Job Description
Full job description
Your Work
As the Program Manager, Principal, Product Strategy, you will play a central role in supporting the strategic development, evaluation, and execution of our behavioral health product portfolio. Working closely with the Director of Behavioral Health Product, and in collaboration with the Director of Partnerships & Programs, you will help translate strategy into execution across multiple initiatives that span clinical, technical, and policy domains.
This is a cross-functional role that blends product development, health policy, and external engagement. You will help manage the behavioral health product lifecycle, from market research and stakeholder engagement to business case development and implementation oversight. At the same time, you will contribute to external-facing efforts including policy positioning, grant strategy, and partnerships with academic institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations.
You will bring a rigorous, systems-level mindset to evaluating behavioral health gaps, identifying opportunities for innovation, and helping teams navigate complex regulatory, consumer, and equity considerations. Your work will influence how we design behavioral health programs, measure their success, and communicate their value, internally and externally.
We are building a future where behavioral health care is integrated, accessible, and accountable. This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven professional with a strong background in behavioral health policy, public program strategy, or government affairs to shape how care is delivered at scale.
Your Role
In this role, you will:
Support the Director of Behavioral Health Product in building and managing the behavioral health product roadmap, with a focus on user needs, clinical outcomes, and strategic alignment
Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and environmental scans to inform product strategy and identify unmet needs across populations
Draft and manage business case materials, implementation plans, and internal communications to drive alignment and decision-making
Coordinate product development activities across clinical, engineering, partnerships, and operations teams to ensure timely, quality delivery
Develop and apply program evaluation criteria to track performance, impact, and scalability of pilot and full-scale initiatives
Contribute to external communications and go-to-market messaging in partnership with marketing, communications, and government affairs
Support the Director of Partnerships & Programs with research, strategic planning, and execution related to grantmaking, policy alignment, and external engagement
Translate complex regulatory and policy concepts into clear, actionable insights for internal stakeholders
Prepare briefs, memos, presentations, and talking points for senior leadership, including external partners and funders
Monitor relevant behavioral health policy developments (e.g. parity, suicide prevention, digital mental health, SUD treatment) to inform strategy
Act as a connector across internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure initiatives are coordinated, compliant, and centered in health equity
Your Knowledge and Experience
Requires requires a college degree or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years of prior relevant experience.
Experience in health policy, public sector program strategy, behavioral health systems, or related domains preferred
Demonstrated experience supporting or managing behavioral health initiatives in government, payer, or large-scale nonprofit settings
Knowledge of Medicaid or other public health coverage models strongly preferred
Familiarity with behavioral health workforce, suicide prevention, SUD care models, digital therapeutics, or parity enforcement a plus
Experience managing interagency coordination, regulatory processes, and policy communications
Excellent writing, research, and presentation skills, including preparation of memos, policy briefs, and internal strategy documents
Comfort working across technical and clinical teams to bring clarity, coordination, and structure to complex initiatives
Deep commitment to advancing equitable, evidence-based behavioral health care for underserved communities
Experience with program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and public-private partnerships strongly preferred
ABOUT THE TEAM
About Blue Shield of California
As of January 2026, Blue Shield of California became a subsidiary of Ascendiun. Ascendiun is a nonprofit corporate entity that is the parent to a family of organizations including Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; Altais, a clinical services company; and Stellarus, a company designed to scale healthcare solutions. Together, these organizations are referred to as the Ascendiun Family of Companies.
At Blue Shield of California, our mission is to create a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable. We are transforming health care in a way that genuinely serves our nonprofit mission by lowering costs, improving quality, and enhancing the member and physician experience.
To achieve our mission, we foster an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the various communities we serve. We are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds our values and advances our goals.
Blue Shield is a U.S. News Best Company to work for, a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company and a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace. We were recognized by Fair360 as a Top Regional Company, and one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States by Points of Light. Here at Blue Shield, we strive to make a positive change across our industry and communities – join us!
Our Values:
Honest. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and integrity standards. We build trust by doing what we say we're going to do and by acknowledging and correcting where we fall short.
Human. We strive to listen and communicate effectively, showing empathy by understanding others' perspectives.
Courageous. We stand up for what we believe in and are committed to the hard work necessary to achieve our ambitious goals.
Our Workplace Model:
At Blue Shield of California and the Ascendiun Family of Companies, we believe in fostering a workplace environment that balances purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility. As we continue to evolve our workplace model, our focus remains on creating spaces where our people can connect with purpose – whether working in the office or through a hybrid approach – by providing clear expectations while respecting the diverse needs of our workforce.
Two Ways of Working:
Hybrid (Default): Work from a business unit-approved office at least two (2) times per month (for roles below Director-level) or once per week (for Director-level roles and above). Exceptions:
o Member-facing and approved out-of-state roles remain remote.
o Employees living more than 50 miles from their assigned offices are expected to work with their managers on a plan for periodic office visits.
o For employees with medical conditions that may impact their ability to work in-office, we are committed to engaging in an interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure their work environment is conducive to their success and well-being.
On-Site: Work from a business unit-approved office an average of four (4) or more days a week.
Physical Requirements:
Office Environment - roles involving part to full time schedule in Office Environment. Based in our physical offices and work from home office/deskwork - Activity level: Sedentary, frequency most of work day.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest records and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ****** orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability status and any other classification protected by Federal, State and local laws.
Your Work
As the Program Manager, Principal, Product Strategy, you will play a central role in supporting the strategic development, evaluation, and execution of our behavioral health product portfolio. Working closely with the Director of Behavioral Health Product, and in collaboration with the Director of Partnerships & Programs, you will help translate strategy into execution across multiple initiatives that span clinical, technical, and policy domains.
This is a cross-functional role that blends product development, health policy, and external engagement. You will help manage the behavioral health product lifecycle, from market research and stakeholder engagement to business case development and implementation oversight. At the same time, you will contribute to external-facing efforts including policy positioning, grant strategy, and partnerships with academic institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations.
You will bring a rigorous, systems-level mindset to evaluating behavioral health gaps, identifying opportunities for innovation, and helping teams navigate complex regulatory, consumer, and equity considerations. Your work will influence how we design behavioral health programs, measure their success, and communicate their value, internally and externally.
We are building a future where behavioral health care is integrated, accessible, and accountable. This is a unique opportunity for a mission-driven professional with a strong background in behavioral health policy, public program strategy, or government affairs to shape how care is delivered at scale.
Your Role
In this role, you will:
Support the Director of Behavioral Health Product in building and managing the behavioral health product roadmap, with a focus on user needs, clinical outcomes, and strategic alignment
Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and environmental scans to inform product strategy and identify unmet needs across populations
Draft and manage business case materials, implementation plans, and internal communications to drive alignment and decision-making
Coordinate product development activities across clinical, engineering, partnerships, and operations teams to ensure timely, quality delivery
Develop and apply program evaluation criteria to track performance, impact, and scalability of pilot and full-scale initiatives
Contribute to external communications and go-to-market messaging in partnership with marketing, communications, and government affairs
Support the Director of Partnerships & Programs with research, strategic planning, and execution related to grantmaking, policy alignment, and external engagement
Translate complex regulatory and policy concepts into clear, actionable insights for internal stakeholders
Prepare briefs, memos, presentations, and talking points for senior leadership, including external partners and funders
Monitor relevant behavioral health policy developments (e.g. parity, suicide prevention, digital mental health, SUD treatment) to inform strategy
Act as a connector across internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure initiatives are coordinated, compliant, and centered in health equity
Your Knowledge and Experience
Requires requires a college degree or equivalent experience and minimum 10 years of prior relevant experience.
Experience in health policy, public sector program strategy, behavioral health systems, or related domains preferred
Demonstrated experience supporting or managing behavioral health initiatives in government, payer, or large-scale nonprofit settings
Knowledge of Medicaid or other public health coverage models strongly preferred
Familiarity with behavioral health workforce, suicide prevention, SUD care models, digital therapeutics, or parity enforcement a plus
Experience managing interagency coordination, regulatory processes, and policy communications
Excellent writing, research, and presentation skills, including preparation of memos, policy briefs, and internal strategy documents
Comfort working across technical and clinical teams to bring clarity, coordination, and structure to complex initiatives
Deep commitment to advancing equitable, evidence-based behavioral health care for underserved communities
Experience with program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and public-private partnerships strongly preferred
ABOUT THE TEAM
About Blue Shield of California
As of January 2026, Blue Shield of California became a subsidiary of Ascendiun. Ascendiun is a nonprofit corporate entity that is the parent to a family of organizations including Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; Altais, a clinical services company; and Stellarus, a company designed to scale healthcare solutions. Together, these organizations are referred to as the Ascendiun Family of Companies.
At Blue Shield of California, our mission is to create a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable. We are transforming health care in a way that genuinely serves our nonprofit mission by lowering costs, improving quality, and enhancing the member and physician experience.
To achieve our mission, we foster an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the various communities we serve. We are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds our values and advances our goals.
Blue Shield is a U.S. News Best Company to work for, a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company and a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace. We were recognized by Fair360 as a Top Regional Company, and one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States by Points of Light. Here at Blue Shield, we strive to make a positive change across our industry and communities – join us!
Our Values:
Honest. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and integrity standards. We build trust by doing what we say we're going to do and by acknowledging and correcting where we fall short.
Human. We strive to listen and communicate effectively, showing empathy by understanding others' perspectives.
Courageous. We stand up for what we believe in and are committed to the hard work necessary to achieve our ambitious goals.
Our Workplace Model:
At Blue Shield of California and the Ascendiun Family of Companies, we believe in fostering a workplace environment that balances purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility. As we continue to evolve our workplace model, our focus remains on creating spaces where our people can connect with purpose – whether working in the office or through a hybrid approach – by providing clear expectations while respecting the diverse needs of our workforce.
Two Ways of Working:
Hybrid (Default): Work from a business unit-approved office at least two (2) times per month (for roles below Director-level) or once per week (for Director-level roles and above). Exceptions:
o Member-facing and approved out-of-state roles remain remote.
o Employees living more than 50 miles from their assigned offices are expected to work with their managers on a plan for periodic office visits.
o For employees with medical conditions that may impact their ability to work in-office, we are committed to engaging in an interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure their work environment is conducive to their success and well-being.
On-Site: Work from a business unit-approved office an average of four (4) or more days a week.
Physical Requirements:
Office Environment - roles involving part to full time schedule in Office Environment. Based in our physical offices and work from home office/deskwork - Activity level: Sedentary, frequency most of work day.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest records and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ****** orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability status and any other classification protected by Federal, State and local laws.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Behavioral Health Program Manager, Principal - Product Strategy position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in San Francisco offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
