Vice President, Business Operations Automation

Centene is transforming the health of our communities one person at a time.  As an Executive on our team, you could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members.
 

Position Purpose:

Develops and executes the automation strategy across managed care operations. Drives large-scale transformation initiatives, leveraging advanced technologies to optimize processes, improves quality, and enhances employee, member and provider experiences. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including business process owners, technology leaders, and clinical operations, to ensure automation aligns with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.

• Sets the strategic vision for automation initiatives across operational functions, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and industry best practices.
• Leads the identification, design, and implementation of automation solutions (e.g., RPA, AI, workflow orchestration) to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve service quality.
• Partners with business and technology stakeholders to gather requirements, define project scope, and prioritize automation opportunities.
• Leads vendor evaluation, negotiation of contracts, and build-vs-buy decisions for defined automation solutions.
• Oversees the integration of automation technologies with existing systems, ensuring seamless operation and minimal disruption.
• Partners with internal thought leaders to develop guardrails for AI-driven process automation, ensuring appropriate governance of the design, deployment, and life cycle management of all solutions.
• Establishes and enforces operational integration controls, including standardized workflows, QA checkpoints, exception-handling rules, and human-in-the-loop controls – to ensure automation-enhanced processes run safely, consistently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of automation on operational efficiency, compliance, and member satisfaction.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement within the automation team and across the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, or related field required
• Master's Degree in a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in managed care, health insurance, or healthcare operations, with a strong focus on automation and process improvement required
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and technical challenges.
• In-depth knowledge of managed care operations, payer-provider relations, and regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, CMS).
• Familiarity with claims management, contract negotiation, and compliance tools.
• Financial and operational awareness to align automation with business objectives.
• Experience leading digital transformation initiatives and managing complex projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale automation or digital transformation initiatives.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Or equivalent experience acquired through accomplishments of applicable knowledge, duties, scope and skill reflective of the level of this position.
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, or related field required
• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in managed care, health insurance, or healthcare operations, with a strong focus on automation and process improvement required.

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules.  Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status.  Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act