Director Strategic Initiatives

The Elevance Health Companies, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Elevance Health Companies, Inc. is seeking a Director of Strategic Initiatives to partner with senior leadership across Health Benefits Operations. You will drive enterprise-level planning, executive communications, performance management, and cross-functional coordination for a broad portfolio.

Strong strategic thinking and data synthesis are essential. You will lead planning cycles, identify opportunities, and guide special projects with executive stakeholders, while coaching teams and

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and 10+ years of experience including 5 years of project management and 5 years as health analyst or health staffer in the legislative community.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate annual business planning, including capital readiness and cross-functional inputs.
• Conduct in-depth strategic research to support senior leadership decisions.
• Coordinate executive-level planning, engagements, travel agendas, and meeting prep.
• Partner with the COO Office to align priorities, governance, and execution.
• Manage cross-functional work with culture, talent, and strategy teams.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Executive Communication

Data Synthesis

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

Director Strategic Initiatives

Anticipated End Date: 2026-10-23

Position Title: Director Strategic Initiatives

Job Description: Director Strategic Initiatives Location: This role requires associates to be in-office 3 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support productivity and work-life balance. This approach combines structured office engagement with the autonomy of virtual work, promoting a dynamic and adaptable workplace. Alternate locations may be considered if candidates reside within a commuting distance from an office. Please note that per our policy on hybrid/virtual work, candidates not within a reasonable commuting distance from the posting location(s) will not be considered for employment, unless accommodation is granted as required by law.

The Director Strategic Initiatives will serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership within the Health Benefits Operations organization. This role will help drive enterprise-level planning, executive communications, performance management, and operational coordination across a broad and highly visible portfolio. Will bring strong executive presence, sound business judgment, and the ability to synthesize data, operational priorities, and strategic messaging into clear, polished deliverables for senior audiences. Will also be responsible for identifying internal and external opportunities and partnering strategies for a Strategic Business Unit.

How you will make an impact:

• Annual Business Planning: Lead and coordinate planning cycles, including capital readiness activities, business planning deliverables, and cross-functional inputs needed to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Conduct in-depth strategic research.
• Operational Coordination: Support executive-level planning and coordination, including leadership engagements, travel agendas, operating rhythms, meeting preparation, and follow-up actions.
• Office of the COO Partnership: Serve as a central partner to the Office of the COO, ensuring alignment across leadership priorities, governance routines, communications, and operational execution.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with a companion director role focused on culture, communications, and talent strategy to ensure cohesive execution across strategy, people, planning, and engagement priorities.
• Participates in optimizing strategic initiatives and planning through challenges to cost/benefit investments that involve significant monetary investments and that support key strategic direction to the SBU.
• Analyzes, researches and develops complex materials and documents relating to health issues.
• Prepares white papers on select healthcare topics including presentation support materials such as graphic presentations and talk points for executive officers.
• Serves as project manager for special projects as directed by executive management.
• Works with Corporate Strategic Planning to ensure that the SBU is appropriately coordinated with the corporate strategies.
• Hires, trains, coaches, counsels, and evaluate performance of direct reports.

Minimum Requirements:

Requires a BA/BS degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience including 5 years of project management experience and 5 years of related experience as a health analyst or health staffer in the legislative community; or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.

Preferred Skills, Capabilities and Experiences:

• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives or operating in a highly visible strategy, business planning, operations, or Chief of Staff-style capacity is strongly preferred.