unit (MAU) in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. This role exercises a high level of independentjudgment in the development, implementation, and oversight of clinical review operations, program workflows, and policy-aligned initiatives supporting the Illinois Medicaid program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, clinical laboratory science, or a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare operations, clinical program management, utilization review, or a related area
• Demonstrated experience leading programs, projects, or operational initiatives with independent decision-making authority
• Experience supervising staff and managing team performance
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret complex policies and apply them in operational settings
• Experience working with healthcare data, reporting, and performance metrics
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Associate Director, ClinicalReview Team/MAU

Hiring Department: Departmentof Medicine/Medicaid Advisory Unit

Location: Chicago

Requisition ID: 1041615

Posting Close Date: 10/07/2026

Salary:The budgeted salary range for theposition is $122,000 to $134,000.00.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Position Summary
The Associate Director provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for the Clinical Review Team within the Medicaid Advisory Unit (MAU) in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. This role exercises a high level of independent judgment in the development, implementation, and oversight of clinical review operations, program workflows, and policy-aligned initiatives supporting the Illinois Medicaid program.

Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director serves as a key leader responsible for translating complex Medicaid policies into actionable clinical and operational processes. The position directs program activities across multiple service lines, ensures consistency and quality in clinical review standards, and drives continuous process improvement.

The Associate Director also serves as a primary liaison with internal leadership, state agency partners, and external stakeholders, and is accountable for program performance, compliance, and staff management. This position may act on behalf of the Director in assigned areas of responsibility.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Program Leadership and Strategy Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of clinical review programs and operational workflows aligned with Medicaid policy and organizational priorities Exercise independent judgment in translating federal and state Medicaid policies into programmatic guidance and operational procedures Establish program goals, performance metrics, and quality standards; monitor outcomes and implement improvements as needed Identify strategic opportunities for process enhancement and operational efficiencies across programs
• Operational Oversight and Decision-Making Direct day-to-day program operations across multiple initiatives, ensuring timely, high-quality execution
• Independently evaluate and resolve complex clinical, operational, and policy-related issues Develop and implement standardized workflows and protocols to ensure consistency across clinical review activities Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies
• Supervision and Staff Development Provide additional supervision to clinical, administrative, and/or program staff, including onboarding, performance management, and professional development, as delegated by the Director. Establish clear expectations and accountability structures to ensure high performance and responsiveness Mentor staff and support the development of subject matter expertise across the team
• Clinical and Policy Interpretation Serve as a subject matter expert in healthcare operations and clinical review, providing guidance on complex cases and programmatic questions Interpret and apply Medicaid policies, reimbursement methodologies, and utilization review standardsProvide recommendations to leadership on policy implications, program direction, and operational considerations
• Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations Maintain regular contact and visibility with state agencies (e.g., HFS), clinical partners, and other stakeholders Lead or participate in meetings with external entities to represent programmatic interests and provide expert guidance Facilitate alignment across clinical, administrative, and policy stakeholders
• Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement Oversee data analysis, reporting, and performance tracking to inform decision-making and program improvements Lead quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives Ensure effective use of data systems and reporting tools to support program operations
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

The Medicaid Advisory Unit in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago is seeking an Associate Director providesstrategic, operational, and clinical leadership for the Clinical Review Team within the Medicaid Advisory Unit (MAU) in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. This role exercises a high level of independentjudgment in the development, implementation, and oversight of clinical review operations, program workflows, and policy-aligned initiatives supporting the Illinois Medicaid program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, clinical laboratory science, or a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare operations, clinical program management, utilization review, or a related area
• Demonstrated experience leading programs, projects, or operational initiatives with independent decision-making authority
• Experience supervising staff and managing team performance
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret complex policies and apply them in operational settings
• Experience working with healthcare data, reporting, and performance metrics
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in healthcare administration (MHA), public health (MPH), business administration (MBA), or a related field
• Clinical credential (e.g., RN, MLS, or equivalent) or significant clinical operations experience
• Experience with Medicaid policy, reimbursement structures, and/or utilization management
• Experience working with or supporting state agencies or large healthcare systems
• Experience managing multi-functional teams or complex program portfolios

• Bachelor’sdegree in healthcare administration, public health, nursing, clinicallaboratory science, or a related field
• Minimumof five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in healthcareoperations, clinical program management, utilization review, or a related area
• Demonstratedexperience leading programs, projects, or operational initiatives withindependent decision-making authority
• Experiencesupervising staff and managing team performance
• Stronganalytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpretcomplex policies and apply them in operational settings
• Experienceworking with healthcare data, reporting, and performance metrics
• Excellentcommunication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with internaland external stakeholders

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, covid sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.