Senior Director, Contracting

Inland Empire Health Plan; Rancho Cucamonga (CA); Hybrid; USD 229,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

On-site fitness center

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability coverage

Career development opportunities

Wellness programs

FSA – Health Care/Childcare

CalPERS retirement

457(b) with match

Pet care insurance

Job summary

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is seeking a Sr. Director to provide strategic leadership and oversee Provider Contracting, ensuring regulatory alignment and network growth across products.

The role drives negotiations, contract lifecycle management, and cross‑functional collaboration to support IEHP’s mission. You will lead complex negotiations, champion collaboration, manage staff, and establish SLAs and metrics to optimize performance.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in network contracting and negotiations.
• Experience with Medicaid/Medicare/Marketplace programs.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead organization-wide contracting strategies for a robust provider network.
• Oversee complex negotiations ensuring timely, compliant execution.
• Collaborate across Compliance, Finance, Legal, Product, Provider Experience, and Quality.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

What you can expect!

Find joy in serving others with IEHP! We welcome you to join us in “healing and inspiring the human spirit” and to pivot from a “job” opportunity to anauthentic experience!

Reporting to the Vice President of Contracting, the Sr. Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of Provider Contracting. The Sr. Director leads complex contract negotiations and ensures all contracting activities align with regulatory requirements and organizational priorities. This position collaborates closely with multiple departments across the organization to build and maintain a network that supports IEHP’s growth, financial sustainability and operational excellence.

Commitment to Quality: The IEHP Team is committed to incorporate IEHP’s Quality Program goals including, but not limited to, HEDIS, CAHPS, and NCQA Accreditation.

Additional Benefits

Perks

IEHP is not only committed to healing and inspiring the human spirit of our Members, but we also aim to match our team members with the same energy by providing prime benefits and more.

• Competitive salary
• State of the art fitness center on-site
• Medical Insurance with Dental and Vision
• Life, short-term, and long-term disability options
• Career advancement opportunities and professional development
• Wellness programs that promote a healthy work-life balance
• Flexible Spending Account – Health Care/Childcare
• CalPERS retirement
• 457(b) option with a contribution match
• Paid life insurance for employees
• Pet care insurance

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and overseeing organization‑wide contracting strategies to ensure a robust, high‑performing network that supports current and future product lines and organizational goals.
• Oversee and guide complex negotiations, ensuring timely execution, operational feasibility, and compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Champion cross‑departmental collaboration with Compliance, Finance, Legal, Product, Provider Experience, and Quality to ensure smooth contract implementation and optimal provider performance.
• Develop and implement contracting strategies that support compliance with state and federal regulations as well as NCQA requirements.
• Drive operational excellence across the full contract lifecycle, from intake to execution. Establish clear SLAs, prioritization frameworks, and performance metrics for all contracting activities.
• Identify and implement system enhancements that improve efficiency and user experience. Ensure accurate tracking, visibility, and reporting of contract volumes, cycle times, and bottlenecks.
• Own the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of contract templates and standard language. Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and relevance.
• Ensure executive leadership has clear, ongoing visibility into contracting activities, trends, and risks.
• Foster a high-performing, solutions-oriented culture focused on quality, consistency, and strong cross-functional partnership.
• Hire, train, and manage support staff, while monitoring and evaluating outcomes. Conduct performance reviews of each Team Member within IEHP guidelines.
• Perform any other duties as required to ensure Health Plan operations and department business needs are successful.

Qualifications

Education & Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years’ progressive experience in network contracting and at least 5 years of leadership experience
• Experience with various managed care compensation methodologies related to Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace government-sponsored programs
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution required
• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution preferred

Key Qualifications

• Valid California Driver’s License preferred
• Extensive knowledge of network development, managed care delivery systems, and health plan operations
• Deep understanding of contracting structures, alternative payment methodologies, risk‑based arrangements, regulatory requirements, contract performance evaluation, and reimbursement methodologies
• Exceptional analytical, strategic planning, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives and make informed decisions
• Strong leadership capabilities with demonstrated success managing teams, developing talent, and driving cross‑functional collaboration
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, relationship‑building, and organizational skills
• Cultivate and sustain high impact, collaborative relationships with providers and key stakeholders
• Strategically manage complex, competing priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines
• Shape, lead, and execute enterprise level provider contracting and network development strategies

Start your journey towards a thriving future with IEHP!

Work Model Location

This position is on a hybrid work schedule. (Mon & Fri - remote, Tues - Thurs onsite in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.)

Pay Range

USD $229,195.20 - USD $265,387.20 /Yr.