Vice President, CDI

Jobtailor; Short Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior CDI leader to drive inpatient and outpatient CDI strategies across large health systems. You will shape program models, playbooks, and staffing while partnering with C-suite and physicians to improve quality, reimbursement integrity, and organizational reputation.

Ideal candidate has extensive CDI leadership experience, active RN or MD/DO licensure, and recognized CDI certifications.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading CDI programs at large health systems.
• Active licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) is required.
• At least one recognized CDI/coding certification (CCDS, CDIP, or CCS).
• Command of CDI methodology across documentation-to-reimbursement continuum, including MS-DRG/APR-DRG, CC/MCC, SOI/ROM, CMI, mortality/PSI/HAC, and coding integrity.
• Progressive leadership with accountability for teams, budgets, and measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional executive communication with physician and C-suite stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead CDI strategy, growth, and operational performance for inpatient and outpatient programs.
• Design and evolve CDI models, playbooks, workflows, staffing, and technology enablement.
• Establish outpatient CDI capabilities for risk-adjusted and value-based settings including HCC capture and prospective review.
• Engage C-suite and physician leaders as CDI subject-matter expert.
• Translate CDI performance into quality, reimbursement integrity, and organizational reputation outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Coaching

Mentoring

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

RN license or MD/DO

CDI/coding certification (CCDS, CDIP, CCS)

Tools

CDI Technology Platforms

NLP/Computer-Assisted Documentation

Analytics Tooling

Job description

• Lead the strategy, growth, operational performance, and market reputation of the Inpatient and Outpatient CDI practice
• Design, standardize, and evolve CDI program models, operating playbooks, workflows, query standards, staffing models, and technology enablement
• Establish Outpatient CDI capabilities for risk-adjusted and value-based settings, including HCC capture, prospective review, and audit-ready documentation
• Engage C-suite and physician leaders as a recognized CDI subject-matter expert
• Translate CDI performance into quality, reimbursement integrity, physician workflow, and organizational reputation outcomes
• Lead change management across clinical and revenue-cycle stakeholders
• Own KPI frameworks, set targets, monitor trends, and drive corrective action
• Use data and analytics to identify documentation gaps, benchmark performance, and quantify financial, quality, and compliance impact
• Establish audit and quality-assurance routines for query integrity, coding accuracy, and regulatory defensibility
• Represent CDI capabilities during new business growth opportunities and lead solution design and scoping for prospective engagements
• Partner with sales throughout targeting, discovery, proposal, pursuit, and close
• Shape value propositions, ROI narratives, proposals, statements of work, pricing assumptions, and pursuit strategy
• Support renewals and organic expansion within existing accounts
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain CDI leaders, specialists, and consulting associates
• Set productivity standards and manage performance through coaching and accountability
• Oversee onboarding, competency validation, inter-rater reliability, continuing education, compliant query policies, escalation pathways, and documentation-of-record practices
• Manage operating budget, utilization, and resource allocation across engagements
• Collaborate with HIM, coding, revenue integrity, quality, and compliance functions
• Monitor regulatory changes including IPPS/OPPS, ICD-10-CM/PCS, MS-DRG/APR-DRG, and HCC/RAF updates, translating implications into program action

Requirements

• Extensive experience leading and developing CDI programs at large health systems, including large academic medical centers
• Active licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) is required
• At least one recognized CDI/coding certification is required, such as CCDS, CDIP, or CCS
• Demonstrated command of CDI methodology across the documentation-to-reimbursement continuum, including compliant queries, MS-DRG/APR-DRG, CC/MCC, SOI/ROM, CMI, mortality/PSI/HAC, and coding integrity
• Progressive leadership experience with accountability for teams, budgets, and measurable program outcomes
• Exceptional executive communication and presence, with a track record of influencing physician and C-suite stakeholders and driving change
• Bachelor's degree required
• Ability to work across multiple client time zones
• Ability to present in on-site executive and physician settings
• Consulting engagement experience leading CDI program design, implementation, and/or improvement for external client organizations
• Experience leading Outpatient CDI initiatives in complex, risk-bearing environments, including Medicare Advantage, ACOs, capitated and value-based arrangements, HCC/RAF optimization, and prospective review
• Experience building, leading, and/or establishing pediatric CDI programs within children’s hospitals and/or large networked acute care specialty centers
• Experience supporting business development and sales pursuits, including solution design, proposals, and executive client presentations
• Familiarity with leading CDI technology platforms, NLP/computer-assisted documentation, and analytics tooling
• Experience preparing organizations for and defending payer, RAC, and RADV audits

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading and developing Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) programs, with a strong focus on operational performance, compliance, and quality outcomes. Proficient in engaging stakeholders, managing change, and utilizing data analytics to drive program success and financial integrity.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• CDI Program Development
• Registered Nurse (RN) or Physician (MD/DO) License
• CDI/Coding Certification (CCDS, CDIP, CCS)
• Executive Communication and Influence
• Outpatient CDI Initiatives in Value-Based Settings

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• CDI Methodology
• Documentation-to-Reimbursement Continuum
• MS-DRG/APR-DRG
• HCC/RAF Optimization
• Data Analytics
• Quality Assurance
• KPI Frameworks
• Change Management
• Budget Management
• Consulting Engagements

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• Collaboration
• Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

• CCDS
• CDIP
• CCS

Industry Keywords

• Inpatient and Outpatient CDI
• Risk-Adjusted Settings
• Value-Based Care
• Payer Audits
• Regulatory Compliance

Tools & Technologies

• CDI Technology Platforms
• NLP/Computer-Assisted Documentation
• Analytics Tooling