Vice President – Payor Strategy and Relations Job – Phoenix, AZ

JOB TITLE
Vice President – Payor Strategy and Relations

POSITION SUMMARY
The Vice President, Payor Strategy & Relations leads Atlas Healthcare Partners’ strategy for payor reimbursement and relationships across its ambulatory surgery center (ASC) portfolio. This role works closely with health system partners, executive leadership, and operational teams to identify reimbursement opportunities, improve financial performance, and support growth initiatives.

Given the health system partners lead the majority of direct payor contracting within Atlas’ joint venture model, this position influences payor strategy through data analysis, market insights, and collaborative stakeholder engagement. The Vice President helps ensure ASCs are appropriately positioned with payors, reimbursed effectively, and prepared to navigate changes in the healthcare reimbursement landscape.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Payor Strategy & Health System Alignment 
•    Drive Atlas’ payor strategy across markets in alignment with health system partners.
•    Serve as the primary Atlas interface to health system partners on ASC-related reimbursement strategy.
•    Provide data-driven insights, modeling, and strategic recommendations to drive payor contract outcomes.
•    Inform negotiation strategy, including rate positioning, contract structure, and ASC inclusion within system agreements.
•    Lead development of market intelligence, including industry trends and regulatory impacts shaping payor dynamics.
Reimbursement Analytics & Financial Impact
•    Work directly with Strategic Analytics and Finance to evaluate reimbursement performance and contract effectiveness.
•    Translate contract structures into clear financial implications and action plans.
•    Focus reporting on payor reimbursement performance, including contracted vs. realized reimbursement, case rate integrity, carve-out effectiveness, and reimbursement yield.
Payor Relations Operations & Contract Compliance
•    Oversee payor relations operations including issue resolution, audit coordination, and tracking of systemic issues.
•    Ensure contract compliance and adherence.
•    Ensure timely and accurate credentialing and payor enrollment for all ASCs.
Alternative Payment Models & Growth Initiatives
•    Develop and execute non-traditional reimbursement channels including employer-direct agreements and bundled payments.
•    Lead sourcing, structuring, and negotiation of direct to employer agreements.
Cross-Functional Integration
•    Partner with RCM, clinical, and operational leadership to ensure reimbursement requirements are translated into workflows.
•    Aggregate and elevate key reimbursement challenges and drive alignment for resolution with payors.
•    Support alignment of operations, coding, and documentation with payor expectations.
•    Performs other duties as assigned.

Performs all functions according to established policies, procedures, regulatory and accreditation requirements, as well as applicable professional standards. Provides all customers with an excellent service experience by consistently demonstrating our core and leader behaviors each and every day. 

NOTE: The essential functions are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented as outlined by the incumbent's immediate manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
•    10+ years in healthcare reimbursement, managed care, or payor strategy
•    Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field required
•    Direct payor contracting and negotiation experience (provider or payor side)
•    Experience in ASC, surgical services, or provider-side reimbursement
•    Experience with payor relations operations, including credentialing and enrollment
•    Strong financial acumen linking reimbursement to yield, margin, and case economics
•    Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, influence-based environment 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•    Master’s degree (MBA, MHA, or related discipline) preferred
•    Experience within health system-led contracting or JV environments
•    Experience with alternative payment models (e.g., employer-direct, bundles, COEs)
•    Track record leveraging analytics and finance teams to drive outcomes
•    Understanding of market, regulatory, and payor dynamics

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENT FACTORS 
OE - Typical Office Environment: 
•    Requires extensive sitting with periodic standing and walking. 
•    May be required to lift up to 20 pounds. 
•    Requires significant use of computer, phone and general office equipment. 
•    Needs adequate visual acuity, ability to grasp and handle objects. 
•    Needs ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person or on telephone. 
•    Requires off-site travel. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Includes department leaders and may include support staff as assigned.

DIRECTLY REPORTING
Reports to Chief Financial Officer

TYPE OF SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has full managerial scope and authority for employment actions, including coaching, candidate selection, training and development, performance appraisals, work assignments, and disciplinary action. 

Leadership will strive to uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization. They will serve as role models for staff and act in a people-centered, service excellence-focused, and results-oriented manner.

SCOPE AND COMPLEXITY
The Vice President, Payor Strategy & Relations provides strategic leadership for payor reimbursement initiatives across Atlas Healthcare Partners’ ambulatory surgery center portfolio. Operating within a joint venture model, this role influences payor strategy through collaboration with health system partners, executive leaders, and cross-functional teams rather than direct ownership of contract negotiations. The position requires analysis of complex reimbursement, market, and operational data to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and support growth objectives. Success in the role depends on the ability to navigate a highly matrixed environment, build strong stakeholder relationships, and drive results across multiple markets, payors, and joint venture partnerships.