Quality and Operations Program Associate

ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY AFFILIATED PLANS; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurances

Paid time off

Flexible spending account

Parental leave

Short and long‑term disability

Job summary

ACAP is seeking a Quality and Operations Program Associate to provide operational and research support on quality and policy projects across Medicaid/CHIP, Marketplace, and Medicare lines. The role involves quantitative analysis, excel modeling, and coordinating with senior leadership to advance quality priorities.

The position is based in Washington, DC, Fall 2026 start, with a blend of in‑office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Requires college degree and 1–2 years health care or public policy experience, or a graduate degree in a health-related field or public policy.
• Strong quantitative analysis and Excel skills.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to support quality priorities and operational support for member plans.
• Support CEO and VP for Quality and Operations with research, analyses, and meeting notes.
• Perform limited quantitative analysis of Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace data.
• Develop summaries/draft letters for relevant federal regulations and guidance.
• Support workshops, collaboratives, and roundtable events within the Quality and Operations portfolio.
• Assist with policy planning, conference management, and on-site logistics as needed.
• Prepare meeting summaries and update ACAP websites and external communications channels.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Excel proficiency

Writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree in health policy or related field

Job description

Quality and Operations Program Associate

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality and Operations Program Associate provides operational and research support on projects related to quality and operational issues, often intersecting with various policy aspects, for not-for-profit, community-based health plans across the Medicaid/CHIP, Marketplace, and Medicare lines of business. This position offers an excellent opportunity to be a part of a leading organization committed to increasing access to quality health coverage and improving the health and well‑being of lower‑income people and/or people with significant health needs. It requires excellent verbal, organizational, written, quantitative and interpersonal skills, and the ability to perform independently in a fast‑paced environment under general supervision. The successful candidate must be able to customarily and regularly exercise judgment and discretion.

The start date for this position is Fall 2026. This position is based in Washington, D.C.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Quality and Operations Program Associate include:

• Undertaking research that will be used to develop reports to advance quality priorities and operational support for member plans.
• Supporting the CEO and Vice President for Quality and Operations in research and analysis, presentations, meeting notes and minutes, etc.
• Conducting limited quantitative analysis of Medicaid Managed Care, Medicare, and Marketplace Qualified Health Plan data sources.
• Analyzing and developing summaries/draft comment letters for any pertinent federal regulations and quality‑related guidance (e.g., from NCQA).
• Providing support for workshops and collaboratives that are part of the Quality and Operations portfolio.
• Participating in intern search process; distributing intern projects, as appropriate.
• Coordinating with ACAP’s Director of Conferences and Events to lead policy planning efforts of ACAP-sponsored conferences and to provide on‑site conference management. Meeting planning and management responsibilities may constitute up to 20 percent of the Program Associate’s workload throughout the year, although such responsibilities are not evenly distributed throughout the year and most weeks do not involve any meeting planning support
• Writing meeting summaries for various committee calls, roundtables, and other events.
• Supporting other staff with updating and managing the web site.
• Supporting external communications channels (e.g., Teams) and discussion boards, as needed.
• Researching quality and operational issues of interest to safety net health plans.
• Responding to member inquiriesand addressing member concerns.
• Providing roundtable and webinar support.
• Maintaining a procedure manual for all position‑related duties.
• Communicating effectively and on a frequent basis with colleagues and members.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Competitive candidates must possess either a college degree, and 1-2 years of relevant health care or public policy work experience or possess a graduate degree in a health‑related field or public policy. The ideal candidate will have experience with quantitative analysis and strong familiarity with Microsoft Excel. Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare or the Affordable Care Act, health plan quality and operational issues, and prior work or internships in associations or health policy organizations is a plus. Strong writing, interpersonal, and communications skills are a must.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

• This position frequently operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.
• This position requires continuous walking, standing and moving about.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to travel both locally and overnight.

EXPECTATION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, professional demeanor, accountability, and ownership.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

ACAP is a national organization of 92 Medicaid‑focused, not‑for‑profit managed care plans serving over 30 million people in Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other public health programs. ACAP’s missionis to strengthen not‑for‑profit Safety Net Health Plans in their work to improve the health and well‑being of lower‑income people and/or people with significant health needs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The pay offered to a successful candidate is competitive and determined by various factors, including education, work experience, job responsibilities, and ACAP’s practice of upholding salary equity within the organization. The starting salary range for the Quality and Operations Program Associate role is $60,000 to $70,000 annually.

ACAP provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees, subject to eligibility.

• Medical, vision, and dental insurances
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending account
• Parental leave
• Short and long‑term disability insurance

Reports To: Vice President for Quality and Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Revision Date: August 2026

Work Authorization: Must be able to legally work for ANY employer in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Location: The position is located in Washington, D.C. Occasional travel (less than 10%) required. The position involves a mixture of in‑office and remote work. Must reside in the DMV area.

ACAP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.