Director of Payor Relations

Behavior Frontiers; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan

Paid time off

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

Telehealth access

Employee discounts

Job summary

Behavior Frontiers, based in El Segundo, CA, seeks a Director of Payor Relations to lead relationships with commercial and government payors for ABA services. The role focuses on optimizing reimbursement, improving contract performance, and sustaining long-term payor partnerships through data-driven storytelling and outcomes reporting.

This position partners with clinical, revenue cycle, operations, and finance teams to ensure alignment with payor expectations, monitor performance, and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Finance, or related field.
• 5-10 years of payor relations, managed care, or healthcare contracting (ABA or behavioral health preferred).
• Demonstrated experience with rate negotiations and payor-facing presentations.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret and present clinical and financial data.
• Deep understanding of reimbursement in ABA and/or behavioral health.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary payor contact and maintain proactive relationships.
• Conduct regular business reviews with payor representatives.
• Identify risks to payor relationships and mitigate.
• Coordinate with clinical, revenue cycle, and operations teams for alignment.
• Document payor activity in CRM weekly.
• Review provider portals and directories.

Skills

Executive-level communication

Negotiation

Data storytelling

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Finance, or related field

Tools

CRM

Data visualization tools

Job description

Description

The Director of Payor Relations is responsible for developing, managing, and strengthening relationships with commercial and government payors to support the organization’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. This role focuses on optimizing reimbursement, improving contract performance, and ensuring long-term payor partnership through data-driven storytelling, outcomes reporting, and strategic rate negotiations.

Description

The Director of Payor Relations is responsible for developing, managing, and strengthening relationships with commercial and government payors to support the organization’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. This role focuses on optimizing reimbursement, improving contract performance, and ensuring long-term payor partnership through data-driven storytelling, outcomes reporting, and strategic rate negotiations.

This position plays a critical role inongoingpayorengagement, retention, and financial performance improvement.

Office Location:

El Segundo, CA

Pay Range:

$115,000 - $130,000 DOE + Bonus Plan

KeyResponsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned payors,maintainingstrong, proactive relationships
• Conduct regular business reviews and check-ins with payor representatives
• Identifyrisks to payor relationships and develop mitigation strategies
• Partner with internal teams (clinical, revenue cycle, operations) to ensure alignment with payor expectations
• Document and updateCRMwith payor contacts and activity weekly
• Review and update provider portals and directories

Payor Performance & Outcomes Reporting:

• Develop and deliver compelling, data-driven presentationsdemonstratingclinical outcomes, quality metrics, and value of ABA services
• Translate clinical and operational data into clear narratives tailored to payor priorities (e.g., cost savings, member outcomes, access)
• Lead quarterly or semi-annual business reviews with payors
• Continuouslyrefinereporting frameworks to strengthen the organization’s value proposition

Rate Strategy & Negotiation:

• Identifyopportunities for rate increases based on performance, market benchmarks, and outcomes
• Prepare and present rate increase proposals supported by data and financial modeling
• Lead negotiations with payors to improve reimbursement rates and terms
• Track and analyze reimbursement trends to inform negotiation strategy

Contract Retention & Growth:

• Drive retention of existing payor agreements through proactive engagement anddemonstratedvalue
• Support expansion of services within existing payor relationships (e.g., new markets, service lines)
• Monitor contract performance and elevate issuesimpactingretention

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with Revenue Cycle to address denial trends, underpayments, and operational friction points
• Partner with Clinical Leadership toalign onoutcomes reporting and quality metrics
• Work with Finance to evaluatefinancial impactof rate changes and payor mix

Market Intelligence:

• Monitor industry trends in ABA reimbursement, payor policies, and competitive positioning
• Provide insightstoleadership on payor strategy and risks/opportunities

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Number of payor presentations delivered (monthly/quarterly)
• Number of rate increase requests submitted
• Average reimbursement rate improvement (%)
• Payor contract retention rate (%)
• Success rate of rate negotiations
• Growth in revenue tied torateimprovements or strengthened payor relationships
• Payor satisfaction / relationship health (qualitative + survey-based)

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Finance, or related field
• 5-10 years of experience in payor relations, managed care, or healthcare contracting (ABA or behavioral health strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated experience with rate negotiations and payor-facing presentations
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret and present clinical and financial data
• Deep understanding of reimbursement in ABA and/or behavioral health

Preferred

• Experience in multi-state ABA provider organizations
• Familiarity with Medicaid and commercial payor dynamics in autism services
• Advanced degree (MBA, BHA)

Skill & Competencies

• Executive-levelcommunication and presentation skills
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Data storytelling and visualization
• Strategic thinking with strong business acumen
• Relationship management and stakeholder engagementProblem-solving and cross-functional collaboration

Why Behavior Frontiers is perfect for you:

• Competitive pay with optional On-demand paychecksthruDailyPay- get paid on your own schedule!
• 401K Plan with company match after 6 months of employment
• Paid Personal Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Performance and promotionraises
• Free Telehealth:Free access to a doctor via telehealth for you and your dependents with no limits and no co-pays
• Free Telehealth Mental Health:Free access to a mental health counselor via telehealth for you and your dependents (over age 13) with no limits or co-pays
• Employee Assistance Program:Free access tosome supportservices (financial, legal, counseling, etc.)
• Fitness:Discounted monthly gym membership to 12,000 gym locations nationwide, as well as free access to workout videos
• Deals:Exclusive discounts and savings to 500+ companies and more!
• Travel:Discounts on travel essentials including hotels, rental cars, flights, excursions, and more!
• Lab Testing Discounts:10-80% off costs of routine lab work
• New Benefits Rx:Discounts on prescription medications from 10-80%at60,000+ locations nationwide

Why work for Behavior Frontiers? Visit our benefits & perks page tolearn more!

Behavior Frontiers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider for employment all qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the requirements of the applicable federal, state, and local laws.