Chief Strategy Officer

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

About The Position

The Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a senior executive responsible for shaping and advancing the Association’s long-term strategic agenda in service of the Blue Cross Blue Shield System and its independent member Plans. Operating at the intersection of strategy, federation leadership, and healthcare transformation, the CSO partners closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Board of Directors, Plan leadership, and plan strategy leaders to define enterprise and System priorities, anticipate industry disruption, and translate strategic vision into measurable impact. The CSO serves as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, providing rigorous insight on market dynamics, competitive forces, and innovation trends. The role requires a sophisticated understanding of the unique federated model of BCBSA, balancing national leadership and brand stewardship with Plan autonomy and market-specific needs. Why This Role Matters The Chief Strategy Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association something like: generates and leverages collective opportunities for the Blues to continue as the most trusted healthcare brand in the nation while creating a better system of health. This leader will help position the BCBS System to navigate industry disruption, strengthen collective capabilities, and deliver enduring value to Plans and the members they serve.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in corporate strategy, healthcare, management consulting, corporate development, or related executive roles.
Deep understanding of the U.S. healthcare ecosystem; experience with health plans, provider systems, healthcare services, or health policy strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success operating in complex, matrixed, or federated environments with multiple stakeholders and shared governance.
Proven ability to influence at the Board and C-suite level, with exceptional communication, synthesis, and executive presence.
Strong analytical and strategic problem-solving capabilities, paired with the ability to drive execution.
Bachelor’s degree required

Nice To Haves

MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy & Vision Lead the development, articulation, and evolution of BCBSA’s multi-year enterprise strategy, ensuring alignment with the Association’s mission, brand promise, and the strategic priorities of member Plans. Translate long-term vision into actionable strategic roadmaps, enterprise initiatives, and clear success metrics. Continuously assess the external healthcare landscape—including payer competition, provider dynamics, technology innovation, policy shifts, and consumer expectations—to inform strategic direction.
Stakeholder Leadership & Strategic Planning Partner with the CEO to engage the Board of Directors and Plan leadership on strategic priorities, trade-offs, and opportunities for Systemwide value creation and competitive positioning. Facilitate alignment across independent Plans by identifying areas where collective action, shared capabilities, or national coordination can accelerate impact. Build and lead the enterprise-wide strategic planning process, ensuring broad stakeholder engagement and alignment with organizational mission and goals. Drive the development of multi-year strategic plans, translating vision into actionable objectives, initiatives, and measurable outcomes. Establish and manage governance structures, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure disciplined execution and accountability throughout the planning cycle. Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement within the strategic planning function, empowering teams to adapt to emerging trends and challenges.
Market Intelligence & External Insights Proactively source and analyze long-term trends, disruptions, and innovations from external healthcare markets, including payors, providers, and competitors. Continuously monitor industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging business models to anticipate shifts that could impact the Association and its member Plans. Synthesize external market intelligence, competitor strategies, and provider dynamics into forward-looking recommendations for leadership and the Board. Ensure the Association leverages external insights to identify strategic opportunities and risks, supporting long-term affordability, access, and competitiveness.
Innovation, Partnerships & Growth Identify and evaluate strategic partnerships, alliances, and growth opportunities that strengthen the BCBS System’s position. Support innovation efforts that enhance the value proposition for Plans, employers, providers, and members. Provide strategic oversight for select enterprise investments or initiatives, as applicable.
Executive Leadership Build and lead a high-performing strategy organization with strong analytical rigor, executive presence, and collaborative orientation. Foster a culture of disciplined thinking, constructive challenge, and enterprise-wide perspective. Represent BCBSA externally, as appropriate, with industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders.