VP, Payer Strategy, Contracts & Partnerships

WellMed Optum Florida; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

WellMed, part of Optum, a physician-led health care organization in Florida, seeks a VP, Payer Contracting and Relations to lead payer strategy, executive relationships, and contract approvals.

This role oversees 5–7 priority payers, guiding negotiations, risk parameters, and performance across the contract lifecycle, reporting to the SVP and collaborating with Finance, Legal, and clinical leadership.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in payer contracting or value-based care strategy.
• Proven track record negotiating complex risk-based payer agreements.
• Ability to evaluate contract economics and translate findings into strategic decisions.
• Experience building executive-level payer relationships across contract cycles.
• Strong executive communication, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Knowledge of Medicare Advantage, risk adjustment, quality incentives and value-based payment models.

Responsibilities

• Lead payer strategy and executive partnerships with priority payers.
• Set contracting direction and governance with Finance, Actuarial, Legal and clinical leadership.
• Drive performance and manage the Senior Director and teams for negotiation outcomes and renewals.
• Align operations, clinical, quality, finance and network leaders around contractual commitments.
• Oversee payer portfolio strategy to support access, cost and quality objectives.

Skills

Payer contracting leadership

Negotiation of risk-based agreements

Contract economics evaluation

Executive payer relationship building

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Medicare Advantage knowledge

Job description

WellMed, part of Optum, a physician-led health care organization in Florida, seeks a VP, Payer Contracting and Relations to lead payer strategy, executive relationships, and contract approvals.

This role oversees 5–7 priority payers, guiding negotiations, risk parameters, and performance across the contract lifecycle, reporting to the SVP and collaborating with Finance, Legal, and clinical leadership.