Director of Contracts and Compliance

Find Your Career at Jefferson Center for Mental Health•Wheat Ridge, CO

About The Position

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages. The Director of Contracts and Compliance is responsible for shaping and executing Jefferson Center’s comprehensive payer strategy to ensure financial sustainability and growth. This role will lead efforts to maximize reimbursement rates, secure optimal terms for services, and strengthen Jefferson Center’s position in the marketplace. Key responsibilities include: Developing and implementing payer strategies that align with organizational goals and support core service lines. Negotiating favorable rates and terms with payers to optimize revenue and maintain competitive advantage. Driving initiatives to enhance contract performance and ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual obligations. Building and maintaining strategic relationships with external partners to support long-term success. Overseeing all aspects of contract management processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to standards. Directing Jefferson Center’s Compliance Program, ensuring organizational adherence to legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements. This position plays a critical role in advancing Jefferson Center’s mission by ensuring that payer agreements deliver both financial viability and high-quality client care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Health Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Minimum of five years of experience in contract management within the private sector, experience within a managed care entity preferred.
Proven expertise in payor negotiations and compliance oversight.
Experience in value-based payment (VBP) arrangements for a behavioral health provider entity.
Network contracting experience with a Managed Care Organization (MCO)
Demonstrated ability to secure advantageous payer agreements by leveraging compelling, data-driven narratives that highlight measurable outcomes and value.
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in or with behavioral health or healthcare organizations.
Familiarity with contract management systems and compliance framework

Responsibilities

Payor Strategy & Negotiation Develop and implement strategies for payor contracting to support organizational goals.
Lead negotiations with managed care entities and other private sector payors to secure competitive rates and terms.
Monitor market trends and regulatory changes impacting payor relationships.
Contract Oversight & Management Oversee the full lifecycle of contracts, including drafting, review, approval workflows, and renewals.
Ensure compliance with all contractual obligations and deliverables and maintain accurate records in the contract management system.
Ownership of contractual proof of performance and ability to identify and engage internal resources to meet performance requirements.
Own and resolve through negotiations any misalignment with new contracts terms and state regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with Finance and Operations teams to align contract terms with revenue cycle objectives.
Collaborate with Grants team to ensure compliance and tracking of grant deliverables.
Compliance Leadership Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as internal compliance policies.
Partner with internal stakeholders to mitigate risk and address compliance issues promptly.
Provide guidance and training to staff on compliance standards and best practices.
Team Leadership Supervise the Contracts and Compliance Manager, providing mentorship and performance oversight.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.
Other Duties Other duties and project leadership as assigned.