Senior Manager, Pharmacy Operations (Prior Authorization)

This role is based in Pittsburgh, PA (Robinson Township); candidates must reside locally or be willing to relocate.

The Opportunity

The Patient Services Operations team is at the forefront of the company mission to bring affordable prices and deliver the best experience for all of our patients. The Senior Manager, Pharmacy Operations leads prior authorization production within a fast-growing hub pharmacy. This position is a mid–senior level role for a hands-on operator who thrives in ambiguity, builds scalable processes, and develops high-performing hourly teams.

You will own day-to-day execution and performance outcomes while partnering cross-functionally to evolve workflows, technology, and operating models as the business scales. Success in this role requires balancing tactical execution with strategic thinking—driving results today while building systems that work tomorrow.

Responsibilities

Leading with Operational Excellence

• Own end-to-end production performance for prior authorization workflows, ensuring consistent delivery against SLAs, turnaround time, quality, and productivity targets.
• Establish and evolve operating rhythms to manage volume variability, capacity planning, backlog health, and risk.
• Identify bottlenecks and failure points across people, process, and technology; drive pragmatic, scalable solutions.

Building, Developing & Scaling Talent

• Hire, lead, and develop a high-performing hourly workforce, including front-line specialists and team leads.
• Set clear performance expectations and coach employees through regular 1:1s, real-time feedback, and structured performance management.
• Use performance data and direct observation to identify skill gaps and deliver targeted coaching and training.
• Create an environment of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Build bench strength and leadership capability to support growth and operational resilience.

Operating with Data & Accountability

• Use data to drive staffing/scheduling, prioritization, and performance management.
• Own and continuously improve key operational metrics, including SLA attainment, cycle time, productivity, quality, rework, and attrition.
• Translate complex operational data into clear insights and recommendations for leadership and cross-functional partners.

Partnering Cross-Functionally to Improve Systems

• Partner closely with Operations leadership to align production outcomes with broader company goals.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to improve workflows, tooling, automation, and system usability.
• Act as the voice of PA operations by documenting requirements, identifying impact, and validating solutions.
• Support pilots, launches, and change management efforts for new processes and technology.

Thriving in a Startup Environment

• Roll up your sleeves to solve problems directly when needed, while also building repeatable systems.
• Navigate ambiguity, shifting priorities, and rapid growth with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Balance speed with quality, ensuring scalability without sacrificing execution.

A successful applicant will fit the following criteria:

• Experience: 5+ years of managerial experience scaling operations/production in a start-up and/or high-volume/growth company (healthcare tech, prior authorization, and/or pharmacy experience preferred); Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Team Management: Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing hourly teams through hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Operational Management: Experience owning and presenting SLAs, KPIs, key metrics, and operational reporting.
• Problem Solving: Exceptional problem-solving skills and demonstrated experience delivering results using operational excellence best practice methodologies (Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred).
• Detail-Oriented: Strong attention to detail – quickly become an expert in new areas, ask the right questions, and connect dots to ensure operational excellence.
• Data-Driven: Strong analytical mindset with experience using data to drive decisions and accountability. Ability to drive establishment and monitoring of key metrics, and comfortable analyzing data to identify trends and issues; Comfortable using data analysis tools and BI platforms (e.g., Excel, SQL, Tableau) is preferred.
• Collaborative Mindset: Proven ability to work cross-functionally, especially with growth, product and technology teams to deliver results; influencing, collaborating and creating consensus with various stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Solid verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts and data clearly and concisely. 
• Adaptability/Resiliency: Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and effectively navigate ambiguity to drive results. 
• Mission-Oriented: Motivated by Blink’s mission and excited by the prospect of leading teams to deliver and improve patient outcomes.

What success looks like in the role:

• Prior authorization SLAs are consistently met as volume and complexity grow.
• The team is engaged, productive, and developing toward higher levels of responsibility.
• Operational decisions are data-driven, proactive, and transparent.
• Product and technology improvements meaningfully reduce friction and improve throughput.
• PA operations scale smoothly without sacrificing quality, compliance, or employee experience.