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Senior Director, Pharmacy

Centene · CA · Remote available · $185,700–$352,500 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 12, 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 a pharmacy utilization management program you built or improved. What changed in cost and outcomes?

What they are checking: Whether they can show measurable results from prior authorization, step therapy or similar tools.

Tell me about your experience preparing for NCQA or other accreditation reviews on the pharmacy side.

What they are checking: Whether they know what accreditors look for and can keep documentation ready year round.

How do you lead a team of pharmacists and technicians spread across two markets?

What they are checking: Whether they can set common standards while respecting local needs and staff.

What would you do

You will run pharmacy operations for two markets with multiple products. How would you spend your first ninety days?

What they are checking: Whether they learn the current state, the contracts and the people before announcing big changes.

Drug utilization data shows a fast rise in GLP-1 spending. How would you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance clinical appropriateness, member access and budget pressure on a high-cost class.

A prescriber complains loudly that our prior authorization rules are delaying care. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they take provider feedback seriously and are willing to change rules that create harm without savings.

How do you work with the medical side so pharmacy and medical programs do not work against each other?

What they are checking: Whether they think about total cost of care, such as drugs covered under medical versus pharmacy benefits.

About the work

How do you hold a PBM accountable to its contract performance standards?

What they are checking: Whether they know which guarantees matter in a PBM contract and how to audit against them.

How does running a pharmacy benefit differ between Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace products?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that formularies, rebates and rules vary by product and state.

How do you build a pharmacy budget, and what drivers do you watch most closely?

What they are checking: Whether they can forecast trend, mix, new drugs and rebates instead of just rolling last year forward.

What pipeline drugs or policy changes are you watching most closely right now?

What they are checking: Whether they stay current on what will drive pharmacy cost and policy in the next few years.

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The full job description

As published by Centene.

You could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members as a clinical professional on our Medical Management/Health Services team. Centene is a diversified, national organization offering competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility. Position Purpose: Manage all aspects of pharmacy operations in two markets with multiple products. Perform duties to develop, direct and implement a pharmacy benefit management program. Aid in formulating and administering related organizational policies and procedures, including pharmacy service quality, pharmacy utilization management and achievement of Company goals for pharmacy and medical programs. • Establish the strategic vision, objectives and policies and procedures for the pharmacy program in support of the Corporate strategic vision for multiple plans and markets. • Plan, direct and implement pharmacy activities for multiple plans and products. • Act as the pharmacy contract administrator for the development and implementation of key contracts and ensure that relevant performance standards are met by vendors. • Participate in external accreditation initiatives for multiple plans and products. • Manage and analyze operating costs and participate in preparing materials needed for budget planning or special initiatives. • Generate, review and analyze drug utilization, utilization management, financial and other ad-hoc reports, records and directives. Confer with staff to obtain data required for planning work function activities. • Review statistical analysis in support of recommendations and/or decision making for policies and operational procedures. • Maintain daily communication with plan management relative to each market and product. • Manage pharmacy department staff to assure adequate coverage and support in multiple locations and for multiple products. • Support provider education initiatives such as counter detailing and incentive programs in multiple markets. Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or advanced pharmacy degree (PharmD., M.S.) from an accredited college of pharmacy. 6+ years of clinical pharmacy care experience. 1+ years of experience managing a pharmacy program. Managed care, retail or hospital pharmacy experience required. Thorough knowledge of pharmaceutical care and pharmacy benefit management practices. Previous management experience including responsibilities for hiring, training, assigning work and managing performance of staff. Licenses/Certifications: Current Pharmacist license. Ability to receive license in additional states as required. Valid driver's license. Pay Range: $185,700.00 - $352,500.00 per year 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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