Sr. Contract Manager

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The Role:

BCBSMA has been a national leader in implementing value-based payment models like the Alternative Quality Contract and most recently announced our intent to collaborate with providers to develop incentives to reduce racial inequities in care. The Senior Contract Manager works closely with the Director of Network Contracting to successfully execute these innovative payment models and quality incentive programs, as well as achieve unit cost trend targets.

The Senior Contract Manager is the primary negotiator for an assigned portfolio of hospital and physician organizations and is responsible for managing the end-to-end process of developing proposals, negotiating terms, and accurately drafting and finalizing contracting language and financial rates. A successful Senior Contract Manager is analytical, has high attention to detail, and is able to communicate persuasively and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Lead negotiations for an assigned portfolio of contracts, including fee‑for‑service, pay‑for‑performance, and risk‑sharing hospital and physician contracts, ensuring that both business and financial objectives are achieved.
• Manage all aspects of negotiations: analyze market and internal data, develop proposal presentations and letters, negotiate terms with providers, liaise with the legal team and other business areas to assess risks, draft contract language and financial terms, and verify final contracts are accurate and complete.
• Develop rate proposals using Excel‑based modeling tools and work with Actuarial to acquire rate and utilization analytics needed for contract negotiations.
• Ensure new contract terms and rates are communicated within the organization and implemented accurately as of the contract effective date.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to ensure contracts align with corporate strategy and are compatible with health plan operations, policies, and procedures.
• Contribute to the development of creative contracting strategies, reimbursement structures, networks, and approaches that maximize BCBSMA’s competitive position and advance our corporate strategy.
• Facilitate and lead cross‑functional negotiation teams.

• Enhanced understanding of global, hospital, and physician contract development; demonstrated negotiation of complex provider payment arrangements.
• Demonstrated financial, analytical, and modeling abilities; knowledge of value‑based care and health‑care reimbursement methods and strategies.
• Experience as a primary negotiator with large, complex hospital and physician organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate, and operate collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, effective presentation skills, project management, and planning abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to advance initiatives and work independently.
• Strategic thinker, problem‑solver, consensus builder, and ability to effectively influence and interact at all levels of management.

BS/BA required;
Master’s preferred. Minimum of 7+ years of demonstrated health‑care finance or policy experience, with 5+ years of provider or payer contracting and negotiation experience preferred. Demonstrated financial, analytic, and modeling abilities; value‑based care experience; strategic thinker; problem‑solver; consensus builder; and ability to influence and interact at all levels of management.

Salary Range: $ - $. The position is eligible for the Flex persona and for variable pay. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and a suite of well‑being benefits to eligible employees.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Equal Employment Employer - veterans/disability. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by law. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will not discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless such disclosure is in response to a formal complaint or charge, in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or is consistent with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts's legal duty to furnish information.