Senior Policy and Analytics Manager – Medicaid Institute

Background

United Hospital Fund (UHF) is an independent, nonprofit organization working to build a more effective and equitable health care system for all New Yorkers, one that is affordable and accessible, provides better patient experience and the highest quality of care, and achieves optimal outcomes.

UHF’s Medicaid Institute works to achieve this vision by informing policymakers and the public on key Medicaid issues to help strengthen the program, which is a vital source of coverage and health care for more than 7 million New Yorkers. The Medicaid Institute has been at the forefront of numerous high-profile initiatives over the past few years including analyzing Promising Practices during the DSRIP waiver, developing health equity policies for the new Medicaid waiver, creating a medical respite program for people who are homeless, leading the First 1,000 Days on Medicaid initiative to support children’s early childhood development, and developing children’s value-based payment reforms to support the workforce and incentivize better quality care.

Position Summary

The Senior Policy and Analytics Manager plays a leadership role within the Medicaid Institute, overseeing the design and execution of research and analysis projects that inform policy and practice to strengthen New York’s Medicaid program.

This position requires expertise in health policy, strong data analysis and research skills, and the ability to manage projects from concept to dissemination. The Manager will serve as a subject matter lead for assigned policy areas, guide research staff, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to advance UHF’s mission.

Specific Duties

• Lead quantitative and qualitative research projects from scoping to dissemination, ensuring methodological rigor, policy relevance, and timely completion.
• Supervise and mentor research staff, fellows, or interns, providing guidance on research design, analysis, and professional development.
• Collect and synthesize timely, policy-relevant information from program administrators, researchers, and advocates by monitoring websites, publications, and frequent stakeholder meetings. Produce actionable memos, briefs, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Develop and maintain deep expertise on Medicaid policy topics and subpopulations, such as eligibility and enrollment, managed care, value-based payment, behavioral health, children’s health, long-term care, and health-related social needs.
• Track and analyze state and federal Medicaid policy changes and assess potential impacts on beneficiaries, providers, health plans, and the program overall.
• Identify, acquire, and manage quantitative data from primary and secondary sources (e.g., Medicaid claims files, hospital discharge data, provider databases). Conduct analyses using Salient Interactive Miner, Excel, and statistical software (SAS, Stata, R).
• Manage relationships with external data providers, consultants, and collaborators, ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Produce high-quality briefs, reports, data visualizations, and presentations tailored to policymakers, providers, advocates, and the public.
• Develop interview protocols and lead qualitative interviews with senior stakeholders such as state officials, providers, health plans, and advocates. Analyze findings and translate them into actionable recommendations.
• Represent UHF and the Medicaid Institute externally by presenting research findings at conferences, convenings, and policy forums.
• Contribute to strategic planning and priority setting for the Medicaid Institute’s research agenda by identifying emerging policy issues and opportunities for impact.

Employment Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in health policy, public health, health administration, economics, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research, policy analysis, program evaluation, or health care/public health administration.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects and/or supervising staff.
• Direct experience with Medicaid (as a beneficiary, in a health plan, state program, or research role) strongly valued.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Proven ability to design, lead, and manage research projects from start to finish.
2. Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills; proficiency in statistical software and/or data visualization platforms.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to translate complex findings into clear messages for diverse audiences.
4. Strong organizational and prioritization skills; able to oversee multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
5. Demonstrated experience supervising staff, consultants, or project teams.
6. Strong interpersonal skills; able to build and maintain collaborative relationships with policymakers, providers, advocates, and researchers.
7. Commitment to advancing equity, including addressing racism and bias in health care.
8. Strategic thinker and proactive problem-solver, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues and shape policy discussions.