Associate Director, Product Strategy & Evaluation

Ready to help us transform healthcare? Bring your true colors to blue. 

What we need

The Associate Director of Product Strategy and Evaluation is responsible for driving the strategic front-end of the product lifecycle. Merging innovative product conceptualization with rigorous operational evaluation, this role is accountable for determining what we build next and ensuring every initiative is backed by a solid business case. You will lead cross-functional engagement, manage complex intake and prioritization processes, and oversee comprehensive product assessments and vendor partnerships to ensure our portfolio aligns with market needs and business goals.

This position is eligible for the Flex persona. Those living within 50 miles of a BCBSMA office (Boston or Hingham) are required to work in office twice a week, while those living farther than 50 miles will work remotely with a requirement to visit the office quarterly. This may change based on business need.

Your Day to Day

Product Roadmap Development & Management

• Roadmap Planning: Facilitate the development and ongoing management of the comprehensive product roadmap, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy.
• Portfolio Prioritization: Support the evaluation and prioritization of product initiatives against existing priorities and resource capacity within established frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Drive alignment and foster strong partnerships across key stakeholder groups, including Sales, Health & Medical Management (HMM), Network, Government & Regulatory Affairs (GRA), and Finance, through regular collaboration and communication.

High-Level Intake Analysis

• Market & Data Evaluation: In partnership with internal business SMEs, oversee high-level market scans and rigorous data validation to identify emerging market opportunities and competitive threats.
• Resource & Capability Identification: Determine the internal and external capabilities and resources required to bring proposed concepts to market.
• Product & Portfolio Viability: Ensure every proposed concept has a clearly defined target market, value proposition, operational footprint, and concrete success metrics. Critically evaluate each concept on its standalone merits while simultaneously assessing its strategic alignment with the broader business portfolio.
• Strategic Positioning: Consider broad market, segment and portfolio positioning and evaluate comprehensive prioritization considerations for new concepts.
• Executive Recommendations: Formulate and present definitive assessment recommendations to senior leadership based on intake findings.

Product Assessment & Business Case Development

• Business Planning: Lead development of robust business plans and compelling value propositions for all proposed products.
• RFP Execution: Direct Request for Proposal (RFP) processes and conduct comprehensive vendor assessments to source necessary product capabilities.
• Financial Rigor: Conduct thorough capability assessments, Return on Investment (ROI) or Value on Investment (VOI) projections, and detailed savings analyses to ensure financial viability.
• Performance Metrics: Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and measure the success of newly launched products.
• Governance: Present strategic assessments, business cases, and recommendations to Senior and Executive Leadership, as appropriate.

What You Bring

• Experience: 8–10 years of progressive experience in product strategy, product management, or a related leadership role within the healthcare/insurance industry.
• Leadership Skills: Strong track record of team leadership with the ability to build, motivate, and maintain a high performing team in a fast-paced cross functional environment.
• Strategic Acumen: Proven track record of managing the front-end of the product lifecycle, from initial ideation through business case development and feasibility assessment.
• Analytical Skills: Strong financial and analytical capability, with deep experience in conducting complex ROI projections and savings analyses.
• Communication: Excellent cross-functional communication skills with the ability to educate, engage, and influence stakeholders (Sales, HMM, Network, Finance) without direct authority.
• Vendor Management: Demonstrated experience leading vendor assessments, RFPs, and contract negotiations.

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Minimum Education Requirements:

High school degree or equivalent required unless otherwise noted above

Location

Time Type

The job posting range is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future.  An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs and affordability.

This job is also eligible for variable pay.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and a suite of well-being benefits to eligible employees.

Note:  No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

WHY Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA?

We understand that the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can  prevent  amazing candidates coming our way, so please don’t hesitate to apply. We’d love to hear from you. You might be just what we need for this role or possibly another one at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be brilliant. We encourage you to bring us your true colors, , your perspectives, and your experiences. It’s in our differences that we will remain relentless in our pursuit to transform healthcare for ALL.

As an employer, we are committed to investing in your development and providing the necessary resources to enable your success. Learn how we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and rewarding workplace that promotes excellence and provides opportunities for employees to forge their unique career path by visiting our Company Culture page. If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you. You can also join our Talent Community to stay “in the know” on all things Blue.

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, we believe in wellness and that work/life balance is a key part of associate wellbeing. For more information on how we work and support that work/life balance visit our "How We Work" Page.