Lead Consultant – Medicaid

Maximus; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Maximus seeks a Lead Consultant - Medicaid to lead advisory engagements with state Medicaid agencies, guiding strategy and policy initiatives across operations, reform, and performance measurement.

You will drive engagements from scoping to delivery, partner with BD and delivery teams, and mentor consulting staff while shaping go-to-market strategies in the Medicaid domain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study; 7+ years of senior-level Medicaid experience.
• Advanced degree in public policy, public administration, healthcare administration, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Policy & Regulatory Analysis – evaluate the impact of policy changes on program operations and strategy.
• Program Design & Reform – support design, modernization, and implementation of complex public programs.
• Financial & Performance Consulting – conduct financial and operational reviews, including funding models and cost reporting.
• Program Operations & Transformation – advise on improving administration, service delivery, and enrollment.
• Quality & Outcomes Analysis – assess and enhance program performance and accountability.

Skills

Executive communication

Leadership

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in public policy/public administration/healthcare

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Consultant - Medicaid to lead advisory engagements with state and local Medicaid agencies. This role focuses on management consulting services and serves as a trusted advisor to Medicaid clients or potential clients, leads consultative discussions that shape client strategy, and is accountable for converting those discussions into successful consulting engagements. This role also plays a key role in responding to consulting focused Medicaid procurements and collaborates closely with internal delivery, business development (BD), sales, and capture teams. This role requires current Medicaid Consulting experience as a project leader.

Strategic Operational and Policy Support

The Lead Consultant - Medicaid will provide strategic operational and policy support to states. Consulting services may include:

• Policy & Legislative Analysis - Evaluate and assess the impact of and compliance with state and federal legislation on program operations and strategy.

• Program Design & Reform - Assist the Medicaid agency in creating and implementing Medicaid reform initiatives, including Section 1115 demonstrations.

• Financial Consulting - Assist the state with financial reviews including but not limited to review of managed care and provider cost reporting.

• Program Operations - Advise states on improvements in eligibility, enrollment, and customer service systems.

• Quality Performance Analysis - Assess and improve care quality, including care delivered through managed care delivery systems.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Lead Consultant provides strategic operational, policy, and program advisory support to public‑sector clients. Consulting services may include:

• Policy & Regulatory Analysis - Evaluate and assess the operational, financial, and strategic impact of federal and state policy, regulatory, and legislative changes.

• Program Design & Reform - Support clients in the design, modernization, and implementation of complex public programs and reform initiatives.

• Financial & Performance Consulting - Conduct financial and operational reviews, including funding models, cost reporting, and program sustainability analyses.

• Program Operations & Transformation - Advise clients on improving program administration, service delivery, eligibility/enrollment processes, and customer experience.

• Quality & Outcomes Analysis - Assess and enhance program performance, quality outcomes, and accountability frameworks across delivery models.

Client Advisory & Thought Partnership

• Serve as a senior advisor to executive‑level leaders within public‑sector organizations on strategy, governance, oversight, and operational improvement.

• Apply deep knowledge of public policy, regulatory frameworks, and government operations to guide client initiatives.

• Advise clients on business process redesign, program readiness, risk management, and performance improvement.

• Build long‑term, trusted relationships with senior government leaders and stakeholders.

• Deliver actionable, credible recommendations grounded in policy, operational, and financial expertise.

Consulting Engagement Leadership

• Lead consulting engagements from initial advisory discussions through scoping, execution, and delivery.

• Develop workplans, governance structures, and objective deliverables aligned to client needs.

• Provide senior oversight to ensure delivery quality, manage risk, and maintain high client satisfaction.

• Identify, recruit, and oversee consulting team members to support engagements.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to strengthen go‑to‑market strategies and expand advisory offerings.

• Support business development efforts, including proposal development, win strategies, and executive presentations.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with internal delivery teams supporting client operations and services.

• Coordinate across consulting, delivery, business development, and executive leadership to present an integrated advisory presence.

• Contribute to market‑facing thought leadership that reinforces organizational credibility and expertise.

Client Advisory & Thought Partnership

• Lead executive-level conversations with state and local Medicaid agencies on program strategy, operational improvement, governance, and oversight.

• Apply deep knowledge of federal Medicaid policies and regulations to support and guide client initiatives.

• Advise clients on topics including business process redesign, program readiness, risk management, and performance improvement.

• Build long‑term, trusted relationships with Medicaid directors, deputy directors, program leaders, and other state and local staff.

• Leverage deep expertise in Medicaid policy, federal regulations, and state operations to deliver actionable, credible recommendations.

Consulting Engagement Leadership

• Manage consulting engagements that result from advisory discussions, from initial scoping through delivery and client outcomes.

• Develop consulting workplans, governance structures, and deliverables that are objective, independent, and aligned to client needs.

• Provide senior oversight to ensure delivery quality, manage risk, and maintain strong client satisfaction.

• Recruit team members to support Medicaid consulting opportunities.

• Partner with internal stakeholders on joint Medicaid consulting and operational opportunities to strengthen go‑to‑market strategies.

• Partner with Business Development, Sales, and Capture teams to shape win strategies, value propositions, and client messaging.

• Participate in proposal reviews, oral presentations, and executive briefings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams already delivering Medicaid enrollment, eligibility, and operational services to state clients.

• Collaborate across consulting, delivery, BD, capture, and executive leadership to present a coordinated and credible Medicaid advisory presence.

• Contribute to market-facing thought leadership that reinforces the organization’s position as a trusted Medicaid consulting partner.

Minimum Requirements

'- Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study and 7+ years of relevant professional experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

'- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, public administration, healthcare administration, or a related field preferred.

• 7+ years of hands‑on experience working in senior‑level positions for state Medicaid programs and/or consulting to state Medicaid programs.

• Demonstrated experience leading or advising on Medicaid consulting engagements.

• Proven ability to engage credibly with senior Medicaid executives and agency leadership.

• Solid understanding of federal and state law and rules governing the Medicaid program as well as Medicaid financing.

• Experience supporting or leading responses to consulting‑focused Medicaid procurements.

• Strong executive communication, facilitation, and relationship‑building skills.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience in organizations that provide both consulting and operational Medicaid services, with an understanding of independence and role boundaries.

• Experience with MITA, CMS requirements, and certification frameworks (MECT, MEET, SMC).

Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

Minimum Salary

$145,000

Maximum Salary

$165,000