Director, Utilization Management

Healthfirst; Layton (UT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) contributions

Job summary

Healthfirst seeks a Director of Utilization Management to lead clinical operations, delivering strategic and operational oversight for UM teams, including prior authorizations, concurrent reviews, and service requests, ensuring medically necessary, cost-efficient care in line with CMS and payer requirements.

This transformational leader will shape policies, monitor performance metrics, and drive modernization within the UM program, collaborating with Care Management, Clinical Eligibility,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare, business, or a related field.
• Progressive healthcare leadership experience.
• Experience with Medicare/Medicaid or MLTC.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to UM leaders and teams for prior authorizations, concurrent reviews, and service requests.
• Develop policies aligning with payer guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor metrics and utilization trends to drive improvements.
• Collaborate with other operations leaders and technology/data teams.

Skills

Healthcare leadership

Regulatory compliance

Healthcare management

Change management

Data analysis

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Milliman Care Guidelines (MCG)

Job description

The Director of Utilization Management is a transformational clinical operations leader responsible for delivering strategic and operational oversight for Utilization Management (UM) teams. This high-impact forward-thinking leader drives clinical and operational excellence across all UM functions, including prior authorizations, concurrent reviews, and service requests while ensuring the delivery of medically necessary, cost-effective, and high-quality care in full compliance with CMS, NYSDOH, and contractual requirements.

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.
• 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 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.

Qualifications

• 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 a mid-senior management role.
• Work experience and deep familiarity with 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.
• Experience interpreting and operationalizing regulatory updates and guidance from DOH and CMS.
• Excellent 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 a health-related area.
• Proven ability to lead complex teams and manage interdisciplinary care models in a health plan or integrated delivery system.
• 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 program such as PACE, MAP or MLTC.
• Strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Compliance & Regulatory Responsibilities

Noted above.

Equal Opportunity Employer

HF Management Services, LLC complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, height and weight, familial status, marital status, or unemployment status, as well as any other legally protected basis. HF Management Services, LLC shall not discriminate against any disabled employee or applicant in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant is otherwise qualified. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disability Act or a similar law and want a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us by sending an email to [e-mail] or calling 212-519-1798. In your email please include a description of the accommodation you are requesting and a description of the position for which you are applying.

Benefits

Full range of benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, incentive and recognition programs, life insurance, and 401(k) contributions (subject to eligibility requirements).