[Hiring] Behavioral Health Clinical Program Director @The Cigna Group

Role Description

Evernorth Behavioral Health is seeking a strategic clinical leader to direct the Clinical Program department and advance behavioral health programs that improve outcomes for members, customers, providers, and the business. This role combines clinical expertise, people leadership, program governance, quality oversight, research, and enterprise influence. The Clinical Program Director leads department leaders and teams, establishes priorities and accountability, and partners across Product, Network, Clinical Operations, Medical, Quality, Analytics, and other functions to translate evidence and strategy into scalable, measurable programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Department and Strategic Leadership:
  • Set the strategic direction for behavioral health clinical programs.
  • Align leaders and teams around clear priorities, decision rights, performance expectations, and accountability.
  • Build leadership capability, develop talent, and foster an integrated, high-performing department.
  • Serve as a trusted clinical advisor and represent the department with senior leaders, customers, partners, and industry audiences.
• Program Development, Governance, and Execution:
  • Oversee the full program lifecycle—from opportunity assessment and evidence-based design through implementation, evaluation, optimization, scaling, and transition to sustainable operations.
  • Establish clinical standards, governance, measures, documentation, and operating models for consistent execution.
• Clinical Excellence, Quality, and Risk:
  • Advance evidence-based frameworks, guidelines, curricula, and measurement-informed care approaches.
  • Provide strategic oversight of quality reviews, external audits, complaints, escalations, and clinical risks.
• Research, Analytics, and Thought Leadership:
  • Use research, analytics, and clinical evidence to identify opportunities and evaluate performance.
  • Translate complex evidence and program results into clear recommendations and thought leadership.
• Cross-Functional Partnership:
  • Partner across the enterprise to align clinical strategy, program design, implementation, measurement, risk management, and market needs.
  • Collaborate with various departments to develop clinically sound, operationally scalable solutions.
  • Support Sales, Account Management, customers, and external partners with clinical expertise.

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted behavioral health clinical license (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist).
• Five or more years leading complex clinical programs or multidisciplinary teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based behavioral health practices and quality standards.
• Demonstrated ability to use research and analytics to shape strategy and evaluate performance.
• Executive-level communication, influence, talent development, and accountability skills.

Requirements

• Experience with clinical research, publications, thought leadership, curricula, or professional education.
• Experience representing clinical programs with customers, partners, or industry audiences.

Benefits

• Comprehensive range of health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being programs.
• 401(k) and company paid life insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement and a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year.
• Paid holidays and leaves of absence.
• Annual salary range of 152,900 - 254,900 USD, depending on experience and location.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus and long-term incentive plan.