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Senior Director, Contracting & Network Development.

Centene · TX · Remote available · $148,000–$274,200 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 8, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the toughest hospital contract negotiation you have led. What did you give and what did you hold?

What they are checking: Whether they negotiate with a clear walk-away point and can explain the tradeoffs they accepted.

Tell me about a value-based or alternative payment arrangement you designed or negotiated.

What they are checking: Whether they can move beyond fee-for-service toward contracts that reward quality and cost control.

Tell me about a time you built or rebuilt a contracting team. What did you look for?

What they are checking: Whether they can assemble and develop the right mix of negotiators and analysts across functions.

How do you keep provider relationships strong after a hard negotiation?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that the same providers will be partners long after the contract is signed.

What would you do

How would you build a network strategy for a new product in Texas that has to meet adequacy rules and cost targets?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance access requirements against unit cost when building a network from scratch.

How do you decide between paying a higher rate and leaving a gap in the network?

What they are checking: Whether they think about member access, regulatory risk and total cost rather than rate alone.

A large provider group threatens to terminate unless rates go up significantly. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, model the impact and prepare a member transition plan while negotiating.

About the work

What do you look at to know if a network is adequate, and what do you do when a county falls short?

What they are checking: Whether they know time, distance and provider ratio standards and the options when gaps appear.

How do you build and manage a contracting budget across multiple product lines?

What they are checking: Whether they can tie resources and contract targets to the plan's financial goals.

How do you work with actuarial and finance to set rate targets before a negotiation?

What they are checking: Whether they ground negotiations in cost modeling rather than instinct.

Which Texas Medicaid or Marketplace rules have shaped your contracting decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they know the state's regulatory landscape since the team prefers someone based in Texas.

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The full job description

As published by Centene.

Position Purpose: Oversee the development and implementation of contracting activities in network development and enhancement. Key Details: The Senior Director, Network Development & Contracting is responsible for providing strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of provider contracting, network development, and network optimization initiatives across multiple product lines. This role is accountable for developing and executing network strategies that support organizational growth, regulatory compliance, network adequacy, affordability objectives, and provider engagement goals. The Senior Director serves as a key business leader, collaborating with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to develop innovative contracting solutions, strengthen provider partnerships, and drive operational excellence across the network development organization. The team prefers a candidate living in TX. • Direct the evaluation, review, negotiations and ongoing management of product-specific contracts and amendments between health plan and vendors • Work with business development and providers to develop a strategy for developing new networks including plans to meet network access and unit cost objectives • Determine necessary resources to develop the network and assemble the appropriate team across all business functions. • Complete development of budget in alignment with Centene network management and financial objectives • Support the new business launch in diverse markets while considering individual market circumstances, provider community, budgeting constraints and available resources • Lead the network development specialists during the implementation and development stages • Monitor performance, develop, and implement business solutions to address process and quality gaps. • Communicate with senior management and other Centene leaders regarding network strategy and planning • Complete negotiations with complex and major provider contracts as needed to support network objectives Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, related field or equivalent experience. 7+ years of related contracting or healthcare operations experience. Experience establishing new markets including the development of the strategy and oversight of the implementation. Pay Range: $148,000.00 - $274,200.00 per year At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday. Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law , including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility. Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act

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