PBM Partnerships & Payer Relations Manager

Insight Hospital and Medical Center; Flint (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in Chicago is seeking a proactive PBM Partnerships & Payer Relations Manager to manage relationships with Pharmacy Benefit Managers and employer groups. This role involves building partnerships, ensuring operational accuracy, and driving growth across various payer channels. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication and negotiation skills, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and experience within pharmacy or healthcare operations. The position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the healthcare benefits ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Experience working with PBMs, payers, networks, or pharmacy operations.
• Strong ability to manage contracts, escalations, and relationships.
• Familiarity with reimbursement structures and MAC lists.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main liaison for PBM partners and vendors.
• Build relationships with self-funded employers and brokers.
• Drive growth into new PBM networks and payer groups.
• Conduct performance monitoring and generate internal reports.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship management

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

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

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a proactive, relationship‑driven PBM Partnerships & Payer Relations Manager to serve as the primary point of contact for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), third‑party administrators (TPAs), brokers, and self‑funded employer groups. This role is responsible for building new partnerships, strengthening existing relationships, supporting contract execution, ensuring operational accuracy, and driving network growth across all payer and PBM channels. The ideal candidate excels at communication, problem‑solving, and business development within the pharmacy or healthcare benefits ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

PBM Partnership Management

• Serve as the main liaison for all PBM partners, contractors, TPAs, and associated vendors.
• Manage onboarding, implementations, and ongoing communication to ensure alignment and strong operational performance.
• Oversee contract execution, version control, and escalation resolution with external partners.
• Proactively step in to assist with prior authorizations or operational duties as needed to ensure exceptional service continuity.
• Maintain a clear understanding of PBM reimbursement strategies, plan designs, MAC pricing, and specialty pharmacy dynamics.
• Step in to assist with PAs or operations during high‑volume periods or staffing gaps.

Self‑Funded Employer Network Development

• Build new relationships with self‑funded employers, brokers, benefits consultants, and employer coalitions.
• Identify opportunities for employers to utilize the pharmacy as a preferred or direct‑to‑employer solution (specialty savings, infusion savings, carve‑outs).
• Present pharmacy value propositions, cost‑savings models, and service offerings to employer groups.
• Support the execution of direct‑to‑employer agreements and develop customized employer workflows.

Payer & Network Growth

• Drive expansion into new PBM networks, payer groups, and employer health plans.
• Research and pursue opportunities to improve reimbursement rates or negotiate favorable contract terms.
• Track market trends, competitive pricing, and plan changes influencing pharmacy performance.
• Strengthen ties with existing PBM and payer partners to secure long‑term relationships.

Operational & Contract Coordination

• Troubleshoot operational issues, adjudication errors, reimbursement discrepancies, and network constraints.
• Collaborate with internal teams (legal, finance, operations, pharmacy) to ensure contractual accuracy and workflow alignment.
• Maintain oversight of contract renewals, amendments, compliance obligations, and key dates.
• Support renegotiation efforts by preparing comparisons, contract reviews, and partner summaries.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track reimbursement patterns, adjudication behaviors, specialty margins, and PBM performance metrics.
• Generate internal reporting to evaluate partnership effectiveness and financial outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to optimize pricing strategies, improve patient access, and enhance profitability.

Relationship Building & Strategic Development

• Cultivate strong, trust‑based relationships with PBM executives, employer decision‑makers, consultants, and industry partners.
• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and strategic discussions.
• Identify emerging opportunities for collaboration, market expansion, or product/service enhancement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Pharmacy, or a related field.
• Experience working with PBMs, payers, networks, benefits administrators, or pharmacy operations.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship‑management skills.
• Ability to manage contracts, escalations, timelines, and multi‑stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving skills, and organizational abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working directly with PBMs, TPAs, or self‑funded employer groups.
• Experience in specialty pharmacy, infusion services, or pharmacy network contracting.
• Working knowledge of claim adjudication, reimbursement structures, MAC lists, spread pricing, and DIR fee models.
• Experience building direct‑to‑employer pharmacy programs or benefit carve‑out models.
• Familiarity with value‑based pharmacy programs, outcomes reporting, and data‑driven performance metrics.
• Strong understanding of healthcare contracting, payer policies, and benefits administration.
• Ability to interpret contract terms, fee schedules, and reimbursement methodologies.
• Experience presenting pharmacy solutions or savings programs to employers, payers, or consultants.
• Existing relationships with PBMs, benefit brokers, employer groups, or industry partners is a major plus.