Director, Contracting (Remote)

Job Description Cottage Health is seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Contracting to oversee and manage all payer contracting for the organization's diverse healthcare entities. This senior leadership role is integral to the health system's growth and success, and the ideal candidate will bring a strategic, innovative approach to managing relationships with payers, brokers, and government entities, ensuring the continued financial health and alignment of Cottage Health with evolving market trends. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Spearhead the development, negotiation, and management of payer contracts across all Cottage Health entities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, operational efficiencies, and compliance standards. Executive Liaison: Cultivate and maintain robust, high-level relationships with key stakeholders, including community leaders, brokers, payers, and government agencies. Serve as the primary point of contact and strategic advisor on all managed care contracting matters, positioning Cottage Health as a leading, trusted partner in the healthcare ecosystem. Market Intelligence & Integration: Provide executive leadership with timely, comprehensive updates on trends and developments in the managed care landscape. Leverage market insights to inform organizational strategy and policy development, ensuring Cottage Health is agile and positioned for success in a rapidly evolving industry. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with senior leaders across health system administration, legal, revenue cycle, compliance, and population health management teams to integrate new managed care programs and initiatives that drive operational excellence and support the organization's strategic goals. Qualifications: Level of Education Minimum: Bachelor's Degree Preferred: JD, MHA or MBA Technical Requirements Minimum: Significant knowledge of contractual, administrative, health insurance and operational issues related to managed care organizations. Experience in advanced payment models and other risk-based arrangements. Preferred: Experience with digital contract management system and AI-based contracting tools. Work Experience: Minimum: Minimum of 7 years of experience in the healthcare or managed care industry, with significant exposure to complex payer contracting and strategic negotiation at a leadership level. Additional Skills and Attributes: • Proven ability to influence and drive change across diverse stakeholder groups. • Strong negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills. • Ability to navigate complex, multi-faceted issues with a high degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion. • Demonstrated success in managing and improving payer relationships and health system outcomes. About Us Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, Ca, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love. Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Cottage Health and an applicant or employee. Cottage Health is committed to upholding discrimination-free hiring practices. We strive to cultivate an environment where exceptional people bring diverse perspectives and find belonging, support and connection to their work. Any Cottage Health applicants who require assistance or reasonable accommodations during the application process may request the need for accommodation with the Recruiter. If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link only. Apply tot his job