Associate Director, Research Science – Stars Decision Science

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Come join the Performance and Decision Intelligence team within the larger Stars Analytics organization at Humana!

The Associate Director, Research Science is responsible for leading the development and application of advanced analytics, optimization frameworks, and decision science methodologies that translate complex business problems into actionable recommendations. This role will also provide leadership for a team of scientists and engineers, building organizational capabilities that strengthen Star Rating performance across the enterprise.

Location: Remote, strong preference for hybrid office in Louisville, KY

The Associate Director, Research Science is equipped with a variety of skills enabling them to drive decision-making under the condition of uncertainty and facilitate decision-making by groups. This role will inject decision science concepts into the analytical workflow across the department, enabling richer insights and clear visibility to trade-offs. This role employs risk and decision analysis techniques, such as decision trees and Bayesian modeling, to quantify benefits and risks of various decisions impacting our Medicare Advantage members, their health and our quality performance scores. Routine responsibilities include:

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

Use your skills to make an impact

Role Essentials

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Operations Research or any field
• 6 or more years in healthcare analytics, decision science, actuarial science, strategy analytics and/or related fields
• 3 or more years of leadership experience
• Experience with optimization modeling and decision science frameworks
• Strong proficiency with SQL and analytical programming languages such as Python, R, or SAS
• Strong proficiency with Databricks
• Demonstrated ability to articulate ideas effectively in both written and oral forms
• Ability to communicate complex analytical findings to executive audiences
• Experience influencing strategic business decisions through data-driven insights

Role Desirables

• Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Operations Research or related field
• Strong knowledge of CMS Medicare Advantage Star Rating program, including methodology and individual measures

Additional Information

To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees' ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria:

• At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is recommended; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested
• Satellite, cellular and microwave connection can be used only if approved by leadership
• Employees who live and work from Home in the state of California, Illinois, Montana, or South Dakota will be provided a bi-weekly payment for their internet expense.
• Humana will provide Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees with telephone equipment appropriate to meet the business requirements for their position/job.
• Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.

As part of our hiring process for this opportunity, we will be using an interviewing technology called HireVue to enhance our hiring and decision-making ability.

Humana values personal identity protection. Please be aware that applicants may be asked to provide their Social Security Number, if it is not already on file.

Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.

$150,000 - $206,300 per year

This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan.

Description of Benefits

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, "Humana") offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.

Application Deadline: 06-22-2026

About us

About Humana: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.