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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. Working at MLH means carrying the mission forward of caring for our community and impacting the lives of patients in every way through compassion, a deliberate focus on service expectations and a consistent thriving for excellence.
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.
- 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. Our Associates are passionate about what they do, the service they provide and the patients they serve. We value family, team and a Power of One culture that requires commitment to the highest standards of care and unity. Boasting one of the South's largest medical centers, Memphis blends a friendly community, a thriving and growing downtown, and a low cost of living. We see each day as a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people in our community.