Cognizant

Consulting Manager, Health Payer

Cognizant$81K — $126K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8 to 10 years of experience in consulting, payer operations, or healthcare business analysis.
  • In-depth understanding of health insurance payer functions like claims processing and member services.
  • Proficiency in analyzing complex payer operations and providing structured recommendations.
  • Familiarity with payer platforms, benefit configuration, and system testing.
  • Solid knowledge of payer regulatory and compliance frameworks and privacy rules.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills for leading remote workshops.

Responsibilities

  • Lead consulting engagements for payer clients to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Facilitate requirements discovery and document needs aligned with regulations.
  • Provide domain expertise across claims, utilization management, and provider contract administration.
  • Analyze payer data to identify actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
  • Collaborate with technology teams to translate requirements into effective solutions.
  • Develop process documentation and reusable frameworks to maintain service quality.
  • Support compliance initiatives by interpreting payer guidelines and designing controls.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401(k) plan and contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Employee assistance program
  • 10 paid holidays plus PTO
  • Paid parental leave and fertility assistance
  • Learning and development certifications and programs
Full Job Description
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About the role

As a Consulting Manager, Health Payer you will make an impact by helping health insurance payer clients improve operations, strengthen compliance, and use data-driven insights to support better business and healthcare outcomes. You will be a valued member of the Cognizant Consulting team and work collaboratively with clients, technology teams, and cross-functional stakeholders.
In this role, you will:
  • Lead end-to-end consulting engagements for payer clients by assessing current business processes, identifying improvement opportunities, and defining clear roadmaps that enhance operational efficiency and member service quality.
  • Facilitate requirements discovery with client stakeholders, documenting business and functional needs while ensuring alignment with payer regulations, benefit structures, claims operations, and reimbursement models.
  • Provide payer domain expertise across claims processing, utilization management, provider contract administration, benefit plan setup, product definition, and adjudication rules to improve accuracy, automation, and compliance.
  • Analyze payer data, including claims, eligibility, authorizations, and provider information, to identify patterns, root causes, risks, and actionable insights that support strategic decision-making.
  • Partner with technology teams to translate business requirements into solution designs, validate functional specifications, support testing activities, and help deliver high-quality client solutions.
  • Develop process documentation, standard operating procedures, reusable frameworks, and knowledge assets that help client teams sustain improvements and maintain consistent service delivery.
  • Support regulatory and compliance initiatives by interpreting payer-related guidelines, assessing operational impacts, and helping clients design controls that strengthen audit readiness.
  • Mentor junior consultants by sharing payer domain knowledge, reviewing deliverables, and providing coaching that improves analytical rigor, communication quality, and professional growth.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.
What you must have to be considered
  • 8 to 10 years of professional experience in consulting, payer operations, healthcare business analysis, or a related payer domain role.
  • Strong understanding of health insurance payer functions, including claims processing, utilization management, member services, medical policy application, and provider network administration.
  • Experience analyzing complex payer operations and translating findings into structured recommendations, business requirements, process maps, and client-ready deliverables.
  • Familiarity with payer platforms or administration systems, including benefit configuration, product setup, adjudication rules, or related system design and testing activities.
  • Strong knowledge of payer regulatory and compliance considerations, including privacy rules, mandated benefits, reporting obligations, and operational risk controls.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead workshops, working sessions, and client discussions in a remote delivery model.

These will help you succeed
  • Experience supporting payer transformation, operational improvement, cost reduction, automation, or process optimization initiatives.
  • Ability to interpret large volumes of claims, eligibility, authorization, and provider data to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to break down complex payer challenges and recommend practical solutions.
  • Experience developing standard operating procedures, training materials, reusable consulting assets, or industry point-of-view content.
  • Ability to mentor junior consultants and contribute to continuous improvement of consulting methods, tools, and best practices.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.
Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $81,450 and $126,750, depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.
Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 401(k) plan and contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Employee assistance program
  • 10 paid holidays plus PTO
  • Paid parental leave and fertility assistance
  • Learning and development certifications and programs


About Cognizant

TriZetto is Powering Integrated Healthcare Management. With technology solutions touching more than half the U.S. population today, TriZetto is uniquely positioned to drive the convergence of core benefit administration, care management and constituent engagement. TriZetto provides premier information technology solutions that enable payers and other constituents in the healthcare supply chain to improve the coordination of benefits and care for healthcare consumers.

Cognizant Careers

Join the vibrant team at Cognizant, a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process services. Cognizant is not just a company; it's a community where innovation, leadership, and diversity are valued and where every team member is encouraged to thrive.

Work You’ll Do

At Cognizant, we are dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses — not just for today but for the future. This commitment to growth and sustainability is what makes Cognizant a unique place to advance your career.

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Whether you're looking for an entry-level position or a more senior role, Cognizant offers a plethora of job opportunities that could be perfect for you. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, ensuring that every candidate is able to showcase their skills and potential fully.

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Join a team where innovation is at the core of everything we do. Cognizant’s professionals are not just part of a company; they're part of a groundbreaking environment that combines technology, insights, and leadership to foster innovation across global industries.

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Kickstart your career with Cognizant’s internship programs. These opportunities allow you to gain hands-on experience, develop your professional skills, and network with experts in your field. An internship at Cognizant is a stepping stone to full-time employment and a chance to see how your studies apply in the real world.

Professional Growth and Development

Cognizant is committed to the professional growth of its employees. With access to cutting-edge training, leadership programs, and diversity initiatives, you can build a career that’s equipped for the demands of tomorrow’s business landscape.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their physical, financial, and emotional well-being. Cognizant’s culture is built on a foundation of respect and inclusivity, where everyone’s contribution is valued. Join us and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and is driven to make a positive impact on the world.

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Learn more about Cognizant
Size
340,400 employees
Market Cap
$28.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+6.5%
Revenue
$16.6 billion
NASDAQ

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