Principal Quantitative Researcher - Federal Health Programs

Commence • Washington, DC

6d • $160,000 - $200,000 • Remote

About The Position

At Commence, we’re the start of a new age of data-centric transformation, elevating health outcomes and powering better, more efficient process to program and patient health. We combine quality data-driven solutions that fuel answers, technology that advances performance, and clinical expertise that builds trust to create a more efficient path to quality care. With human-centered, healthcare-relevant, and value-based solutions, we create new possibilities with data. We provide proof beyond the concept and performance beyond the scope with a focus on efficiencies that transform the lives of those we serve. With a culture driven by purpose, straightforward communication and clinical domain expertise, Commence cuts straight to better care.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in economics, health services research, health policy, public health, or a related field with 9+ years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with 13+ years.
• Hands-on experience monitoring CMS/CMMI alternative payment models.
• Working knowledge of APM and value-based care mechanics: beneficiary attribution, quality scoring, capitated payments, bundled payments, financial incentives, benchmarking, risk adjustment.
• Experience with Medicare and/or Medicaid administrative and claims data (e.g., CCW, IDR, VRDC).
• Clear and concise writing for federal audiences; proposal-writing experience.
• Principal level: experience leading major tasks or projects and managing and mentoring staff.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. and able to obtain and maintain a CMS-required background investigation (public trust).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Databricks or other cloud analytics platforms and with Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Proficiency in SAS, R, Python, or SQL.

Responsibilities

• Lead the translation of model design documents and participation agreements into monitoring specifications using Medicare claims, enrollment, and participant-reported data.
• Design monitoring frameworks for CMMI models: logic models, measures, data sources, benchmarks, analytic methods, and reporting.
• Detect and investigate unintended consequences such as risk selection, coding intensity, care stinting, and shifts in referral or site-of-care patterns.
• Partner with data scientists and engineers to build dashboards, automated reporting, and ML-based anomaly detection and early-warning signals on the Commence platform.
• Lead the write-up of monitoring reports, briefings, and risk summaries for CMMI model teams, turning findings into clear, actionable recommendations
• Lead the design and write up of technical approaches for CMS/CMMI and other federal agency proposals and serve in key project roles.
• Lead the identification and implementation of monitoring methods to our quality measurement and payment incentive work for CMS and state partners; mentor junior researchers and analysts.
• Effectively manage teams, set priorities, coordinate tasks, engage clients and stakeholders, and ensure high-quality reports and products are delivered on time and within budget.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity employer.
• Merit-based personnel processes.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree