Manager, Community Relations

Centene Corporation•Utica, NY

6d•$87,700 - $157,800

About The Position

Manage community relations activities for the health plan by leading direct reports responsible for community engagement, relationship building, provider and community partnerships, and field-based outreach. The role oversees local engagement strategies that strengthen community presence, support member growth and retention, improve access to health plan resources, and ensure outreach activities meet regulatory, contractual, and organizational standards. The Manager leads frontline staff across Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester, with regular travel. The role is responsible for consistent regional outreach and ensuring the team meets performance goals. It also partners with internal teams and community stakeholders, represents the health plan at external events, monitors outreach performance, and reports recommendations and results to leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, health administration, public health, social services, business, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years of experience in community relations, outreach, marketing, sales, public health, provider engagement, or managed care.
Experience leading, coaching, or managing field-based teams or direct reports.
Experience building relationships with community-based organizations, providers, advocacy groups, government entities, faith-based organizations, schools, or other community stakeholders.
Experience with public speaking, community presentations, partner meetings, external stakeholder engagement, and using data and reporting to monitor outreach performance.
Valid driver's license.
Must complete and pass the New York State of Health approved training program and complete required annual recertification courses and learning.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for community events, enrollment activity, and market support.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years leading field or outreach teams, ideally in healthcare or sales.
Previous managed care experience, especially Medicaid, Medicare, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, or other government-sponsored programs.
Proven success driving KPIs and team accountability.
Skill coaching staff to stronger performance.
Experience building community partnerships.
Proficiency in CRM, reporting tools, and Excel.
Bilingual or multilingual capabilities based on territory and community needs.

Responsibilities

Manage and directly oversee Community Relations staff, including performance management, coaching, scheduling, development, and day-to-day field execution.
Develop and execute community engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with community-based organizations, providers, faith-based organizations, schools, advocacy groups, elected and community leaders, and other local stakeholders.
Build, maintain, and deepen strategic partnerships that support community trust, health plan visibility, member education, growth, and retention.
Oversee community outreach activities, events, presentations, sponsorship activations, and local engagement initiatives across assigned territories.
Partner with Sales, Marketing, Provider Relations, Quality, Retention, and other internal teams to align community engagement activities with business priorities.
Monitor community needs, market trends, competitor activity, and local partnership opportunities to inform outreach strategy and territory planning.
Review outreach activity, event outcomes, partnership effectiveness, and productivity reports to assess performance and identify improvement opportunities.
Ensure direct reports are trained on products, compliance requirements, approved talking points, outreach standards, documentation expectations, and escalation pathways.
Support relationship-building with providers and provider-facing organizations to improve community education, referral opportunities, and access to health plan resources.
Represent the health plan at community meetings, health fairs, provider and community forums, task forces, and stakeholder events.
Assist with escalated community, provider, and partner concerns related to outreach, education, or access.
Ensure community relations activities comply with applicable government, regulatory, contractual, privacy, marketing, and organizational standards.
Prepare updates, reports, and recommendations for leadership regarding community engagement performance, partnership impact, risks, and opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.