American Institutes for Research (AIR)

Principal Researcher, Value-Based Specialty Care

Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, or related field with 7+ years of relevant research experience; or Master's degree with 11+ years.
  • 5+ years of experience leading large federal contracts.
  • Direct experience with CMMI alternative payment model contracts.
  • Proven track record in securing new business with CMS, AHRQ, or HHS agencies.
  • Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.
  • Familiarity with Medicare claims, provider claims, survey data, and public datasets.

Responsibilities

  • Lead project execution and business development for CMS and CMMI.
  • Direct large complex projects and oversee planning and implementation.
  • Provide senior subject matter expertise in specialty care and payment policies.
  • Lead proposal efforts, ensuring sound practices and client relations.
  • Serve as an expert in alternative payment models and value-based reimbursement.
  • Coach and manage team development, setting goals and measurements.
  • Foster a diverse and inclusive environment.

Benefits

  • Flexible remote work opportunities within the U.S.
  • Access to AIR's Total Rewards Program, rewarding competitive performance.
Full Job Description
Join AIR as a Principal Researcher, Value-Based Specialty Care with our Healthcare Innovations team. This senior research leadership role drives the design, execution, and evaluation of value-based specialty care and alternative payment model initiatives-primarily for CMS and CMMI-while leading teams, shaping federal proposals, and translating evidence into actionable insights for healthcare stakeholders.

The Principal Researcher will report into AIR's Healthcare Innovations Team, which supports high-quality implementation and produces rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of new approaches to care and payment-translating findings into actionable insights for policymakers, payers, providers, and patients.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR's U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.
Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

  • Leads project and task execution and business development, specifically for work conducted for CMS and the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI).
  • Directs execution of large complex projects or portfolio of smaller projects; oversees the planning, design, and implementation of project procedures.
  • Provides senior subject matter expertise related to specialty care, including quality measures, payment policies, and program and model design.
  • Leads proposal efforts including review of proposals for sound practices and techniques, briefings, and client relation/development activities.
  • Serves as industry expert for alternative payment models, value-based reimbursement, or Medicare payment policies, especially as they relate to specialty care.
  • Effectively coaches and manages others to promote their development; sets developmental goals and measurements for staff.
  • Fosters an environment that values a wide range of perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and individual strengths.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience
  • Ph.D. in Economics, Health Services Research, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience managing and conducting research or related work or Master's degree and at least 11 years of relevant experience.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience leading large federal contracts
  • Direct experience on prior or current CMMI alternative payment model contracts.
  • Proven track record of winning new business with CMS, AHRQ, or other HHS agencies.
  • Extensive knowledge of Medicare payment policy, Medicare Advantage, and/or Medicaid.
  • Knowledge of Medicare claims, provider claims, survey data, and publicly available datasets.

Skills
  • Must possess strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills at a senior level.
  • Extensive success in writing, conceptualizing, analyzing, and consulting on large-scale federally funded projects.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE

AIR's Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$155,700-$190,000 USD

About American Institutes for Research (AIR)

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan behavioral and social science research, evaluation, assessment, and technical assistance organization based in Washington, D.C. AIR was established in 1946 as a behavioral and social science research organization. AIR's mission is to conduct and apply the best behavioral and social science research and evaluation towards improving people's lives, with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged. AIR has more than 2,000 employees and offices across the United States and abroad.
Learn more about American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1946

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