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.

Applicants for this position have the flexibility to work remotely anywhere in the Continental United States.

Position Purpose:** The Head of Payment Innovation is responsible for the enterprise strategy, design, execution, and performance of Centene's Value Based Contracting (VBC) and payment innovation portfolio. This leader advances payment models that improve quality, affordability, provider performance, and member outcomes while ensuring alignment with Centene's enterprise network strategy, line of business priorities, state specific needs, and regulatory requirements.**This role partners closely with Network Development, Actuarial, Clinical, Quality, Product, Finance, and Health Plan leadership to develop scalable payment models, drive adoption, and ensure measurable impact on cost of care and clinical performance. The position leads a cross-functional team of VBC strategists, model designers, and performance analysts and serves as Centene's enterprise subject matter expert on payment innovation.

• Define and execute the national VBC and payment innovation strategy aligned to enterprise growth, network strategy, and product priorities.
• Ensure alignment between payment innovation initiatives and enterprise goals for cost of care, quality performance, and provider engagement.
• Lead development and standardization of enterprise payment models including shared savings, capitation, bundled, episode‑based, and quality‑incentive arrangements.
• Establish scalable frameworks, contract templates, and playbooks to support consistent national execution with market‑level flexibility.
• Own enterprise VBC portfolio performance, including financial impact, utilization, quality outcomes, and provider results.
• Partner with Medical Economics, Actuarial, and Analytics teams to define performance measurement standards and executive reporting.
• Embed payment innovation strategies into enterprise and market‑level network contracting and negotiations.
• Influence enterprise prioritization and investment decisions through a payment innovation lens.
• Required for All Jobs
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree strongly preferred
• 10+ years Progressive leadership experience in healthcare payment innovation, managed care strategy, provider contracting, or medical economics. required.
• 7+ years Demonstrated success leading large‑scale, multi‑market VBC programs across Medicaid, Medicare (including MA/D‑SNP), and/or commercial markets. required.
• 7+ years Proven experience leading enterprise or multi-market VBC programs in Medicaid, Medicare, and/or commercial markets. required.
• 7+ years Strong financial literacy, including actuarial and risk arrangement understanding. required.
• 7+ years Experience negotiating with C-suite provider leadership and managing large-scale VBC initiatives. required.
• Experience with state health plans or national Medicaid organizations. preferred.
• Knowledge of LTSS, behavioral health integration, and SDOH programs. preferred.
• Or equivalent experience acquired through accomplishments of applicable knowledge, duties, scope and skill reflective of the level of this position.

Pay Range: $250,000 - $480,000 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