Expert Program Manager - Payment Integrity

Delta Dental•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Expert Program Manager is a strategic, cross-functional leader within the Payment Integrity organization. The role partners with leadership and multiple business teams to translate strategic priorities into actionable work plans and drive execution of key initiatives. It brings structure, visibility, and accountability to complex programs spanning data, analytics, technology, operational improvement, and emerging AI capabilities. The role facilitates planning, coordinates execution across teams, manages dependencies and risks, and ensures initiatives are delivered on time and aligned with organizational objectives. The ideal candidate has extensive experience leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives in fast-paced environments and can turn complex strategies into manageable workstreams, clear execution plans, and measurable progress through influence, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 7 years of program management, project management, or related leadership experience.
Demonstrated success leading large, complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders and teams in fast-paced, evolving environments.
Healthcare, health insurance, payment integrity, analytics, or related industry experience.
Strong program and project management expertise, including breaking complex initiatives into manageable workstreams and execution plans.
Proven ability to drive execution and deliver results across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
Experience supporting initiatives involving data infrastructure, data warehousing, reporting, analytics, or technology implementations.
Working knowledge of Agile methodologies, Scrum practices, and iterative planning approaches.
Experience using project and analytics tools such as Jira, Confluence, Power BI, Tableau, JMP, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong influencing, facilitation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Experience operating in environments undergoing transformation and organizational change.
Demonstrated ability to bring clarity, structure, and momentum to evolving programs and strategic initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics initiatives.

Responsibilities

Translate long-term strategic objectives into actionable work plans and 12-week planning cycles.
Drive execution of complex programs and projects across Payment Integrity teams and business functions.
Create structure, visibility, and accountability around priorities, deliverables, timelines, and outcomes.
Develop and maintain integrated program plans, roadmaps, milestones, and leadership status reporting.
Identify, monitor, and manage program risks, issues, dependencies, and decision points.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to align business and technology teams.
Lead stakeholder communications and executive reporting on program health, accomplishments, challenges, and key decisions.
Support initiatives involving data infrastructure, data warehousing, vendor solutions, analytics platforms, and emerging AI and machine learning capabilities.
Coordinate planning and execution using Agile methodologies, organizing work into manageable workstreams and sprints where appropriate.
Develop presentation materials and executive-level communications to support strategic decision-making.
Partner with business leaders to prioritize work, address obstacles, and support successful delivery of organizational goals.
Maintain program documentation and knowledge repositories to support transparency and organizational effectiveness.
Drive continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, and team collaboration practices.