Healthcare Data Architect

About Cognizant

Cognizant is one of the world''s leading professional services companies, helping clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences. We engineer modern businesses to improve everyday life. Our associates around the globe help clients build stronger, more agile, and innovative organizations.

Our Data, Analytics, Cloud, and AI teams partner with leading healthcare organizations to modernize legacy platforms, unlock the value of data, and accelerate digital transformation. We help healthcare payers leverage cloud, analytics, AI, and modern data architectures to improve member experiences, operational performance, regulatory compliance, and business outcomes.

Role Overview

Cognizant is seeking an experienced Healthcare Data & Cloud Transformation Lead to support a leading Healthcare Payer organization. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring deep expertise in healthcare, cloud transformation, enterprise architecture, and data modernization.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to client executives, helping shape and drive strategic technology initiatives across cloud, data, analytics, and digital transformation programs. This role requires both strategic vision and hands-on architecture leadership to guide organizations through large-scale modernization initiatives leveraging AWS, Snowflake, Databricks, and modern data platforms.

The ideal candidate combines healthcare payer expertise with cloud and data architecture leadership and has a proven track record of leading enterprise transformation programs.

Work Model

This position follows a hybrid work model based in St. Louis, Missouri. Team members are expected to work onsite and remotely as required by business and client needs.

Periodic travel may be required to support client meetings, strategic planning sessions, leadership workshops, and program execution activities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Technology Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive business and technology stakeholders on cloud, data, analytics, AI, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Define and drive enterprise technology vision, modernization strategies, and transformation roadmaps aligned to business objectives.
• Develop strategic architecture blueprints that enable scalable and future-ready healthcare platforms.
• Provide executive-level guidance on technology investments, modernization priorities, and innovation opportunities.

Cloud & Data Transformation

• Lead large-scale cloud migration and modernization initiatives across healthcare payer organizations.

• Design and oversee implementation of modern:

• Data Warehouses

• Data Lakes

• Lakehouse Architectures

• Cloud-Native Analytics Platforms

• Drive adoption of cloud-first architectures utilizing AWS, Snowflake, Databricks, and related technologies.

• Develop strategies that improve data accessibility, scalability, governance, and operational efficiency.

Healthcare Data & Analytics Architecture

• Define enterprise data architecture frameworks supporting analytics, reporting, AI, and operational decision-making.

• Provide guidance on healthcare data ecosystems, regulatory requirements, and payer business processes.

• Support modernization of healthcare data platforms used for:

• Claims Processing

• Member Management

• Provider Management

• Care Management

• Population Health

• Regulatory Reporting

• Ensure architecture decisions align with organizational goals and compliance requirements.

Executive Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technology teams.
• Facilitate strategic workshops and technology planning sessions.
• Present architecture recommendations, transformation roadmaps, and modernization strategies to senior leadership.
• Influence organizational decision-making through thought leadership and business-focused technology guidance.

Innovation & Emerging Technologies

• Provide thought leadership around emerging technologies including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Generative AI

• Advanced Analytics

• Cloud-Native Architectures

• Data Governance Platforms

• Modern Data Management Solutions

• Evaluate new technologies and identify opportunities to create business value.

• Support innovation programs and enterprise modernization initiatives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor architecture, engineering, and consulting teams.
• Establish technology standards, architectural best practices, and governance frameworks.
• Foster collaboration across business, delivery, engineering, and client teams.
• Support capability development and talent growth within the organization.

Program & Transformation Leadership

• Lead large-scale transformation initiatives involving cloud, data, analytics, and enterprise modernization.
• Manage architecture governance, solution reviews, and strategic program oversight.
• Ensure technology initiatives deliver measurable business outcomes and long-term organizational value.
• Drive successful execution of complex enterprise transformation programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

• 15+ years of experience in:

• Data Architecture

• Analytics Platforms

• Cloud Architecture

• Enterprise Architecture

• Technology Transformation

• Deep Healthcare Payer domain expertise, including:

• Claims

• Membership

• Provider Networks

• Care Management

• Population Health

• Regulatory Reporting

• Strong hands-on experience with:

• AWS

• Snowflake

• Databricks

• Experience designing and implementing:

• Data Warehouses

• Data Lakes

• Lakehouse Architectures

• Enterprise Data Platforms

• Exposure to:

• Microsoft Azure

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

• Proven experience developing:

• Technology Vision

• Enterprise Architecture Blueprints

• Cloud Strategies

• Transformation Roadmaps

• Strong consulting and advisory skills with executive-level clients.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management abilities.

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation programs and high-performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with large healthcare payer organizations.

• Knowledge of Teradata and legacy healthcare data ecosystems.

• Experience with:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Generative AI

• Data Governance Platforms

• Data Management Solutions

• AWS, Snowflake, Databricks, or Cloud Architecture certifications.

• Experience leading enterprise cloud and analytics modernization initiatives.

• Familiarity with healthcare interoperability and data management practices.

Domain Expertise

Candidates should demonstrate expertise in:

• Healthcare Payer Operations
• Enterprise Architecture
• Cloud Transformation
• AWS Cloud Services
• Snowflake
• Databricks
• Data Warehousing
• Data Lakes
• Lakehouse Architectures
• Data Governance
• Advanced Analytics
• Healthcare Data Strategy
• Population Health
• Regulatory Reporting
• AI & Generative AI
• Digital Transformation

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is anticipated to be between $155,000 and $170,000 USD, depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for:

• Annual performance-based bonus
• Merit-based compensation increases
• Employee referral bonuses, where applicable

The compensation information provided is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify compensation information based on business needs and applicable laws.

Benefits

Cognizant offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life Insurance and AD&D Coverage
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
• 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (where available)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Parental Leave and Family Care Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development Programs
• Access to Learning, Certification, and Career Development Opportunities

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and plan terms.

Why Cognizant

• Partner with leading healthcare payer organizations undergoing enterprise transformation.
• Influence strategic technology decisions at the executive level.
• Lead cutting-edge cloud, data, analytics, and AI initiatives.
• Work with industry-leading technologies including AWS, Snowflake, and Databricks.
• Collaborate with talented architects, engineers, and healthcare experts.
• Access industry-leading training, certifications, and leadership development opportunities.
• Be part of a global organization committed to innovation, excellence, and client success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all associates feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Additional employment information

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants for US based positions must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for US based positions.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com for roles based in the Americas or CareersIndia2@cognizant.com for roles based in India.

About Cognizant:

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.