Associate Director of AI Strategy for Health Services

Job Family: Data Science Consulting

Travel Required: Up to 10%

Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:

Join us as a visionary leader in our AI and Data practice, focusing on enhancing State Health initiatives, particularly in Medicaid programs.

As the Associate Director of AI Strategy for Health Services, you will connect strategic insights to actionable execution.

Partner with agency leaders to identify valuable AI use cases, establish a robust enterprise AI strategy, and enhance AI capabilities throughout the organization.

This leadership position is perfect for someone passionate about blending state health mission outcomes with AI's potential and effective implementation.

You will assist clients through each stage, from identifying and prioritizing use cases to designing an operational model and the data governance required for successful deployment.

You will lead cross-functional teams and collaborate directly with client executives and program leaders to deliver measurable improvements through AI, analytics, and modern data practices.

Client Leadership and Delivery:

• Act as a trusted advisor to State Health and Medicaid leaders, guiding the development of an AI strategy encompassing:
• Core enterprise AI capabilities (data readiness, governance, model lifecycle management, tooling)
• Prioritized mission and operational use cases (member and provider experience, program operations, integrity, quality, and analytics)
• Lead projects from strategy to implementation, with a strong focus on outcomes, adoption, and sustainable operations.
• Transform complex healthcare and Medicaid challenges into practical AI/ML and analytics solutions utilizing platforms such as Azure, AWS, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake, and related services.
• Collaborate with IT, program, privacy, security, legal, and procurement stakeholders to ensure alignment with agency policies and applicable regulations.

AI Strategy, Use Case Portfolio, and Roadmaps:

• Facilitate workshops for use case discovery and prioritization with various agency stakeholders.
• Define a balanced AI use case portfolio and roadmap focusing on:
• Quick-win productivity initiatives
• Program modernization and long-term transformation goals
• Foundational capabilities (data, governance, operating model) necessary for scalability
• Create actionable adoption plans that include workforce readiness, change management, training, and communications.

Solution Development and Operationalization:

• Oversee the design and implementation of AI and GenAI capabilities, including:
• Decision support and predictive analytics
• Intelligent document processing and search enhancements
• Customer service and contact center augmentation
• Caseworker support tools and workflow automation
• Program integrity and anomaly detection
• Lead on production readiness topics such as model monitoring, validation, and incident response procedures.
• Work with data engineering and architecture teams to develop data pipelines that support reliable analytics and AI usage.

Data, Interoperability, and Medicaid Domain Enablement:

• Leverage knowledge of Medicaid and state health data using domains such as:
• Claims, eligibility, provider data, managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and social determinants
• Support data interoperability approaches utilizing standards such as FHIR and HL7 where applicable.
• Assist teams in defining data quality, lineage, and access patterns to ensure scalable AI and analytics.

Responsible AI, Governance, Privacy, and Security:

• Establish effective AI governance, including risk management and review pathways.
• Incorporate responsible AI practices and compliance with privacy requirements in all deliverables.
• Collaborate with privacy and security stakeholders to meet State Health environment expectations (such as HIPAA-aligned practices).

Business Development:

• Drive growth through proposal development and client engagement strategies within State Health and Medicaid.
• Partner with teams to enhance the firm's presence in State Health agencies and related organizations.
• Contribute to thought leadership and represent our firm in client conversations and industry platforms.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Located within the United States; candidates must be US citizens.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD Public Trust clearance.
• At least seven (7) years of hands-on experience in AI, data, analytics, or engineering, including applied AI/ML work.
• A minimum of five (5) years delivering technical solutions for public sector clients, especially in State Health or Medicaid.
• Experience in recognizing AI use cases and translating these into practical solutions.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies and platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP, Databricks, Snowflake) and modern analytics methodologies.
• Some experience with GenAI capabilities and understanding where governance controls are essential.
• Familiarity with the entire delivery lifecycle: architecture, development, deployment, and operational support.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders ranging from executives to engineering teams.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% during critical phases, such as project kick-offs and implementations.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• A Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Certifications from AI and/or cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake) and relevant GenAI credentials.
• PMP or similar credentials in delivery leadership.
• Practical experience implementing GenAI solutions with governance and monitoring support.
• Direct experience with Medicaid systems and data sources.
• Knowledge of health data interoperability initiatives and standards.
• Familiarity with state procurement and contracting processes.

The annual salary range for this position is $122,000.00-$203,000.00. Factors influencing compensation include skills, experience, certifications, and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse provides a comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation and flexible benefits, underscoring our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Paid Holidays
• Eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance options
• Health Savings account and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement and Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse:

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer—Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities, or any other basis protected by law.