Position OverviewThe Senior Director, Specialty Network Development leads the strategy, growth, and performance of Zelis' specialty healthcare provider networks, including dental, vision, behavioral health, and other ancillary and complementary network segments. This role sets the multi-year vision for specialty network expansion and directs multiple teams and functions to build a diverse, cost-effective and access-rich provider ecosystem that supports Zelis clients across Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and other product lines.
Operating as an internal subject matter expert with direct impact on business objectives, this leader defines department strategy, leads multiple complex programs and initiatives simultaneously, and drives resourcing and direction across subordinate directors and managers who own day-to-day execution. The role is approximately 60% strategic and 40% tactical, with erroneous strategic decisions carrying business impact that can extend beyond one year.
What you'll do:Network Strategy & Growth- Own the overall strategy, vision, and multi-year roadmap for building and expanding Zelis' specialty healthcare networks - including dental, vision, behavioral health, and other ancillary and complementary care networks - to increase savings and access for Zelis clients.
- Cultivate the organization's direct-contracted specialty provider assets to support multiple products and achieve corporate objectives for network viability and product performance.
- Establish strategic relationships across all specialty provider types, including large and key strategic groups and multi-site provider organizations, and serve as the primary resource for network partners across markets.
- Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert on Zelis specialty network products, representing network capabilities internally and with external partners, industry groups, and professional societies.
- Align network strategy with the Product team to ensure contracting goals support the long-term Network Solutions product roadmap; collaborate cross-functionally to define acceptance and launch criteria for new specialty network products.
- Ensure network and contracting strategy balances client access requirements with cost-savings objectives across all specialty lines of business.
Contracting & Business Execution- Direct and negotiate complex, high-value contracts across multiple specialty provider types and coach the contracting organization to drive network development efficiency.
- Execute corporate contracting strategy across multiple product lines, including Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and other emerging specialty product segments.
- Partner with business operations to define contract terms and educate key company personnel on the implications of those terms.
- Develop and communicate specialty network development goals, including target acquisitions, claim dollars captured, and revenue achieved, and build the tools needed to capture provider targets, measure performance, and report results and recommendations to the executive team.
Team & Talent Leadership- Lead a large team and manage people directly, driving and implementing talent strategies related to hiring, promotions, pay, performance assessment, and talent development, while identifying and cultivating high potential.
- Drive talent strategy broadly and provide people-related decisions that foster a diverse and inclusive environment; sponsor and actively participate in diversity strategy and execution across the department and the Enterprise.
- Role model success in the execution of talent systems such as performance management and development, and champion and promote diversity, inclusion, and wellness.
- Recruit, coach, and mentor the Network Development leadership team, building bench strength and succession depth across subordinate directors and managers.
Innovation & Enterprise Impact- Champion enterprise-wide AI transformation within network development, embedding AI into core operating models to unlock competitive advantage, improve scalability, and drive long-term value creation.
- Lead the development of new methods and approaches to solve company-wide network matters, bringing breakthrough ideas that create differentiated value for Zelis and its clients.
- Establish and develop broader company strategy as it relates to specialty network development, translating that strategy into multi-functional objectives across teams and departments.
What you'll bring to Zelis: - Master's degree plus 10+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and demonstrated professional accomplishment.
- 10+ years of experience in dental, vision, behavioral health, and/or other specialty or group health network product management.
- 5+ years of experience with provider contracting and negotiations, network development and configuration, and standards for specialty network contracting.
- Demonstrated accomplishment and followership in the specialty network subject matter area, both internally and externally, with a track record of presenting work to department members, external consultants, and professional societies, and contributing to high-quality publications or media opportunities.
- Leadership ability with cross-functional teams; knows how to get things done through both formal channels and the informal network.
- Ability to understand and prioritize provider challenges while proactively identifying and driving solutions.
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to apply data and analytics to strategic decisions.
- Strong organizational and project/process management skills.
- Strong negotiation, problem-solving, planning, and decision-making skills.
- Proven critical thinking skills and the ability to solve complex, ambiguous problems.
Please note at this time we are unable to proceed with candidates who require visa sponsorship now or in the future.Location and Workplace FlexibilityZelis is headquartered in the U.S., with multiple locations across the country and in Hyderabad, India. Check out our locations to learn more about our offices. All employee work locations are based on the needs of the position and are determined by the Leadership team. In-office work and activities vary based on work and team objectives in accordance with Company policies.
While location expectations vary by role, candidates within approximately 50 miles of a U.S. office are generally preferred to support collaboration when needed. Our hybrid approach is flexible, and in-office presence is guided by team and business needs rather than a fixed weekly schedule.
Base Salary Range$139,000.00 - $176,700.00
At Zelis we are committed to providing fair and equitable compensation packages. The base salary range allows us to make an offer that considers multiple individualized factors, including experience, education, qualifications, as well as job-related and industry-related knowledge and skills, etc. Base pay is just one part of our Total Rewards package, which may also include discretionary bonus plans, commissions, or other incentives depending on the role.
Zelis' full-time associates are eligible for a highly competitive benefits package as well, which demonstrates our commitment to our employees' health, well-being, and financial protection. The US-based benefits include a 401k plan with employer match, flexible paid time off, holidays, parental leaves, life and disability insurance, and health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, duties, and skills from time to time.
