The VP of InQbator Data Science will drive healthcare innovation by enhancing the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of automated, evidence-based clinical decision-making to achieve improved outcomes and reduced cost of care. Provide executive leadership, planning, and oversight for all areas of Data Science strategy, development, and product implementation.
This role owns the Evicore Medical Benefit Services (MBM) data science function responsible for predictive modeling, AI/ML and large language model (LLM) development, workflow automation, and analytical infrastructure connecting clinical data to operational outcomes. Working in close collaboration with clinical, operational, product, and technology leadership, the leader will define and execute the organization’s AI strategy, including production AI pipelines, real-time decision support tools, and scalable automation solutions.
The role will lead the full lifecycle of advanced analytics—from research and validation through deployment, monitoring, and governance—while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and clinical best practices. The leader will also build and mentor a high-performing data science organization and drive innovation in areas such as intelligent automation and AI-assisted prior authorization.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- AI Development and Ownership
- Design, build, and scale production-grade automation that transform structured and unstructured clinical and operational data into actionable insights.
- Own the end-to-end lifecycle of machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI models, including development, validation, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
- Develop algorithms, applications, and large-scale experimentation frameworks to improve clinical decision support, prior authorization automation, and operational throughput.
- Establish automated validation and quality assurance frameworks to ensure accuracy, consistency, and explainability of AI outputs at scale.
Data Platform and Analytics Modernization
- Lead modernization of enterprise data infrastructure, including migration to scalable cloud and lake-house architectures supporting real-time analytics and AI workloads.
- Build and maintain integrated data pipelines combining clinical, operational, and administrative datasets to enable advanced modeling and reporting.
- Enable self-service analytics capabilities and data-driven applications that translate data into actionable business intelligence.
Clinical and Operational AI Strategy
- Define and execute MBS AI strategy to improve clinical decision-making, quality reporting, and pathway optimization.
- Partner with clinical leadership to ensure models align with evidence-based guidelines and drive explainable AI outcomes.
- Lead development of forecasting models, capacity planning tools, and intelligent automation solutions that improve operational performance and user experience.
- Evaluate and implement emerging AI approaches, including LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation, and agentic workflows.
Leadership and Organizational Development
- Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing data science team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and technical excellence.
- Assist in developing a strategic roadmap and prioritization frameworks that align with business objectives.
- Collaborate with product, engineering, and agile teams to integrate data science into the software development lifecycle.
- Serve as a key executive stakeholder, translating complex technical insights into actionable strategies for clinical, operational, and executive audiences.
Governance and Compliance
- Ensure all AI and data science initiatives meet governance, audit, bias mitigation, and regulatory standards.
- Establish best practices for documentation, model transparency, and responsible AI deployment.]
MINIMUM EDUCATION, LICENSURE AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
- 8+ years of industry experience in data science or advanced analytics
- 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and delivering production AI solutions
- Demonstrated experience deploying machine learning and/or LLM solutions in complex, regulated environments.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Deep expertise in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Generative AI techniques
- Hands-on experience with cloud data platforms (e.g., Azure, Databricks) and modern data engineering practices.
- Strong programming experience (Linux, Python, SQL, JavaScript) and familiarity with distributed systems and big data frameworks (e.g., Spark, Hadoop).
- Experience building scalable data pipelines, AI workflows, and production systems.
- Healthcare data, clinical systems, or utilization management experience strongly preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence executive stakeholders.
- Deep technical expertise in AI/ML, including LLM development and deployment.
- Experience designing and scaling enterprise AI platforms and analytics ecosystems.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to translate complex findings into business insights.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with healthcare data and interoperability standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR) a plus.
- Proficiency in programming languages and tools such as Python, SQL, Linux, and big data technologies
If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.
For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 178,500 - 297,500 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.
This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus and long term incentive plan.
At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays. For more details on our employee benefits programs, click here.
About Evernorth Health Services
Evernorth Health Services, a division of The Cigna Group, creates pharmacy, care and benefit solutions to improve health and increase vitality. We relentlessly innovate to make the prediction, prevention and treatment of illness and disease more accessible to millions of people. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application process, please email seeyourself@thecignagroup.com for assistance. Please note that this email inbox is dedicated to accommodation requests only and cannot provide application updates or accept resumes.
Cigna has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.
Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.
