Director of HIF Projects

Department: Employee Benefits – Public Entity and HIF Business

Job Summary

As a key member of the Public Entity and HIF leadership team, the Director of HIF Projects is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering strategic and operational initiatives across our Health Insurance Fund (HIF) and public entity book of business. This individual serves as the central point of accountability for HIF related projects as directed by the HIF Executive Officer, The Executive Director and the Senior Director of HIF Operations.   This role will also provide support to the Executive Director team as it relates to preparing materials for Commission meetings, assistance with the Budget and Rate renewal process and be a resource for HIF Accounting. This position will work with our internal partners and teams to support our Process Improvement Team while delivering measurable value to member entities and their employees. Providing support to the Executive Director’s team will be a key area of focus.

Job Responsibilities

• Own the HIF project portfolio, including intake, prioritization, scoping, resourcing, and status reporting for all strategic and operational initiatives.
• Develop and maintain project plans with clear timelines, milestones, dependencies, risks, and accountable owners; establish a standard project management framework, templates, and governance cadence for the HIF practice.
• Provide regular updates to the HIF Executive Leadership team, escalating risks and recommending solution upon problem identification.
• Develop a HIF Training program for new hires.
• Lead projects that enhance data warehouse capabilities, reporting automation, and the use of analytics and AI tools.
• Support preparation of Program Manager reports, renewal analyses, and claims experience summaries for commissioners and member entities.
• Manage projects involving carrier partners, pharmacy benefit managers, third-party administrators, and benefits administration partners; including performance guarantees, service level agreements, ASO contract terms, and invoice review processes.
• Lead or support RFP processes and cost-containment initiatives such as reference-based pricing, improved Rx contracts, and out-of-network reimbursement fee schedules, and monitor the marketplace for emerging vendors, products, and trends.
• Support initiatives to consolidate and streamline smaller Funds where strategically appropriate.
• Contribute content to HIF newsletters and strategic communications.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable regulatory requirements, Fund bylaws, and public entity procurement rules.
• Perform other tasks, duties, and functions as assigned from time to time.

Specialized Knowledge or Licenses

• Life and Health License preferred
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or similar certification required
• Experience with data warehouse, business intelligence, or analytics platforms (e.g., Power BI) and AI-enabled tools required

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field preferred
• Minimum 8 years' experience in employee benefits, health insurance, self-funded plans, or public entity risk pooling, including at least 5 years leading complex, cross-functional projects
• Demonstrated experience managing implementations, renewals, RFPs, and vendor or carrier relationships
• Strong working knowledge of self-funded and fully insured health plans, ASO arrangements, stop loss, pharmacy benefits, and claims reporting
• Knowledge of Public Entity business preferred, including experience with New Jersey or Pennsylvania public entity health insurance funds, joint insurance funds, or municipal benefit programs
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret claims, financial, and utilization data to inform decisions
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines and to lead teams through change
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills, including experience presenting to boards or governing bodies
• Proficiency in Microsoft products; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Planner or Project required
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship

Working Conditions

Office environment with moderate noise level; able to work flexible hours including evenings, and travel to other Conner Strong & Buckelew and PERMA offices and client work sites as needed.

Salary for this position ranges from $100,000.00 - $130,000.00. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, and education. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.

#LIHYBIRD

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without Company sponsorship.

Conner Strong & Buckelew is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or domestic partnership or Civil Union status, pregnancy, family medical history or genetic information, atypical cellular or blood trait, military service or any other status protected by law.