The VP of Payer Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and executing a payer strategy that advances our mission across Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare (MLH). The VP of Payer Relations will lead all aspects of payer engagement including contracting, reimbursement strategy, and value-based care innovation to support clinical excellence, financial sustainability, and equitable access to care. This role requires an experienced and visionary leader with a deep understanding of healthcare quality methodologies, regulatory requirements, and the complexities of a large, integrated health system. The VP of Payer Relations will be a trusted partner both internally and externally and lead high-impact negotiations, drive strategic alignment across departments and ensure the delivery of fair, mission-aligned agreements with government and commercial payers. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.

A Brief Overview
The VP of Payer Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and executing a payer strategy that advances our mission across Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare (MLH). The VP of Payer Relations will lead all aspects of payer engagement including contracting, reimbursement strategy, and value-based care innovation to support clinical excellence, financial sustainability, and equitable access to care. This role requires an experienced and visionary leader with a deep understanding of healthcare quality methodologies, regulatory requirements, and the complexities of a large, integrated health system. The VP of Payer Relations will be a trusted partner both internally and externally and lead high-impact negotiations, drive strategic alignment across departments and ensure the delivery of fair, mission-aligned agreements with government and commercial payers. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.

What you will do

• Strategic Leadership • Lead the development of a system-wide payer strategy that supports Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s clinical, academic, and community health priorities. • Serve as the senior executive liaison to health plans, CMS, Medicaid, and third-party administrators, promoting transparent, collaborative, and values-driven partnerships. • Provide thought leadership on reimbursement trends and market dynamics to inform executive decision-making and long-term financial planning.
• Contracting & Reimbursement • Oversee the negotiation of all payer agreements, including traditional fee-for-service and innovative value-based arrangements. • Lead multidisciplinary collaboration with Finance, Revenue Cycle, Legal, and Clinical teams to evaluate terms, model contract impact, and support reimbursement optimization. • Ensure contracts are compliant with regulatory standards and align with the system’s quality and operational goals.
• Value-Based Care & Population Health • Expand participation in risk-sharing models that incentivize improved outcomes, cost containment, and health equity. • Partner closely with population health and care delivery leaders to align clinical operations with payer contract requirements and performance metrics. • Leverage data and analytics to track performance, inform negotiations, and drive continuous improvement.
• Payer Engagement & Advocacy • Build and sustain strategic payer relationships that enable innovation in access, care coordination, and digital health transformation. • Represent Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in regional and national payer forums, industry coalitions, and advocacy initiatives. • Serve as a spokesperson for the system’s payer strategy internally and externally.
• Team & Organizational Leadership • Lead and mentor a high-performing team responsible for payer strategy, analytics, and issue resolution. • Drive collaboration across departments to ensure payer contracts are operationalized effectively and support Methodist Le Bonheur’s mission and strategic goals.

Education Qualifications

• Required - Bachelor's Degree Business Administration/Management
• Preferred - Bachelor's Degree Healthcare Administration
• Preferred - Bachelor's Degree Finance
• Preferred - Master's Degree Business Administration/Management
• Preferred - Master's Degree Healthcare Administration

Experience Qualifications

• Required - At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in managed care, payer contracting, or healthcare strategy—preferably within a health system or integrated delivery network.
• Preferred - Recent leadership experience with a managed care organization.

Skills and Abilities

• Proven track record negotiating complex payer contracts, including shared savings, capitation, and other risk-based arrangements.
• Deep understanding of healthcare reimbursement models, payer-provider relationships, and value-based care frameworks.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into operational success and measurable outcomes.
• Become primary point of contact for payers.
• Initiate, implement and modify payer strategy in accordance with the clinical program development and the overall strategic plan.
• Renegotiate legacy contracts in accordance with strategic plan along with contracting and financial administration.
• Leverage data and analytics across the organization to advance value-based care.
• Effectively and regularly communicate changes and developments with leadership.

Supervision Provided by this Position

• Manages assigned associates and leaders.

Physical Demands

• The physical activities of this position may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.
• Must have good balance and coordination.
• The physical requirements of this position are light work - exerting up to 25 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently.
• The Associate is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity, such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; or extensive reading.
• The conditions to which the Associate will be subject in this position: The Associate is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions; job functions are typically performed under conditions such as those found in general office or administrative work.
• Ability to travel between health system facilities as needed.
• May require occasional evening or weekend work.