Director of Client & Payer Relations

Center for Social Dynamics • Concord, CA

3d

About The Position

At the Center for Social Dynamics (CSD), we believe exceptional client outcomes are built through strong partnerships, clear communication, and unwavering clinical standards. We are seeking a Director of Client & Payor Relations to serve as a trusted leader at the intersection of clinical care, payer collaboration, and operational excellence. In this highly visible role, you will be the connective force between payers, families, and internal clinical and operational teams—ensuring continuity of care, navigating complex clinical escalations, and translating payer requirements into actionable, client‑centered solutions. This position is ideal for a clinically grounded leader who thrives in high‑stakes problem‑solving, values strong relationships, and is motivated by creating clarity and alignment in complex healthcare systems. As a Director at CSD, you will help shape how we partner with payers, support our clinicians, and advocate for families—ultimately ensuring that services are delivered with integrity, consistency, and excellence. The Director of Client & Payer Relations is responsible for building and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with payer clinical representatives (eg. EasterSeals) to support continuity of care, resolve complex clinical escalations, and ensure alignment between payer requirements and CSD’s clinical standards. This role serves as a key liaison between clients, payers, and internal clinical and operational teams, providing subject‑matter expertise on payer policies and supporting the resolution of issues that impact service delivery and client outcomes.

Requirements

• BCBA Credential Preferred (Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following disciplines: psychology, childhood development, childhood education, special education, pediatric therapy (physical, occupational, or speech therapy), or related field)
• 3+ years of experience as a BCBA (Clinical Director) or in a similar role requiring interactions and relationship building with payers
• Knowledgeable of methodologies found to benefit children with autism spectrum disorders, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (“ABA”), Early Start Denver Model (“ESDM”), Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-Handicapped Children (“TEACCH”), Picture Exchange Communication System (“PECS”), and Pivotal Response Training (“PRT”).
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; bilingual ability preferred.
• Able to consistently demonstrate good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Able to exercise confidentiality and discretion pertaining to the work environment.
• Able to appropriately interpret and implement policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Knowledgeable and skilled in computer/word processing software.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with EasterSeals (ESSC) preferred, incl. strong relationship with ESSC Customer Service Managers
• bilingual ability preferred.

Responsibilities

• Payer & Client Relationship Management Establish and maintain effective working relationships with payer clinical representatives, clients, and internal clinical and operational stakeholders Serve as a trusted partner to payers and families to support effective communication and shared problem‑solving
• Clinical Escalation Management Investigate, manage, and resolve complex client‑specific clinical escalations, including treatment plan concerns, under‑utilized authorized hours, escalated behaviors, and client complaints Collaborate with clinicians and leadership to develop solutions that support client safety, continuity of care, and payer compliance
• Communication & Cross‑Functional Collaboration Serve as a primary point of contact for payer case managers and clinical representatives Facilitate communication between clients, payers, and internal teams, including clinicians, regional operations leadership, global operations leadership, and the Board of Clinical Quality Ensure timely, clear, and consistent communication related to payer expectations and clinical considerations
• Payer Policy & Regulatory Expertise Maintain current knowledge of payer clinical policies, procedures, and documentation requirements Monitor changes to payer policies and proactively communicate updates and implications to relevant internal stakeholders
• Data Review & Trend Analysis Review and analyze payer‑related data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement in clinical outcomes, utilization, and payer relationships Partner with leadership to recommend strategies that improve alignment with payer expectations and reduce recurring escalations
• Training & Clinical Support Provide education and guidance to internal clinical teams related to payer policies, documentation standards, and clinical expectations Serve as a subject‑matter expert in supporting clinicians working with clients who exhibit aggressive or high‑risk behaviors, ensuring appropriate programming and safety considerations
• Compliance & Contractual Alignment Support compliance with payer clinical regulations, documentation standards, and contractual obligations Collaborate with internal partners to address compliance risks and ensure clinical practices align with payer requirements
• Additional job duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees