About the role: We believe health is shaped by the environments where we live, learn, work, and play. By partnering with communities, we can create healthier opportunities that focus not just on restoring health, but on sustaining it.  Our goal is to give all Iowans and South Dakotans, not just Wellmark members, the opportunity to live long, healthy lives regardless of their income, education or background. Wellmark aims to build relationships, engage strategic coalitions, and create alignment on opportunities to help eliminate barriers to optimal health. As a Health Improvement Manager, you will represent Wellmark with the intention of strengthening the health of communities across Iowa and South Dakota.  You’re energized by communities and committed to improving health outcomes through collaboration, data, and evidence‑based action. This role is about understanding how health systems, insurers, government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations intersect — and you can navigate those dynamics with confidence.  You’re a natural connector who sees patterns, relationships, and opportunities others miss.  You bring healthy skepticism: you ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions, and push for clarity. About you: You bring strong business and strategic-level thinking, intellectual curiosity, and sound judgment. You understand how health and state ecosystems function and can quickly assess what’s viable, what’s aspirational, and what needs verification. You’re comfortable saying, “That’s not my lane, but I know who should be at the table,” and then making the connection. You ask questions others don’t think to ask while balancing empathy with healthy skepticism through digging into data, evidence, outcomes and applicability to Wellmark’s scope and strategic goals. This role requires presence, clarity, and confidence; someone who can engage stakeholders, hold their own in complex discussions, and represent Wellmark with credibility. Strong verbal and written communication are key. You think like a business owner, use data to guide decisions, and have the optimism to improve systems paired with the discernment to know what will truly work. This position will work a hybrid schedule of at least 3 days (Tues-Thurs) in Wellmark’s Des Moines office with 2 days remote option (Mon/Fri). You may be in-office Mondays/Fridays to meet business needs. 
