The Director of Payer Relations & Strategic Partnerships leads the organization's managed care payer engagement strategy across inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation service lines. This role serves as the primary external-facing liaison with health plans, translating clinical outcomes and utilization data into a compelling value narrative that supports contract negotiations, network positioning, and new business development. The Director also leads the evaluation and development of managed-care joint-venture partnerships and other strategic initiatives.

Payer Relations & Strategy

• Serve as primary relationship owner for assigned payer accounts across inpatient and outpatient rehab lines
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with payer medical directors, network management, and contracting teams
• Represent the organization's outcomes, quality, and value story in payer meetings, QBRs, and negotiations

Data Analysis & Outcomes Reporting

• Analyze payer claims data, utilization trends, denial patterns, and outcomes metrics to identify contracting opportunities and risks
• Partner with clinical/quality teams to package outcomes data (functional gains, readmission rates, length of stay, patient satisfaction) into payer-facing narratives for Joint Operating Committee (JOC) presentations
• Track contract performance against negotiated terms and market benchmarks

Contracting Support

• Support rate negotiations and contract language review in partnership with legal/finance
• Model financial impact of proposed contract terms
• Monitor competitor and market contracting trends

Strategic Growth & Partnerships

• Lead due diligence and relationship development for new joint venture opportunities
• Support Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) development and payer-facing value-based contracting initiatives
• Manage special projects as assigned by senior leadership (new market entry, service line expansion, payer RFPs)

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA, MHA, or related graduate degree preferred
• 5–8+ years in managed care, payer contracting, or healthcare business development, ideally in rehab, post-acute, or related service lines
• Strong data analysis skills
• Demonstrated success building payer relationships and negotiating contracts
• Excellent written/verbal communication and executive presence
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