AVP, Chief Dental Officer - Aetna

Job description

We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time. Aetna is seeking a dynamic and commercially minded Chief Dental Officer to lead the clinical strategy and vision for one of the nation's largest dental benefits organizations. This executive will serve as the senior clinical leader for the business, responsible for advancing clinical excellence while helping drive growth, innovation, and market differentiation. We are looking for a strategic clinical executive who understands how to translate clinical programs, policies, and innovations into measurable business results. The Chief Dental Officer will partner closely with leaders across sales, product, network, operations, and enterprise functions to develop solutions that improve member outcomes, strengthen client value, enhance retention, support growth, and position Aetna Dental for continued success in a highly competitive marketplace. The successful candidate will bring a strong balance of clinical credibility, executive leadership, commercial acumen, and transformational thinking. This leader will help shape the future of Aetna Dental by ensuring innovation not only improves care but also reaches the market and creates value for members, providers, clients, and the business. Key Responsibilities Clinical and Business Strategy • Develop and execute the overall dental clinical strategy in alignment with business objectives and growth priorities. • Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs supporting utilization management, care management, quality improvement, and clinical operations. • Establish clinical policies, goals, and priorities that drive quality, affordability, operational excellence, and business performance. • Utilize clinical expertise, market insight, and data analytics to influence business strategy, product development, and innovation initiatives. • Promote the integration of dental services with medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, and care management programs to improve member outcomes and advance whole-person care. Growth, Innovation, and Market Impact • Serve as a key member of the leadership team in advancing the growth agenda for Aetna Dental. • Partner with sales, product, account management, and operations leaders to identify opportunities where clinical capabilities can strengthen competitive positioning and differentiate Aetna in the marketplace. • Lead the development and implementation of innovative clinical programs that create measurable value for members, providers, clients, and the business. • Assess emerging trends, technologies, and care delivery models and translate them into practical solutions that drive adoption and business impact. • Support client retention and growth efforts by helping articulate the value of Aetna's clinical programs and integrated care strategy. Clinical Operations and Quality • Oversee national utilization management, complaints and appeals, and clinical review functions. • Lead enterprise-wide quality initiatives and chair the National Quality Oversight Committee. • Ensure clinical operations are compliant, efficient, evidence-based, and aligned with regulatory requirements. • Drive continuous improvement through performance analytics, quality measurement, and best practices. Leadership and Talent Development • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Dental Directors, Dental Consultants, and clinical professionals. • Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. • Build organizational capabilities necessary to support growth, transformation, and future business needs. Sales, Client, and Market Partnership • Collaborate with sales teams, consultants, brokers, employer groups, and plan sponsors to support business development and client retention efforts. • Participate in key client presentations, finalist meetings, and strategic customer engagements. • Communicate the value of integrated oral health programs and clinical innovation to internal and external stakeholders. External Leadership • Represent Aetna Dental with providers, academic institutions, professional associations, regulatory agencies, and industry organizations. • Build influential relationships that advance innovation, strengthen provider partnerships, and elevate Aetna's position as a leader in dental and integrated healthcare. Leadership Profile The ideal candidate is a proven clinical executive who has demonstrated the ability to: • Translate clinical expertise into business growth and market differentiation. • Lead through transformation and organizational change. • Influence senior executives and build alignment across highly matrixed organizations. • Partner effectively with commercial, operational, and functional leaders. • Drive innovation from concept to implementation and measurable results. • Balance strategic thinking with operational execution. • Build highly engaged, accountable, and high-performing teams. • Communicate with credibility across providers, clients, industry leaders, regulators, and executive stakeholders. Qualifications • DDS or DMD degree required • Active unrestricted dental license in at least one U.S. state required • Minimum of 12 years of leadership experience within a dental care delivery, dental benefits, managed care, or healthcare organization. • Deep expertise in utilization management, clinical quality, dental policy, and evidence-based practice. • Experience leading large-scale clinical operations and multidisciplinary teams. • Ex