Strategy Consultant - Utilization Management and Medical Policy

Highmark Health; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Highmark Health seeks a Strategy Consultant to drive change in Utilization Management and Medical Policy. Build data-driven models, bridge clinical decisions with operational finance, and develop cost-saving analyses.

You will work hands-on with healthcare data, partnering with data engineers to deliver actionable insights for clinical and operational stakeholders. The role is remote-based, with a preference for candidates near Pittsburgh, PA, and requires strong SQL/Python skills, solid Power

Qualifications

• Masters in Business, Healthcare, Economics or related field required or 6 years of related experience in lieu of Master’s degree.
• 2 years post-grad strategy/management consulting experience preferred or equivalent internal strategy group experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop Financial & Operational Models to evaluate medical policy and utilization management strategies.
• Lead foundational model development in first 90 days for prior authorization costs and trends.
• Perform hands-on data extraction, transformation, and data-layer construction for analyses.
• Collaborate with data engineering to secure data assets and translate them into insights.
• Define and execute day-to-day tactical steps within leadership’s strategic boundaries.

Skills

SQL

Python/R

Power BI/Tableau

Data modeling

Education

Master’s degree in Business/Healthcare/Economics

Bachelor’s degree with 3 years relevant experience

Job description

Company : Highmark Inc. Job Description :

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly tactical and data-fluent Strategy Consultant to drive change within our Utilization Management and Medical Policy operations. In this role, you will bridge the gap between clinical decision-making and operational finance. You are a "doer" who can take a defined strategic goal, determine the tactical steps to achieve it, and get your hands dirty building the data models to prove it out. You will operate with a high degree of self-sufficiency, manipulating standardized healthcare data assets to build business cases, track administrative costs, and project future performance.

Key Responsibilities

Develop Financial & Operational Models: Build and implement robust data models to evaluate medical policy and utilization management strategies, quantify financial and operational impacts, and measure actual performance against expected outcomes.

In the First 90 Days: Lead the development of a foundational model accounting for cost savings and administrative costs at a procedure-code level for our prior authorization list, including trend analysis and future projections.

Perform Hands-On Data Manipulation: Extract and transform data from centralized IT/data offerings to create a fit-for-purpose data layer conducive to analyses.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with data engineering teams to secure necessary data assets, and translate those technical assets into actionable insights for clinical and operational stakeholders.

Execute Tactical Strategy: Work within leadership's strategic boundaries to independently define and execute the day-to-day tactical steps required to achieve high-level goals.

This is a remote based role, however we would like someone close to Pittsburgh, PA

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with business/ market owners to identify key business issues, apply right analytical framework, develop solution and recommendations, represent findings to stakeholders and own the outcome.

Manage major strategy projects with the help of internal or external strategy consulting resources.

Serve as subject matter expert to Strategic Operations staff and stakeholders on membership, growth and operational strategy issues.

Provide periodic informal work guidance/direction to junior team members; Provide performance input and recommendations to management for development/ training plans.

May have supervisory responsibilities on a project basis.

Develop analytical frameworks, approach and methodology best practices to analyze strategy issues.

Other duties as assigned or requested.

EDUCATION

Required Masters Degree in Business, Healthcare, Economics or related degree 2 years of post-grad experience with strategy / management consulting firms (such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Booz & Company, Accenture (strategy Practice) or Deloitte (Strategy practice) ) or internal strategy groups of healthcare companies (such as Aetna, United Health Group, WellPoint, GE, ) 6 years of related experience in Business or Healthcare Substitution Bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant progressive strategic experience in lieu of Master's degree

Preferred Experience: 3–5+ years in healthcare strategy, healthcare economics, clinical analytics, or a related consulting role focused on tactical execution.

Technical Data Skills

Highly proficient in data manipulation and modeling (e.g., advanced SQL, Python/R, or complex Power BI/Tableau builds). Note: We are not looking for a data architect, but rather a strategist who is technically self-sufficient.

Healthcare Domain Expertise

Deep understanding of healthcare financial and operational datasets (claims, procedure codes, cost-of-care).

Clinical Context

Working knowledge of Utilization Management, Medical Policy, and clinical terminologies (EHR, ICD-10, interoperability standards).

Translation & Communication

Proven ability to collaborate with highly technical data teams and present compelling, data-backed operational changes to clinical leaders.

LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS

Required None

Preferred None

SKILLS

Broad application of principles, theories, and concepts in strategic thinking, plus working knowledge of other related fields Strong PC application Skills (MS Office including PowerPoint and Excel) Knowledge of healthcare industry trends and challenges Strong critical thinking skills Good communication and presentation skills

Language (Other than English)

None

Travel Requirement

0% - 25%

PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS

Position Type Remote

Teaches / trains others regularly Occasionally Travel regularly from the office to various work sites or from site-to-site Never Works primarily out-of-the office selling products/services (sales employees) Never Physical work site required Yes Lifting: up to 10 pounds Constantly Lifting: 10 to 25 pounds Never Lifting: 25 to 50 pounds

Disclaimer

The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

Compliance Requirement

This job adheres to the ethical and legal standards and behavioral expectations as set forth in the code of business conduct and company policies. As a component of job responsibilities, employees may have access to covered information, cardholder data, or other confidential customer information that must be protected at all times. In connection with this, all employees must comply with both the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as described in the Notice of Privacy Practices and Privacy Policies and Procedures as well as all data security guidelines established within the Company’s Handbook of Privacy Policies and Practices and Information Security Policy. Furthermore, it is every employee’s responsibility to comply with the company’s Code of Business Conduct. This includes but is not limited to adherence to applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as company policies and training requirements.

Pay Range

Minimum: $108,600.00

Maximum: $180,600.00

Base pay is determined by a variety of factors including a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expected contributions, as well as internal peer equity, market, and business considerations. The displayed salary range does not reflect any geographic differential Highmark may apply for certain locations based upon comparative markets.

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

California Consumer Privacy Act Employees, Contractors, and Applicants Notice

Highmark Health is a national, blended health organization that includes one of America’s largest Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers and a growing regional hospital and physician network. Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Highmark Health’s 35,000 employees serve millions of customers nationwide through the nonprofit organization’s affiliated businesses, which include Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, HM Insurance Group, United Concordia Dental, HM Health Solutions and HM Home & Community Services. Highmark Health’s businesses proudly serve a broad spectrum of health-related needs including health insurance, health care delivery, population health management, dental solutions, reinsurance solutions, and innovative, technology solutions.