Executive Director, Payer Relations

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

3d•$145,685•Onsite

About The Position

About the Role At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, every role contributes to something bigger: improving lives through exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, and innovation. As the Executive Director, Payer Relations, you will play a critical leadership role in helping ensure our patients have access to the care they need while supporting the financial strength and long-term success of the organization. In this highly visible leadership position, you will partner closely with the Vice President, Payer Relations and collaborate with leaders across finance, clinical operations, revenue cycle, legal, compliance, information technology, and care management. Together, you'll help shape payer strategy, lead complex contract negotiations, advance value-based care initiatives, and guide a high-performing team responsible for payer contracting, analytics, and operations. This role is ideal for a strategic healthcare leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong partnerships, and influencing organizational decisions that have a meaningful impact on patients and the future of healthcare. The starting annual salary for this position is $145,685, the salary can range based on experience and education. This will also include a full comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Significant experience in payer contracting, managed care operations, revenue cycle, healthcare finance, or a related healthcare field
Experience leading complex, high-value payer negotiations across multiple lines of business
A track record of building, developing, and leading high-performing teams
Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action
Experience supporting senior leaders and contributing to organizational strategy
Knowledge of value-based care models, risk-based contracting, and alternative payment approaches
Experience working within New York State's healthcare and payer environment
Expertise in reimbursement methodologies, healthcare payment structures, and contract performance analysis
Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
The ability to navigate complex situations, make sound decisions, and lead through change
Doctoral degree and the equivalent of two (2) years of progressively responsible senior-level experience including eighteen (18) months experience in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or Master’s degree and the equivalent of four (4) years of progressively responsible senior-level experience including eighteen (18) months experience in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or Bachelor’s degree and the equivalent of six (6) years of progressively responsible senior-level experience including eighteen (18) months experience in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or Any combination of education/experience/training that demonstrates the ability of the individual to perform executive-level duties and fulfill the responsibilities of the Executive Director. However, all candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and have the equivalent of at least eighteen (18) months’ experience in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; stated in 1, 2, or 3 above.
Master’s degree and the equivalent of eight (8) years of progressive experience in payer contracting, managed care operations, revenue cycle, or healthcare finance within a provider, health system, MSO/IPA, or payer organization at a senior level, including eighteen (18) months experience in a supervisory, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field and the equivalent of ten (10) years of progressive experience in payer contracting, managed care operations, revenue cycle, or healthcare finance within a provider, health system, MSO/IPA, or payer organization at a senior level, including eighteen (18) months experience in a supervisory, consultative, managerial or executive capacity.
Demonstrated success leading or co-leading complex, high-value payer negotiations across multiple lines of business.
Track record of building, developing, and leading high-performing teams.
Experience supporting executive leadership and contributing to enterprise strategy.
Experience with value-based care, risk contracting, and alternative payment models.
Experience operating in the New York State payer and regulatory environment (including New York Medicaid managed care and DOH/DFS oversight).
Extensive expertise in reimbursement methodologies (DRG, APC, fee schedules), medical coding (CPT/HCPCS, ICD-10), and payment integrity principles.
Expertise with contract and pricing systems and EHR/PM platforms (e.g., Epic Resolute/Contract Management, Oracle Health/Cerner, Meditech, or comparable).
Strong financial modeling capability and fluency with analytics and business-intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, SQL).
Strong working knowledge of the healthcare regulatory and managed care landscape.
Ability to plan and manage team priorities and resources to achieve departmental goals.
Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment on complex and significant matters and escalate to executive leadership as appropriate.
Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Ability to effectively lead change management efforts related to payer strategy, contracting, and operational initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree with eight (8) years of progressive experience in payer contracting, managed care operations, revenue cycle, healthcare finance, or a related field, including leadership experience OR Bachelor's degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field with ten (10) years of progressive experience in payer contracting, managed care operations, revenue cycle, healthcare finance, or a related field, including leadership experience

Responsibilities

Help develop and execute Roswell Park's payer strategy across all lines of business
Lead or support complex payer contract negotiations and manage key payer relationships
Provide strategic guidance on reimbursement, managed care, and value-based care initiatives
Oversee and develop teams responsible for contracting, payer analytics, and operational support
Partner with leaders across the organization to identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improved patient access
Analyze financial and reimbursement trends to support executive decision-making
Ensure payer operations and contracting activities remain compliant with regulatory requirements
Drive change management efforts related to payer strategy, contracting, and operational improvements
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on payer and reimbursement matters