Program Area Director – Applied Health Care Economics - Hybrid Washington DC Office
JOB SUMMARY: NORC at the University of Chicago seeks a Program Area Director for our Applied Health Care Economics team. The incumbent will lead evaluation and health services research projects requiring application of econometric modeling and other advanced quantitative research methods. The Program Area Director should have familiarity and experience leading Medicare and Medicaid demonstration evaluations that use experimental or quasi-experimental design. The ideal candidate will have led analyses estimating the impact of health care payment and delivery interventions on outcomes and cost using data files derived from Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer administrative data. In addition to providing subject matter and methodological leadership to projects, the Program Area Director will lead and mentor a group of approximately 15 staff with similar training in quantitative analysis. The ideal candidate will also have extensive experience managing and supporting teams of highly skilled researchers, managing client relationships, and collaborating with statisticians, methodologists, survey researchers, and qualitative researchers. The Program Area Director will advance integrating mixed methods to answer research questions that cannot be fully explored using quantitative methods alone. The ideal candidate will also bring experience directing multiple analytic research projects simultaneously; a reputation for leading with empathy; strong problem-solving skills; and a track record of leading successful business development in the federal government, state government, and foundation sectors. This position will have a hybrid work schedule of at least two days a week in our Washington DC office. DEPARTMENT: Health Care Evaluation Research The Health Care Evaluation Research Department houses the Applied Health Care Economics team. This team leads quantitative analysis on Medicare and Medicaid evaluations for federal and state governments. This team also takes on stand-alone quantitative health research studies for Foundations and non-profits, drug pricing related research for the federal government, and consulting with states on the impact of health care provider and payer transactions on cost and quality of care. The Program Area Director will work closely with Health Care Evaluation Department leadership to align strategic priorities and coordinate cross-departmental initiatives. The Program Area Director will also collaborate with leaders in other departments within NORC’s Health and Research Science Divisions to integrate expertise and advance the organization's mission of conducting objective, rigorous research that decision makers can trust. RESPONSIBILITIES: Serving as program area and project director with significant responsibilities on complex scientific and/or technical components of multiple projects related to applied health care economics within the Department and across NORC Leading strategic projects by providing technical input and direction to staff on research design, methodology, data analysis, and interpretation for Medicare and Medicaid demonstration evaluations and health services research. Leading teams to conduct complex evaluations of alternative care delivery & payment models, state health care initiatives, and other health care innovations using rigorous econometric methods and mixed methods research. Providing direction and research leadership to teams to obtain funding for, plan, and execute research studies focused on value and sustainability in health care. Leading the drafting and managing contract proposals and grant applications including estimating project budgets for federal agencies, state governments, and foundations Developing and maintaining key partnerships inside and outside of NORC, as well as current and prospective funders and clients including CMS/CMMI, state agencies, and foundations to advance the program area and Department's strategic initiatives Advancing the strategic thinking of the team by identifying market needs in health economics research, brainstorming new service or product offerings, and developing dissemination materials to position NORC as a leader in health economics Steering business development efforts to expand the footprint and impact of Program Area and NORC with government agencies, commercial organizations, foundations, and others. Growing the program area and Department research teams both through the development of current staff and the strategic recruitment of new professionals with capabilities that complement existing expertise within the department. Supporting a cohesive, team-oriented culture across a geographically dispersed staff, promoting communication and integration among all members to foster collegiality and ongoing collaboration Managing teams to carry out strategic initiatives and business development opportunities, including monitoring and oversight of finances and administration for projects Fostering a community of practice for staff to conduct innovative health economics research that generates actionable evidence for informed decision making. REQUIRED SKILLS: PhD in Economics, Public Policy, Health Services research, or another relevant discipline strongly preferred. Master’s degree is required. At least 15 years of directly applicable work experience with increasing responsibility, including a significant leadership role such as overseeing a line of business or research group in a nonprofit organization, research organization, or government agency. Recognition as an expert in health economics and health services research, as evidenced by supporting publications, presentations, and successful evaluation projects. Policy expertise in Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance – including a focus on alternative payment models. Candidates with experience leading CMS demonstration evaluations and alternative payment model assessments, state-level health policy analysis, and commercial payer consulting are strongly preferred. Strong foundation in econometric methods, advanced quantitative analysis with administrative and survey data, and mixed-methods research approaches. Proficiency in statistical analysis software (Stata, R, or Python preferred) with demonstrated experience leading analyses with large administrative healthcare datasets (Medicare, Medicaid, and All-Payer Claims Databases) Superior analytic skills, including well-developed problem-solving skills, data analysis, time management, personal organization, attention to detail, and presentation skills. Proven experience in a team management, supervisory, or leadership role (at least 5 years of experience in a leadership or management role). Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire, and build high-performing teams. Experience in reporting on research to a wide range of both internal and external stakeholders using a variety of platforms. Successful record of securing contracts to conduct high-caliber, compelling health economics and health services research projects for the federal government by submitting compelling proposals. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with minimal supervision. Ability to manage multiple projects with agility and work effectively with multiple departments, stakeholders, and internal/external clients. A track record for building, developing, managing with empathy, and retaining a team of highly capable research professionals. This position will have a hybrid work schedule of at least two days a week in our Washington, DC office. Please include a CV and Cover Letter when applying. Candidates should be prepared to provide professional references upon request. SALARY AND BENEFITS: The pay range for this position is $180,000-$240,000. This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment Dental and vision insurance A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). NORC’s Approach to Equity and Transparency Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC). WHAT WE DO: NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge. WHO WE ARE: For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale. EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics. LI-MS1
