Strategic Partnerships Director

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Identify, investigate, and prioritize high-value provider organizations and healthcare systems in targeted markets.

• Develop and implement outreach strategies to gain access and foster trust with C-suite and executive leaders.

• Act as Essence Healthcare’s key brand ambassador and external representative in new markets.

• Clearly communicate the plan’s unique value proposition and clinical models.

• Build relationships within regional healthcare ecosystems to establish Essence Healthcare as a preferred Medicare Advantage partner.

• Perform market analyses encompassing competitive dynamics, provider readiness, strategic alignment, and financial viability.

• Convert market data, provider insights, and product capabilities into strategic partnership plans.

• Collaborate with Network, Product, Finance, Actuarial, Legal, Marketing, Contracting, and Operations teams on partnership structures and execution.

• Create and present business cases and strategic value propositions to provider C-suite leadership teams.

• Facilitate strategic discussions between Essence Healthcare and potential partner organizations.

• Manage the entire relationship process from initial engagement to opportunity development, internal coordination, and transition.

• Keep an organized pipeline and provide milestone reports to the SVP, Growth, and executive stakeholders.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams around partnership priorities and selective market-entry decisions.

• Lead executive sponsorship and strategic discussions to promote high-value partnerships.

• Gather market intelligence and competitor trends to enhance partnership strategy and product positioning.

• Maintain strategic oversight and relationship continuity through diligence, contracting, and final execution.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.

• A Master's in Public Health (MPH), Business Administration (MBA), or Healthcare Administration (MHA) is preferred.

• Over 12 years of progressive experience in healthcare business development, network development, strategic sales, or managed care contracting.

• At least 5 years of experience in high-level strategic business development, complex enterprise sales, or negotiating value-based care partnerships.

• A robust, pre-existing professional network of provider and health system contacts within Essence Healthcare's key markets (IL, KY, AR, or MO).

• Strong understanding of Medicare Advantage and health system economics, including managed care dynamics, value-based care structures, CMS risk adjustment, provider reimbursement methodologies, health system financial drivers, and strategic partnership economics.

• Proven ability to engage, present to, and influence senior healthcare executives (CEOs, CFOs, CMOs).

• Capability to independently navigate and finalize complex joint-venture agreements, Letters of Intent (LOIs), and strategic partner alignments.

• Proficient in utilizing data and strategic judgment to identify and prioritize target markets and pursue strategic provider and health system partnerships.

• Expert ability to synthesize market research, provider performance metrics, competitive intelligence, payer network composition, and related data.

• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

• Authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Plans.

• Tax-Advantage Savings Accounts (FSA & HSA).

• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance.

• Paid Time Off (PTO, Sick Time, Paid Leave, Volunteer & Wellness Days).

• Employee Assistance Program.

• 401k with company match.

• Employee Resource Groups.

• Employee Discount Program.

• Learning and Development Opportunities.

• Performance-based incentive and/or equity may apply depending on the position.

• Remote work arrangement.

• Travel up to 50% for in-market C-suite presence and strategic meetings.