AI Strategy Associate Director - State Health

Guidehouse • Bentonville, AR

1d • Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced AI and data practitioner to join our growing AI and Data practice with a dedicated focus on State Health agencies, with an emphasis on Medicaid programs and the responsible development and operationalization of AI solutions. This individual will be a hands-on leader who can connect strategy to execution, partnering with agency leaders to define high-value AI use cases, establish an enterprise AI strategy, and advance AI enablement across the organization. This is a leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of state health mission outcomes, data and AI capabilities, and practical implementation. You will guide clients through the full lifecycle, from identifying and prioritizing use cases to designing the operating model, data foundations, governance, and delivery approach needed to move solutions into production. The Associate Director will oversee cross-functional teams and work directly with client executives and program leaders to drive measurable value through AI, analytics, and modern data practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.
• Based on our contractual obligations, candidate must be located within the United States and US Citizen.
• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "PUBLIC TRUST".
• Minimum seven (7) years of hands-on AI, data, analytics, or engineering experience, including applied AI/ML work.
• Minimum five (5) years delivering technical solutions and programs for public sector clients, with significant experience in State Health and or Medicaid environments.
• Demonstrated experience defining AI use cases, translating business needs into solution requirements, and moving solutions from concept to implementation.
• Strong understanding of AI/ML technologies and data platforms (for example Azure/AWS/GCP, Databricks, Snowflake), and modern analytics methodologies.
• Working knowledge of GenAI capabilities and patterns, including where GenAI can drive productivity and where controls are needed.
• Experience with the full delivery lifecycle, including architecture, development oversight, deployment planning, monitoring, and operational support models.
• Proven ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical stakeholders, from agency executives (CIO, CDO, CISO, program leaders) to engineering and architecture teams.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• AI and or cloud certifications (Azure, AWS, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake) and relevant GenAI credentials.
• PMP or comparable delivery leadership credential.
• Hands-on experience bringing GenAI solutions into production with governance, monitoring, and adoption support.
• Direct experience with Medicaid systems and data sources such as MMIS, data warehouses/lakes, eligibility systems, provider systems, managed care data, or program integrity tools.
• Experience with health data interoperability initiatives and standards (for example FHIR-based approaches).
• Familiarity with state procurement and contracting processes, including RFP response leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to State Health and Medicaid leaders on developing an AI strategy that covers: Core enterprise AI capabilities (data readiness, governance, model lifecycle management, tooling) Priority mission and operational use cases (member and provider experience, program operations, integrity, quality, and analytics)
• Lead engagements from strategy through implementation, with a focus on outcomes, adoption, and sustainable operations.
• Translate complex health and Medicaid business challenges into actionable AI/ML and analytics solutions using platforms such as Azure, AWS, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake, and related services.
• Partner with IT, program, privacy, security, legal, and procurement stakeholders to support delivery that aligns to agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Facilitate use case discovery and prioritization workshops with stakeholders across agency divisions.
• Define an AI use case portfolio and roadmap that balances: Quick-win productivity use cases, Program modernization and longer-term transformation, Foundational capabilities (data, governance, operating model) needed to scale
• Create pragmatic adoption plans including workforce readiness, change management, training, and communications.
• Guide solution design and implementation for AI and GenAI capabilities, including: Decision support and predictive analytics, Intelligent document processing, summarization, and search, Customer service and contact center augmentation, Caseworker support tools and workflow automation, Program integrity and anomaly detection
• Lead and advise on production readiness topics such as model monitoring, drift, validation, human-in-the-loop workflows, and incident response procedures.
• Partner with data engineering and architecture teams to design data pipelines and curated datasets that support trusted analytics and AI use.
• Apply Medicaid and state health data knowledge across domains such as: Claims and encounters, eligibility and enrollment, provider data, managed care, long-term services and supports, pharmacy, behavioral health, and social determinants
• Support data integration and interoperability approaches using standards and frameworks such as FHIR, HL7, and related health data exchange patterns where relevant.
• Help teams define data quality, lineage, metadata, and access patterns that support scalable AI and analytics.
• Establish practical AI governance approaches including intake, review, risk management, and approval pathways.
• Incorporate responsible AI practices, transparency, auditability, and privacy-preserving approaches into delivery.
• Collaborate with security and privacy stakeholders to align to expectations relevant to State Health environments (for example, HIPAA-aligned privacy practices, agency security controls, and contractual requirements).
• Drive growth through capture support, proposal development, orals preparation, and strategic pursuits focused on State Health and Medicaid priorities.
• Collaborate with partners and directors to expand the firm’s footprint in State Health agencies and related health and human services organizations.
• Contribute to thought leadership and represent the firm in client discussions and industry forums.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director