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Vice President, Network Development & Contracting

Centene · MI · Remote available · $180,400–$343,300 a year · Full time

Posted May 18, 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 provider negotiation you led. What was the outcome?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold firm on cost while preserving relationships the plan needs long term.

Describe how you have built a network in a new market from the ground up.

What they are checking: Whether they have actually launched a market and know the sequence of steps it takes.

Tell me about a time your analysis changed a senior leader's mind about a network decision.

What they are checking: Whether their work shapes decisions rather than just supporting conclusions already made.

What would you do

A key health system threatens to leave the network in an expansion market. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for member access, regulatory adequacy and leverage before reacting.

How do you decide when to bring in external consultants for network development?

What they are checking: Whether they use outside help deliberately and keep accountability inside the team.

About the work

How do you analyze a provider network from a cost, coverage and growth perspective?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh unit cost, access standards and expansion needs together rather than one at a time.

Walk me through how you use claims trend data to prepare for a major hospital negotiation.

What they are checking: Whether they build a negotiating position from utilization and cost evidence, not just rate comparisons.

How do you set production and quality standards for a contracting department?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage contracting as an operation with turnaround and accuracy, not just deals.

How do you review contracting rates to make sure they stay aligned with company strategy?

What they are checking: Whether they have a regular discipline for catching rates that drift from targets.

How do you budget and forecast network costs for multiple product lines?

What they are checking: Whether they can project contract costs across Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace with different dynamics.

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The full job description

As published by Centene.

Centene is transforming the health of our communities one person at a time. As an Executive on our team, you could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members. Position Purpose: Direct the provider network and contracting activities. Lead all aspects of provider network strategy including, access analysis, network operations and support decision makers with analysis related to reimbursement and unit cost management. Oversee the coordination and negotiation for the contracting department. • Establish the department’s strategic vision, objectives, and policies and procedures. • Develop, implement and maintain production and quality standards for the Contracting department. • Oversee network development staff and external consultants in the development of provider networks across expansion markets. • Perform periodic analyses of the provider network from a cost, coverage, and growth perspective. • Provide leadership in evaluating opportunities to expand or change the network to meet Company goals. • Manage budgeting and forecasting initiatives for product lines to networks costs and provider contracts. • Oversee analysis of claim trend data and/or market information to derive conclusions to support contract negotiations. • Conduct periodic review of provider contracting rates to ensure strategic focus is on target with overall Company strategy. • Support market expansion and M&A activities by leading provider contract analysis related to due diligence. • Assist health plan CEO and/or COO vendors in key provider relations and strategy. • Ability to travel. Education/Experience: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration or related field required. MBA or MHA degree preferred. 10+ years of experience in managed care network development and provider relations/contracting management in a health care and/or managed care environment required. Previous management experience including responsibilities for hiring, training, assigning work and managing performance of staff. Pay Range: $180,400.00 - $343,300.00 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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