Director of Payer Contracting

A multi-site healthcare provider organization in Texas is seeking a Director of Payer Contracting to lead enterprise-wide payer strategy and contracting efforts. This role will oversee all commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, and direct-to-employer agreements, partnering closely with executive leadership to align contracting with financial, operational, and growth priorities. This is a highly visible position responsible for driving reimbursement strategy, leading complex negotiations, and advancing value-based care initiatives across the organization. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and execute enterprise payer strategy aligned with growth, quality, and financial performance objectives Advise executive leadership on reimbursement trends, policy changes, and market dynamics Partner cross-functionally with finance, legal, revenue cycle, and clinical leadership Payer Contracting & Negotiations Lead negotiation and management of payer agreements across commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid Managed Care, and employer-direct contracts Structure value-based arrangements including bundled payments, shared savings, and risk-based models Partner with legal and compliance on contract terms and regulatory requirements Establish processes for payer disputes, denials, and escalations Financial & Performance Management Partner with finance to build payer performance reporting, forecasting, and reimbursement models Analyze payer mix, contract yield, and revenue performance to identify optimization opportunities Support pricing strategy aligned to cost structure and service line objectives Value-Based Care Align payer contracts with population health and care management initiatives Oversee performance across risk-based arrangements, including quality and financial metrics Stakeholder Management Serve as executive point of contact for payer relationships Represent the organization in external payer discussions and industry forums Present regularly to executive leadership on payer strategy and performance Qualifications 10+ years of experience in payer contracting, reimbursement, or managed care strategy within a healthcare provider or payer setting Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations and implementing value-based contracts Strong understanding of reimbursement methodologies (DRG, APC, per diem, capitation) Strong financial and analytical skillset with experience in contract modeling and performance analysis Prior leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives Bachelor's required; MBA, MHA, or MPH preferred Additional Details Executive-level visibility with regular interaction across senior leadership Opportunity to lead payer strategy in a dynamic reimbursement environment Focus on value-based care and long-term payer partnerships