Principal Product Manager - Utilization Management

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota; Eagan (MN); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401k

PTO

Volunteer PTO

Job summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is seeking a Principal Product Manager to lead Utilization Management product strategy in Eagan, MN. You will guide Product Owners, coordinate across compliance, operations, clinical and business teams, and shape enterprise priorities for UM foundations and payments.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and experience in product lifecycle management with a data-driven approach.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of related project/program management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree; in lieu of a degree, an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted.
• Master’s degree in Informatics or Public Health preferred.
• UM experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and related practices.
• Direct people leadership experience with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to translate complex information into actionable messaging and drive alignment.
• Experience with agile methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira).
• Experience in data-driven decision-making and program management.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the product strategy and roadmap for Utilization Management products and capabilities.
• Provide leadership to Product Owners and cross-functional teams.
• Drive product lifecycle management activities and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Partner with stakeholders to set priorities and allocate resources.
• Ensure governance across UM foundations, payments, and compliance initiatives.

Skills

UM experience

Leadership

Agile methods

Stakeholder mgmt

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Jira

Mural

Job description

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, we are committed to paving the way for everyone to achieve their healthiest life. We are looking for dedicated and motivated individuals who share our vision of transforming healthcare. As a Blue Cross associate, you are joining a culture that is built on values of succeeding together, finding a better way, and doing the right thing. If you are ready to make a difference, join us.

The Impact You Will Have

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is hiring a Principal Product Manager supporting Utilization Management in Eagan, Minnesota. In this leadership role, you will help define and advance the strategy for key Utilization Management (UM) products and capabilities that support compliance, operational effectiveness, affordability, and quality outcomes. You will lead product lifecycle management efforts across critical business areas, ensuring strategic priorities are aligned with customer needs, organizational goals, and evolving industry requirements. This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise priorities, lead Product Owners and cross-functional teams, and shape the future direction of UM foundational capabilities, appropriate payments, and compliance initiatives. Success in this role requires a balance of strategic thinking, strong leadership, stakeholder partnership, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative culture while delivering meaningful business results.

What You’ll Do

• Co-lead the product strategy and roadmap for Utilization Management products and capabilities, aligning priorities to business objectives, operational performance, and customer needs.
• Provide leadership and direction to Product Owners and cross-functional teams while cultivating a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Drive product lifecycle management activities, including performance monitoring, strategic planning, and identification of opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Partner with stakeholders across compliance, operations, clinical, and business teams to establish priorities, manage resource allocation, and advance strategic initiatives.
• Ensure effective governance and oversight across UM foundations, appropriate payments, and compliance-related product initiatives while advancing long-term strategic outcomes.

How You’ll Do It

• Acts as voice of customer and evaluates existing products and competitor and industry data to improve existing market/product lines and make recommendations on new opportunities.
• Ensure presentations, communications, and implementation of all phases of product development are being done
• Reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations on actions for existing products.
• Investigates market opportunities and effect on market for existing and new products.
• Engage with Product Owners to help develop short-term and long-term Market/Product Strategy Roadmaps
• Determines customer needs and preferences through research and analysis of industry technology, current processes, and other methods.
• Responsible for supporting the Product Lifecycle Management process to monitor product performance (clinical, financial, and operational) across all markets, as well as a competitive analysis research for benefits, market and regional data and trends.
• Supports the development of short- and long-term strategic product promotions in support of market, sales, and profitability objectives.
• Establishes product development policies.
• Actively look for opportunities to create product innovation
• Accountable for highlighting strategic capabilities for Product/Business line and tracking current state vs future vision for the capability (Leading, Above Market, Market, Below Market & Missing).
• Provide input into funding needs to create, support or accelerate Market/Product line strategic growth or cost control outcomes.
• Performs additional responsibilities consistent with the scope and level of the role, as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

• 7+ years of related project/program management professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree; in lieu of a degree, an additional two years of relevant experience beyond the qualifications listed above may be accepted.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master's degree in a related field; Informatics or Public Health preferred.
• Demonstrated Utilization Management (UM) experience, with a strong understanding of UM operations, processes, and business priorities Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) experience.
• Direct people leadership experience with a demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive business outcomes.
• Ability to translate complex information into actionable messaging, actively listen to diverse perspectives, and drive alignment across cross-functional priorities.
• Ability to analyze complex challenges, evaluate tradeoffs, and collaborate with stakeholders to reach effective, lasting solutions.
• Ability to effectively organize work, balance shifting priorities, and manage time across multiple workstreams to meet commitments.
• Working knowledge of agile methodologies, techniques, and frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban.
• Experience with agile planning tools such as Jira and/or Mural.
• Experience in data-driven decision-making, program management, and process improvement with a strong focus on execution.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical teams to achieve product goals.

Licensure/Certifications

Preferred -
Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) - Relevant Issuer, Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) - Relevant Issuer, Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) - Project Management Institute (PMI), Large Scale Scrum (LeSS) - Relevant Issuer, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) - Scaled Agile Inc

Role Designation

Hybrid

Anchored in Connection

Our hybrid approach is designed to balance flexibility with meaningful in-person connection and collaboration. We come together in the office two days each week – most teams designate at least one anchor day to ensure team interaction. These in-person moments foster relationships, creativity, and alignment. The rest of the week you are empowered to work remote.

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $159,000.00 - $200,200.00 Annual

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position, including skills, ability, and knowledge the selected individual is bringing to the specific job.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• And more

To discover more about what we have to offer, please review our benefits page.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, we are committed to paving the way for everyone to achieve their healthiest life. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains an affirmative Action plan, as required by Minnesota law applicable to state contractors. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on any legally protected characteristic.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation in order to apply, please contact us at: [e-mail].

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Physical Requirements