Healthcare Payer Program Manager
Location: Remote
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job ID: 00068746541
Job Title: Program Manager – Healthcare Payer Implementations
About the role
As a Program Manager – Healthcare Payer Implementations, you will make an impact by leading large, complex implementation programs for healthcare payer clients. You will be accountable for end‑to‑end program delivery, including scope, schedule, financial management, risk mitigation, and stakeholder alignment. This role requires strong leadership, executive‑level communication, and the ability to drive results across cross‑functional delivery teams.
You will be a valued member of the delivery leadership team, setting direction and standards for program management while ensuring client expectations are met and exceeded.
This is a remote position, with travel up to 50% based on business and client needs.
In this role, you will:
- Lead and govern large or high‑complexity implementation programs from initiation through delivery and stabilization
- Analyze client objectives, requirements, and delivery methodologies to define best‑practice program approaches
- Develop, maintain, and control robust program schedules, milestones, and deliverables
- Drive program execution with full accountability for scope, timeline, quality, and financial performance
- Proactively identify, escalate, and mitigate program risks and issues to ensure successful outcomes
- Provide executive‑level communication and reporting to internal leadership and client stakeholders
- Direct and coordinate cross‑functional delivery teams and project management resources
- Anticipate and manage internal and external stakeholder expectations
- Ensure disciplined governance, change control, and issue resolution across the program lifecycle
- Stay informed on industry trends, payer challenges, and evolving delivery methodologies to inform program strategy
Work model
We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position. Travel of up to 50% may be required to support client and program needs.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may change based on project or client requirements. We will always be transparent about role expectations.
What you need to have to be considered
- 10+ years of experience in program or project management
- 10+ years of experience in the U.S. healthcare payer industry
- 7+ years of experience leading teams or managing delivery resources
- Proven success delivering high‑complexity, high‑criticality programs
- Strong executive‑level written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder expectations and resolve conflict effectively
- Strong financial and fiscal management experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Project Management or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- PMP certification required
These will help you stand out
- Experience leading enterprise‑scale healthcare payer implementations
- Mastery of MS Office, MS Project, and Agile delivery tools
- Strong mentoring and coaching capabilities
- Ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments
- Highly organized with exceptional prioritization and follow‑through skills
Salary and Other Compensation:
Applicants will be accepted till 5/25/2026
Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
The annual salary for this position will be in the range of $154K-$180K depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Our strength is built on our ability to work together. Our diverse backgrounds offer different perspectives and new ways of thinking. It encourages lively discussions, creativity, productivity, and helps us build better solutions for our clients. We want someone who thrives in this setting and is inspired to craft meaningful solutions through true collaboration.
If you are content with ambiguity, excited by change, and excel through autonomy, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply Now!
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What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.