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

Life, disability insurance

Career development

Wellness programs

Flexible spending account

CalPERS retirement

457(b) match

Life insurance

Pet care insurance

Job summary

IEHP, located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, seeks a Sr. Director to lead Provider Contracting and shape a high-performing network for Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace programs.

The role requires strategic oversight of negotiations, collaboration with Compliance, Finance, Legal, Product, and Quality, and ongoing contract optimization. The position emphasizes leadership, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence within a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in network contracting with 5+ years in leadership.
• Experience with Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace government programs.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for organization-wide contracting strategies and a high-performing network.
• Oversee complex negotiations ensuring timely execution and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate across Compliance, Finance, Legal, Product, Provider Experience and Quality.
• Develop contracting strategies aligning with state and NCQA requirements.
• Drive contract lifecycle excellence with SLAs, priorities, and metrics.
• Identify systems enhancements to improve efficiency and reporting.
• Maintain contract templates and language with SME input.
• Provide executive visibility into contracting trends and risks.
• Foster a high-performing, cross-functional culture and mentor staff.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Leadership

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field (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.