Senior Network Contract Manager - Remote - WA, OR preference

UnitedHealth Group•Lake Oswego, OR

2h•$91,700 - $163,700•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Network Contract Manager is a senior individual contributor and subject-matter expert who develops and executes contracting strategies supporting affordability, network adequacy, member access, and regulatory compliance. The role leads complex negotiations with hospitals, physician groups, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and ancillary providers, and manages agreements from initial strategy through execution and implementation. The position evaluates contract and market performance, develops reimbursement strategies, manages provider relationships, and advances network development. It also provides leadership through project ownership, cross-functional collaboration, mentoring, review of complex work, and guidance on critical contracting and market issues. Employees residing in Oregon or Washington may work remotely and must comply with UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy. The annual salary range is $91,700–$163,700 based on full-time employment. Pay depends on factors including local labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications. Benefits include a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase, and a 401(k) contribution, subject to eligibility requirements. Candidates must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Requirements

At least 3 years of professional experience in provider contracting, network development, healthcare negotiations, reimbursement, or a related healthcare business function.
At least 3 years of experience negotiating provider agreements or other complex commercial arrangements.
At least 3 years of experience developing and executing negotiation or market strategies.
Proficiency in contract interpretation, reimbursement methodologies, and contract-performance evaluation.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate financial, operational, and contractual information.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex priorities and work effectively with a high degree of independence.
Demonstrated solid written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience negotiating with hospitals, health systems, physician groups, RHCs, FQHCs, or ancillary providers.
Experience supporting network affordability, adequacy, access, and competitive-positioning initiatives.
Experience working with contract-management and submission systems.
Experience partnering with Legal, Network Pricing, Finance, and operational implementation teams.
Knowledge of healthcare reimbursement methodologies, including fee-for-service, case rates, capitation, sub-capitation, pay-for-performance, and value-based arrangements.
Solid understanding of healthcare market dynamics, provider performance, and reimbursement strategy.
Demonstrated success managing provider executive relationships and complex escalations.

Responsibilities

Lead complex provider contracting and negotiations with hospitals, physician groups, RHCs, FQHCs, and ancillary providers.
Negotiate new agreements, renewals, amendments, payment appendices, fee schedules, reimbursement terms, and provider terminations.
Develop negotiation strategies based on market conditions, financial and provider performance, network needs, and business objectives.
Communicate proposed contractual terms and negotiate mutually acceptable agreements with providers.
Evaluate continued provider participation using financial, operational, access, and network considerations.
Interpret contractual financial and nonfinancial terms, including operational and legal implications, and apply contracting policies, approval requirements, and standards.
Ensure agreements are accurately authored, executed, submitted, and configured within required timeframes.
Develop and execute market contracting strategies focused on affordability, network adequacy, member access, competitive positioning, and regulatory compliance.
Assess market rates, billing and referral patterns, provider quality, and operational effectiveness to establish reimbursement and negotiation strategies.
Identify opportunities to strengthen network performance, provider alignment, and market competitiveness.
Support network development, site-of-service strategies, product initiatives, and value-based care expansion.
Translate market trends, provider intelligence, and financial data into actionable contracting strategies; prioritize initiatives by business impact, market need, and available resources.
Apply strategic planning and complex problem-solving to resolve critical network and contracting issues.
Evaluate the financial and operational effects of contractual terms on providers, members, UHN, and customer groups.
Develop provider rates using applicable financial tools, reports, market data, and reimbursement benchmarks.
Assess contract performance and identify affordability opportunities, financial risks, and potential corrective actions.
Partner with Network Pricing to evaluate reimbursement arrangements, including fee-for-service, case rates, sub-capitation, pay-for-performance, and value-based methodologies.
Evaluate proposed contract changes for alignment with affordability goals and broader business objectives; use fact-based analysis and sound business judgment to make recommendations.
Build and maintain productive relationships with hospital executives, medical group leaders, physicians, and ancillary provider leadership.
Lead provider discussions about contract strategy, reimbursement methodologies, performance expectations, and operational requirements.
Explain organizational direction, contracting methodologies, policies, and procedures to providers and internal business partners, including the value and rationale for reimbursement methodologies.
Gather and evaluate information about provider issues, disputes, and operational concerns; develop resolution strategies, maintain leadership visibility, and escalate significant risks or barriers as appropriate.
Manage challenging negotiations and provider escalations while preserving productive business relationships, and represent the organization professionally in executive-level meetings and negotiations.
Partner with Legal, Network Pricing, Finance, Operations, and other stakeholders to develop and implement provider agreements.
Align contracting strategies and recommendations with financial, operational, legal, regulatory, and market requirements.
Coordinate contract implementation activities to support accurate and timely execution.
Lead cross-functional projects and provide guidance on complex contracting and network matters.
Serve as a subject-matter expert and resource to peers, business partners, and leadership; review complex work and recommend improvements to quality, accuracy, and business results.
Mentor colleagues and share contracting, negotiation, and market-strategy best practices.