Director Strategic Initiatives

Elevance Health•Atlanta, GA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Strategic Initiatives serves as a strategic partner to senior leadership within the Health Benefits Operations organization, helping drive enterprise-level planning, executive communications, performance management, and operational coordination across a broad, highly visible portfolio. The role calls for executive presence and sound business judgment, with the ability to synthesize data, operational priorities, and strategic messages into polished deliverables for senior audiences. The director also identifies internal and external opportunities and partnering strategies for a Strategic Business Unit. The position leads business-planning activities, supports executive coordination and the Office of the COO, partners cross-functionally on strategy and organizational priorities, and manages special projects. It evaluates strategic initiatives and investments, develops research and materials on healthcare issues, coordinates with Corporate Strategic Planning, and manages direct reports. The role follows a hybrid schedule requiring associates to work in-office three days per week. Candidates must live within reasonable commuting distance of a posting location unless an accommodation is granted as required by law.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) and at least 10 years of experience, including 5 years of project management experience and 5 years of related experience as a health analyst or health staffer in the legislative community; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and influence across functions without direct authority.
Ability to synthesize complex data, operational performance insights, and strategic priorities into clear, compelling narratives and deliverables.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, stakeholders, and timelines.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting senior executives or working in a highly visible strategy, business-planning, operations, or Chief of Staff-style capacity.
Experience managing business-planning cycles, performance routines, and governance forums.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with ambiguity, visibility, and evolving leadership priorities.
Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate annual planning cycles, including capital readiness activities, business-planning deliverables, and cross-functional inputs for senior leadership decision-making.
Conduct in-depth strategic research.
Support executive-level planning and coordination, including leadership engagements, travel agendas, operating rhythms, meeting preparation, and follow-up actions.
Partner with the Office of the COO to align leadership priorities, governance routines, communications, and operational execution.
Work with a companion director focused on culture, communications, and talent strategy to coordinate strategy, people, planning, and engagement priorities.
Optimize strategic initiatives and planning by challenging cost-benefit investments involving significant monetary commitments and supporting the SBU’s strategic direction.
Analyze, research, and develop complex materials and documents relating to health issues.
Prepare white papers on selected healthcare topics and create supporting materials, including graphic presentations and executive talking points.
Manage special projects as directed by executive management.
Coordinate with Corporate Strategic Planning to align the SBU with corporate strategies.
Hire, train, coach, counsel, and evaluate the performance of direct reports.