Sr. Director, Data Science

Description

Clarity on the Role:

Wellvana is looking for a Sr. Director of Data Science to lead the development of data science capabilities that deliver actionable models to drive informed decision making by both internal and external partners in our value-based care contracts. This role requires expertise in identification and risk stratification, population health, value-based care, risk adjustment methodologies, and data analytics, as well as strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.  

The Sr. Director of Data Science serves as the strategic and technical leader for all predictive modeling and advanced analytics supporting Medicare physician value-based care programs and will be instrumental in building an onshore and offshore team as we expand our business.

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute the data science strategy for Medicare value-based care, focusing on risk identification, stratification, and predictive modeling
• Build, maintain and evaluate models for high-risk/rising-risk identification, avoidable utilization, chronic condition progression, and care-management prioritization
• Collaborate with clinical and operations teams to embed predictive insights into workflows and provider platforms.
• Oversee model governance, monitoring, and ML Ops pipelines to ensure reliability and scalability
• Manage data science talent, establish best practices, and guide execution across projects
• Work cross-functionally with clinical, analytics, actuarial, engineering, and partner success teams to support organizational goals
• Defines data science strategies and methodologies for specific projects, applying domain knowledge and expertise to drive impactful outcomes
• Conducts assessments for data science initiatives, such as identifying potential vulnerabilities, proposing mitigation strategies, and rationalization and selection of preferred AI/ML technology 
• Manage team performance through regular, timely feedback as well as the formal performance review process to ensure delivery of exceptional services and engagement, motivation, and team development
• Stays abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, continuously enhancing skills and knowledge to contribute effectively as an independent contributor in the field of data science

Requirements

What’s Required:

• Integrity: The right way is the only way. 
• Dependability: You do what you say you’re going to do. 
• Advocacy: You fight for the best possible outcome for providers and their patients. 
• Clarity: You make it all understandable. 
• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Actuarial Science, Statistics, Economics, or Mathematics. Advanced degree is a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in healthcare data science with deep knowledge of Medicare Advantage and value-based care.
• Proven success developing and operationalizing risk models.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Expertise in Python or R, cloud-based ML platforms, and modern ML Ops practices.
• Extensive experience in healthcare analytics (10+ years), with a focus on population health management, value-based care, and risk adjustment
• The ideal candidate has worked previously with a healthcare payer or risk bearing entity
• Strong knowledge of healthcare data sources, including electronic health records (EHRs), claims data, social determinants of health (SDOH), CMS Virtual Research Data Center (VRDC) and other relevant data sets
• Deep understanding of value-based care models, including risk adjustment methodologies (e.g., HCC)
• Experience with healthcare analytics platforms and technologies, such as data warehouses, business intelligence tools, and machine learning frameworks
• Proven track record of driving successful analytics initiatives and achieving measurable outcomes in population health management and value-based care
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex analytics concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, clinicians, and non-technical stakeholders
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
• Familiarity with healthcare regulatory and related requirements, such as HIPAA, PHI, HCC, ICD-10, etc. and a commitment to maintaining data privacy and security
• Familiarity with claims grouping software and output such as Optum Symmetry Groupers or Milliman HCG Groupers
• Preference given to Nashville based candidates or those open to relocating to Nashville