Manager, Benefits Navigation, Health Equity

United Way of New York City•New York, NY

27d•$65,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Benefits Navigation, Health Equity supports a portfolio of community-based organizations (CBOs) in building capacity for healthcare coverage and benefits navigation through United Way of New York City’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver Initiative and United for Benefits Access program. The Manager assesses partner needs and delivers hands-on training and technical assistance to strengthen CBO capacity for Medicaid and public benefits screening, enrollment, recertification, and navigation. The role helps partners prepare for evolving requirements and integrate benefits navigation into existing services and workflows. The Manager also supports UWNYC’s broader 1115 Waiver strategy, policy analysis, and sustainability planning. Responsibilities include monitoring and translating federal and New York State Medicaid policy developments, assessing their implications for CBO partners and communities, and planning for the future of community-based social care and benefits access infrastructure beyond the current demonstration period. The position is grant-funded through March 31, 2027, and reports to the Director, 1115 Medicaid Waiver Initiative, Health Equity. UWNYC currently follows a hybrid/in-person work schedule, and the role requires regular travel across New York City’s five boroughs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social work, or a related field required; alternatively, a master’s degree in one of these fields or a related field with a minimum of two years’ work experience is listed.
A minimum of three years of relevant work experience in community-based health, human services, or public sector programs; the posting also specifies a minimum of two years’ work experience with a relevant master’s degree.
Demonstrated knowledge of Medicaid policy and programs, including eligibility, enrollment, recertification, coverage, and access to care.
Experience applying Medicaid knowledge in a programmatic, policy, enrollment/navigation, healthcare delivery, or community-based setting.
Ability to monitor, interpret, and synthesize complex federal and state Medicaid policy developments and translate them into operational and strategic implications for diverse audiences.
Experience delivering hands-on training and technical assistance to CBOs or frontline staff, focused on practical, sustainable skills and workflows.
Ability to translate complex policy changes, including waiver requirements, eligibility and enrollment changes, and work or community engagement requirements, into actionable frontline guidance.
Experience supporting service delivery integration, including benefits navigation in existing programs, case management systems, or referral platforms.
Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including CBOs, government partners, healthcare providers, and health and social service organizations.
Excellent research, writing, communication, and facilitation skills, including synthesizing complex policy and program information for frontline staff, leadership, funders, and external stakeholders.
Strong project management and execution skills, including managing multiple workstreams, prioritizing effectively, and driving progress in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.
Knowledge of health equity principles, social determinants of health, and the New York City health and social care landscape.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Willingness to travel regularly across the five boroughs for on-site training and partner engagement.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with New York State Medicaid eligibility and enrollment processes and infrastructure, including Medicaid Assistors, Certified Application Counselors, Navigators, or other enrollment-assistance models.
Knowledge of New York’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver, Social Care Networks, Health-Related Social Needs services, and the role of CBOs within Medicaid delivery and social care infrastructure.
Experience with policy analysis, program strategy, sustainability planning, or healthcare financing.
Experience with SNAP or other public benefits programs and understanding of how healthcare coverage and public benefits intersect for low-income New Yorkers.
Experience with case management or referral platforms such as FindHelp or Unite Us.

Responsibilities

Conduct structured needs assessments across CBO partners to identify gaps in benefits navigation, enrollment capacity, and workflow integration.
Research Medicaid and SNAP policies and Social Care Network requirements, stay current on developments, and translate updates into practical partner guidance.
Develop and deliver train-the-trainer curricula and practical tools for benefits screening, enrollment, recertification, and navigation workflows.
Provide hands-on technical assistance through individual coaching, site visits, and small-group training.
Support CBOs in integrating benefits navigation into existing service delivery workflows, including case management and referral platforms.
Prioritize capacity-building to prepare partners for policy milestones, including anticipated benefits enrollment and Medicaid work requirements.
Help CBOs understand Medicaid enrollment assistor agency designation and staff certification pathways, assess readiness, and coordinate training and oversight.
Support CBOs in tracking performance indicators and using data to improve service delivery and outcomes.
Support onboarding of new CBO partners and help them access capacity-building resources such as staffing, technology, and training funds.
Collaborate with UWNYC internal teams to align benefits navigation strategies, identify systemic gaps, and improve service delivery and access.
Monitor and synthesize federal and New York State Medicaid policy developments relevant to UWNYC programs and community partners.
Assess operational implications of Medicaid policy changes and translate them into program recommendations, implementation guidance, and capacity-building priorities.
Support Health Equity leadership in developing sustainability and evolution strategies for UWNYC’s 1115 Waiver work, including planning for potential changes to or extension of the demonstration.
Research options for sustaining community-based social care, benefits navigation, and Medicaid access infrastructure through Medicaid financing, state initiatives, philanthropy, or other funding mechanisms.
Support development of policy briefs, internal analyses, presentations, funding proposals, and other materials about CBOs’ role in Medicaid access, social care, and coverage continuity.
Collaborate with Government Relations & Advocacy and program teams on emerging Medicaid policy issues, implementation challenges, and policy and systems-level solutions.
Analyze program data, partner feedback, and implementation lessons to inform Medicaid strategy and demonstrate the value of community-based infrastructure.
Build and maintain trusted-advisor relationships with CBO partners on Medicaid and public benefits navigation, capacity-building, and implementation.
Facilitate peer learning among CBOs on effective enrollment, recertification, and workflow integration practices.
Engage healthcare, Social Care Network, and other external partners to support implementation and strengthen connections between CBOs and the broader Medicaid delivery system.
Assume other responsibilities as assigned to meet business and operational needs.