Job Summary
The Senior Director, Payor Strategy & Optimization, will serve as a strategic leader responsible for supporting Air Methods’ payer relations and contracting strategy, while ensuring full compliance with contract terms and partner expectations. Key responsibilities include overseeing reimbursement structures, managing revenue cycle processes, and representing the organization in engagements with payers and affiliated entities. The position requires coordination across departments to support compliance, financial performance, and operational efficiency in air medical transport services.
Success in this role requires creativity, exceptional relationship-building skills, and deep expertise in payer contracting, reimbursement structures, and revenue cycle management.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following:
- Partner with the SVP of Payor Strategy to design and implement a comprehensive corporate strategy that enhances relationships with third-party payers and contracting entities.
- Support negotiations of financial terms and key contractual provisions with commercial and government payers to improve patient access and revenue performance.
- Maintain and refine the payer strategy playbook, including actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes.
- Collaborate with the analytics team to utilize data in negotiations and operational decisions; establish payer-specific benchmarks and thresholds for reimbursement performance.
- Develop innovative payment and reimbursement models that incorporate shared savings and performance-based incentives.
- Lead a team of payer compliance specialists to address operational, billing, and credentialing issues in coordination with billing and collections.
- Work with clinical leadership to improve quality performance, optimize risk adjustment, and streamline prior authorization and administrative processes.
- Coordinate with Legal and Compliance teams to proactively manage and resolve payment or billing disputes.
- Represent Air Methods in industry and community organizations to enhance brand visibility and expand payer and financial partnerships.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job requirements:
- Regular scheduled attendance
- Indicate the percentage of time spent traveling - 20%
Subject to applicable laws and Air Method’s policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods’ employment practices and policies.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Directly supervises employees in the department. Carries out Supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems. For Exempt Managers: Managers that carry out these responsibilities for two or more employees will have significant input in hiring and termination decisions.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; and ten (10) or more years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Master’s degree (MBA, MHA) preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in payer contracting within healthcare services, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity within a complex organization
- Experience on both the provider and payer sides of the industry is strongly preferred.
- Proven success in negotiating complex contracts and managing terms from development through execution.
- Expertise in multiple reimbursement structures including fee-for-service, capitation, risk sharing, shared savings, ACOs, and CINs.
- Strong understanding of payer business models, product design, and reimbursement methodologies.
- Established senior-level relationships with major payers and strong industry network.
- Deep knowledge of private payer contracting, coupled with an understanding of government reimbursement dynamics and impacts.
- Demonstrated analytical acumen, including network operations, financial modeling, and contract valuation.
- Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
Skills
- Strong track record of building collaborative, cross-functional relationships in support of network growth strategies.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of collaboration at all levels
- Strong business acumen with the ability to understand business situations, strategies, processes, and operations.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of collaboration at all levels.
Computer Skills
- Advanced with Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.
Air Methods is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
