
Principal Implementation Manager
Who We Are:
SmithRx is a rapidly growing, venture-backed Health-Tech company. Our mission is to disrupt the expensive and inefficient Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) sector by building a next-generation drug acquisition platform driven by cutting edge technology, innovative cost saving tools, and best-in-class customer service. With hundreds of thousands of members onboarded since 2016, SmithRx has a solution that is resonating with clients all across the country.
We pride ourselves for our mission-driven and collaborative culture that inspires our employees to do their best work. We believe that the U.S healthcare system is in need of transformation, and we come to work each day dedicated to making that change a reality. At our core, we are guided by our company values:
- Integrity: Our purpose guides our actions and gives us confidence in the path ahead. With unwavering honesty and dependability, we embrace the pressure of challenging the old and exemplify ethical leadership to create the new.
- Courage: We face continuous challenges with grit and resilience. We embrace the discomfort of the unknown by balancing autonomy with empathy, and ownership with vulnerability. We boldly challenge the status quo to keep moving forward—always.
- Together: The success of SmithRx reflects the strength of our partnerships and the commitment of our team. Our shared values bind us together and make us one. When one falls, we all fall; when one rises, we all rise.
Job Summary:
SmithRx is seeking an experienced and dynamic Principal Implementation Manager to join our Customer Success team. This strategic individual contributor role is responsible for leading the implementation of complex and large-scale new group Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) clients. This role demands a seasoned professional capable of overseeing end-to-end implementation projects, ensuring high-quality delivery of the SmithRx product, and fostering strong client relationships. The Principal Implementation Manager will drive project teams to achieve critical milestones, collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure predictable, successful outcomes. This strategic role requires travel for key client engagements, including finalist presentations and potential on-site implementation support.
In order to be eligible for this position applicants must be based in one of the following states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
What you will do:
- Lead end-to-end implementations for large and complex new group PBM clients, providing strategic direction as the primary point of contact throughout the lifecycle, including travel for key on-site engagements.
- Collaborate with the sales team by providing subject matter expertise for RFPs, and traveling to and actively participating in finalist presentations to showcase our implementation capabilities.
- Leverage deep PBM industry knowledge to architect effective solutions, leading client discovery and skillfully navigating complex client organizations to define project plans, document/validate requirements, ensure stakeholder alignment, and secure formal client approval for tailored implementations.
- Develop and execute detailed project plans for large-scale implementations, establishing rigorous monitoring, control, and risk mitigation processes (including executive reporting and contingency planning) to ensure milestones are met and issues are proactively addressed.
- Effectively communicate and collaborate with key internal (Sales, Product, Engineering, Operations) and external (Clients, Brokers, Consultants, Third-Party Vendors) stakeholders to ensure timely completion of all project tasks and readiness for go-live.
- Manage escalated client issues, member issues, and project challenges with a focus on root cause analysis and long-term solutions.
- Oversee go-live activities and facilitate post-implementation reviews, ensuring smooth client transition while contributing insights to refine enterprise implementation methodologies, tools, and best practices.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to other implementation team members, particularly on complex or enterprise-level projects.
- Oversee client contracting for timely execution, actively validating that Performance Guarantees are clear, achievable, and mutually understood pre-go-live.
- During periods of fluctuating enterprise client volume or off-peak seasons, apply expertise to a range of initiatives including other implementation projects, smaller client setups, departmental process improvements, and strategic internal efforts such as large-scale projects or program launches.
What you will bring to SmithRx:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum 12-15 years of project management experience, including extensive experience managing large-scale, complex PBM implementations for new groups.
- Preferred candidates will have demonstrable experience leading and navigating the complexities of implementation onboarding for specialized and regulated client segments. This includes, but is not limited to: Union, Medicare, and Healthplan clients.
- Strong understanding of PBM operations, including claims processing, formulary management, and demonstrable experience directly managing the onboarding for large employer groups or health plans.
- Strong executive presence with extensive experience engaging, influencing, and collaborating with C-suite/executive leadership in strategic client-facing roles.
- Design and deliver clear, concise, and persuasive executive presentations that effectively convey project status, strategic insights, and recommendations to drive decision-making.
- Strong ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage complex projects with minimal oversight.
- Expertise in project management methodologies and tools coupled with comprehensive documentation skills.
- Experience supporting sales processes, including RFP responses and finalist presentations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to navigate ambiguity.
- Proficient with business systems vital for project management, client communication, and data handling: MS Office, Salesforce (preferred CRM), Jira, Slack.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities, adaptability in a fast-paced technology environment, and the ability to influence stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel 5-10% of the time.
What SmithRx Offers You:
- Highly competitive wellness benefits including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
- Flexible Spending Benefits
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Program
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Discretionary Paid Time Off
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Wellness Benefits
- Commuter Benefits
- Paid Parental Leave benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Well-stocked kitchen in office locations
- Professional development and training opportunities
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