Associate Director, Research Science – Stars Decision Science

Overview

Associate Director, Research Science – leading a team of scientists and engineers in developing advanced analytics, optimization frameworks, and decision science methodologies that transform complex business problems into actionable recommendations to improve Medicare Advantage Star Rating performance.

Location:

Remote with a strong preference for a hybrid office in Louisville, KY.

• Create decision‑making frameworks that support evidence‑based choices across quality and operational teams.
• Build decision‑science capabilities to prioritize opportunities based on impact, feasibility and financial value.
• Design simulation frameworks to evaluate potential outcomes under alternative business strategies.
• Advance existing team capabilities to simplify insight generation and decision‑making for internal partners.
• Deliver executive‑ready recommendations that link analytics to business action.

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Operations Research or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in healthcare analytics, decision science, actuarial science, strategy analytics or related fields.
• 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience with optimization modeling and decision‑science frameworks.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and analytical programming languages such as Python, R, or SAS.
• Strong proficiency with Databricks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex findings to executive audiences.
• Experience influencing strategic business decisions through data‑driven insights.

• Master’s degree in one of the core fields listed above.
• Strong knowledge of CMS Medicare Advantage Star Rating program, including its methodology and individual measures.

The compensation range reflects a good‑faith estimate of starting base pay for full‑time (40‑hour week) employment: $150,000 – $206,300 per year. The role is eligible for a bonus incentive plan based on company and/or individual performance.

Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid time off, volunteer time off, parental and caregiver leave, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance and additional wellness programs.

Travel:
Occasional travel to Humana offices may be required.

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

40.

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements.

This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.

Humana complies with all applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. We also provide free language interpreter services. See our