Strategic Partnership Specialist

Delta Dental Ins.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 93,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta Dental seeks a Strategic Partnership Specialist to build and manage executive relationships with PMS vendors and other dental technology partners. You will drive Nexus platform adoption, API integrations, and strategic collaboration with providers, payers, and internal teams.

You will translate technical capabilities into business value, lead cross-functional initiatives, and gather market insights to shape partnership strategies across the dental payer ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 4+ years of experience.
• Experience with PMS, healthcare software providers, or healthcare technology vendors.
• Knowledge of dental office operations and provider business challenges.
• Experience building and managing strategic business relationships.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into business value and market opportunities.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage executive-level strategic relationships with PMS vendors and other dental technology partners; liaison between external partners and internal teams; drive joint planning and partnerships.
• Drive Nexus platform adoption and ecosystem growth through API integrations and GTM strategies across PMS vendors, providers, and payers.
• Translate Nexus capabilities into compelling value propositions, ROI, and lead executive sales, partnerships, and industry engagement.
• Engage providers, DSOs, and practice leaders to understand workflows and gather market insights.
• Leverage knowledge of the dental payer ecosystem to drive interoperability and partner connectivity.
• Conduct market and competitive analyses to identify trends and growth opportunities in dental tech.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Delivery, Sales, Provider Relations, and Business Development to align partner needs with strategy.

Skills

Relationship management

Strategic partnerships

Healthcare technology

Dental industry knowledge

Executive communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Description

The Strategic Partnership Specialist is responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with Practice Management System vendors, benefit eligibility lookup providers, and other key stakeholders within the Delta Dental member company technology ecosystem. This role serves as a bridge between business, technology, and industry partners to expand adoption of the Nexus platform and direct payer API integrations that streamline eligibility, claims, and information exchange processes with other member Delta companies. The specialist will work closely with PMS vendors, dental offices, delta member companies, the DDPA, and internal stakeholders to identify business opportunities, drive platform adoption, and improve streamlined data exchange in the Dental payor network. The ideal candidate combines strong relationship management capabilities, industry expertise, and technical acumen with a deep understanding of dental practice operations, payer processes, and healthcare technology integrations.

The Strategic Partnership Specialist is responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with Practice Management System vendors, benefit eligibility lookup providers, and other key stakeholders within the Delta Dental member company technology ecosystem. This role serves as a bridge between business, technology, and industry partners to expand adoption of the Nexus platform and direct payer API integrations that streamline eligibility, claims, and information exchange processes with other member Delta companies. The specialist will work closely with PMS vendors, dental offices, delta member companies, the DDPA, and internal stakeholders to identify business opportunities, drive platform adoption, and improve streamlined data exchange in the Dental payor network. The ideal candidate combines strong relationship management capabilities, industry expertise, and technical acumen with a deep understanding of dental practice operations, payer processes, and healthcare technology integrations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage executive-level strategic relationships with PMS vendors, eligibility verification providers, and other dental technology partners; serve as the primary liaison between external partners and internal teams; drive joint business planning and partnership strategies; facilitate business reviews; and identify opportunities to expand Nexus platform adoption and direct payer API integrations.
• Drive Nexus platform adoption and ecosystem growth through API-based integrations, go-to-market strategies, and strategic partnerships across PMS vendors, providers, and payers.
• Business Development & Industry Consulting: Drive business growth by translating Nexus capabilities into compelling value propositions, demonstrating ROI, and leading executive-level sales, partnership, and industry engagement strategies.
• Engage providers, DSOs, and practice leaders to understand workflow challenges, gather market insights, and drive solutions that improve technology adoption, efficiency, and provider experience.
• Leverage deep knowledge of the dental payer ecosystem to drive interoperability, modernize provider-payer connectivity, and advance strategic partnerships across payers, PMS vendors, and trading partners.
• Conduct market and competitive analysis to identify industry trends, emerging technologies, strategic partnerships, and growth opportunities across the dental technology ecosystem.
• Work across Product, Engineering, Delivery, Sales, Provider Relations, and Business Development to align partner needs, market insights, and business objectives with product strategy, integration execution, and long-term partner success.

Qualifications

• 4+ w/Bachelor’s degree
• Experience working with Practice Management Systems, healthcare software providers, or healthcare technology vendors.
• Strong knowledge of dental office operations, practice workflows, and provider business challenges.
• Experience building and managing strategic business relationships.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical concepts into business value and market opportunities.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing multiple stakeholders.

Base Pay Information

The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental’s assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity.

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 22. $93,445 - $202,465

About Us

Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes:

• Competitive base and incentive pay
• 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions
• Rich medical & pharmacy benefits
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits
• Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives
• Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off
• Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program
• Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance
• Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities
• Employee discount program

Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations

This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A.

About The Team

At Delta Dental, we’re behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we’ve served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care – but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all.

We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie.

Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram , on Facebook and Instagram , Delta Dental Ins. on Twitter and Delta Dental Ins. on LinkedIn . If you've got an appetite for innovation and want to be a part of a team that’s transforming the future of health care, join us!

Since 1955, we have offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California network includes affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; and Delta Dental of West Virginia, providing dental benefits to more than 31 million people across 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The company and its affiliates are part of Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), a not-for-profit national association based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, we deliver benefits to more Americans than any other dental insurance company.

Delta Dental Ins. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category. Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment-Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies.

Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) or other US Territories at this time.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.

• Delta Dental includes: Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, and Delta Dental of New York