Director of AI Transformation & Strategic Initiatives

Position Overview Empower. Unite. Care. MetroPlus Health is committed to empowering New Yorkers by uniting communities through care. We believe that Health care is a right, not a privilege. If you have compassion and a collaborative spirit, work with us. You can come to work being proud of what you do every day. MetroPlus Health is seeking a forward-thinking Director of AI Innovation & Strategic Initiatives to lead the identification, evaluation, and implementation of artificial intelligence solutions that advance the organization's mission to deliver high-quality, equitable, and accessible care to New Yorkers. This role will drive AI-related strategy, manage pilots and execution, cultivate vendor partnerships, and perform ongoing market and technology research to ensure MetroPlus Health remains at the forefront of digital transformation. This position plays a critical role in helping MetroPlus Health leverage AI to: Improve member experience Streamline operations Enhance clinical decision support Drive cost savings Innovate on behalf of New Yorkers who depend on the health plan This is a matrixed management position with direct oversight of project resources. Scope of Role & Responsibilities AI Strategy & Opportunity Identification Identify high-impact AI use cases that align with MetroPlusHealth's clinical, operational, and member experience priorities. Conduct assessments to determine feasibility, risks, and expected ROI for potential AI initiatives. Collaborate with leaders across clinical, operations, population health, claims, and member engagement areas to uncover pain points and opportunities for AI-driven improvements. Lead Execution of AI Pilots & Programs Oversee end-to-end design, planning, and delivery of AI pilots, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, compliance, and data governance standards. Manage project timelines, milestones, outcomes tracking, and post-pilot evaluation. Drive cross-functional coordination with IT, data analytics, clinical operations, and compliance. Vendor Engagement & Relationship Management Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with AI technology vendors, startups, and strategic partners. Conduct due diligence on capabilities, privacy/security standards, and integration requirements. Serve as the primary liaison between MetroPlusHealth and external AI solution providers. Market Research & Landscape Monitoring Continuously monitor trends in AI, generative AI, machine learning, automation, and healthcare innovation. Benchmark MetroPlusHealth's approach against industry best practices. Prepare insights reports and recommendations for executive leadership, highlighting emerging technologies and competitive opportunities. Cross-Functional Partnership & Change Management Collaborate with IT, legal, compliance, data governance, and clinical leaders to ensure safe, ethical, and compliant adoption of AI. Support change management and user adoption for new AI tools and workflows. Communicate progress and outcomes to senior leadership and stakeholders. Required Education, Training & Professional Experience Bachelor's degree required; Master's in Business, Health Administration, Data/AI, or related field preferred. 7-10+ years of experience in digital transformation, AI/ML initiatives, healthcare technology, or innovation roles. Experience leading AI product pilots, digital projects, or emerging technology programs. Strong understanding of healthcare operations, health plans, regulatory requirements (HIPAA, CMS, etc.). Demonstrated ability to work with vendors, evaluate AI solutions, and manage technical partnerships. Strategic thinker with excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills. Professional Competencies Strategic Planning & Execution Vendor & Partner Management Emerging Technology Evaluation Data-Driven Decision Making Cross-functional Leadership Innovation Mindset Change Management #LI-Hybrid #MPH50