Payer Strategy & AI Transformation — Associate Partner

Cognizant

Chicago (IL)

Hybrid

USD 180,000 - 218,000

Full time

15 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision and life insur

401(k) plan and contributions

Employee stock purchase plan

Employee assistance program

10 paid holidays plus PTO

Paid parental leave and fertility (ass

Job summary

Cognizant seeks an Associate Partner in Healthcare Consulting with deep payer-domain expertise to shape executive agendas into actionable payer strategies and lead discovery, workshops, and executive-ready roadmaps.

You will orchestrate multi-workstream engagements, manage governance, risk, and financials, and drive revenue and margin growth while advancing automation and AI-enabled payer transformations for top clients.

Qualifications

15+ years of healthcare consulting experience, with 5+ years leading complex payer-focused engagements.
Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, MPH).
Strong understanding of payer business models, operating processes, and regulatory landscape.
Proven ability to lead executive-level discussions and influence senior stakeholders.
Exceptional ability to synthesize complex information into clear, decision-oriented communication, using structured and visually compelling narratives.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic discussions on payer transformation topics such as digital modernization, data and analytics, AI/GenAI adoption, interoperability, and regulatory change.
Frame ambiguous and complex payer problems into structured narratives, options, and recommendations that support executive decision-making.
Present insights and recommendations with strong executive presence and clarity.
Lead large, multi-workstream engagements spanning strategy, process, data, and technology.
Oversee engagement governance, scope, financials, and risk management.
Ensure high-quality, insight-driven deliverables that reflect consulting rigor and payer realities.
Partner with technology and implementation teams to translate strategy into executable roadmaps and outcomes.
Be accountable for Revenue and Margin targets for assigned portfolio accounts.
Drive growth through solution shaping, proposal leadership, and expansion of existing payer client relationships.
Develop and package consulting offerings aligned to payer priorities, including automation, AI-enabled workflows, and compliance-driven change.