Network Manager, Payor Strategy and Network Development - Managed Care Contracting - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Exempt) (Non-Union)

The Network Manager, Payor Strategy and Network Development is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of USC's Health Plan Network. This role focuses on identifying network gaps, assisting with provider contracting, strengthening relationships with network providers, and supporting integration and network operations, alongside Keck Medicine's Value Based Services Organization (VBSO). The Network Manager reports to the Associate Administrator of Payor Strategy and Network Development, but also collaborates closely with internal stakeholders across legal, finance, operations, health plan leadership, and the VBSO to help ensure a high-performing, strategically aligned provider network. Key responsibilities include analyzing network composition and access, evaluating provider performance data, and identifying opportunities for network growth, operational improvement, and alignment with value-based care initiatives. The Network Manager serves as a key point of contact for network-related operational matters, working directly with internal health plan and health system partners to promote efficiency and effective collaboration. This role also contributes to broader health plan strategy initiatives, including support for health plan analytics, contract review, provider onboarding, and strategic expansion efforts. Additional duties may include maintaining accurate network documentation and assisting with data tracking related to contracts' operational outcomes. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of managed care operations and contracting, experience with value-based care models, and building strong relationships with both internal and external partners are essential. The ideal candidate is highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities independently, and comfortable working across teams to support USC's network and payor strategy goals.

Essential Duties:

• Analyze and identify health plan network gaps to support network development and contracting efforts.
• Assist with provider contracting strategies and onboarding to address identified network deficiencies.
• Manage and maintain relationships with health plan network providers in collaboration with internal teams.
• Support the integration of network providers with Keck Medicine's Value Based Services Organization (VBSO).
• Collaborate with legal, finance, operations, and other stakeholders to ensure network operations are aligned with organizational goals.
• Review provider and health plan performance metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date network documentation and provider data.
• Support special projects and payor strategy initiatives, including network expansion and performance improvement efforts.
• Assist in resolving network-related operational issues and provider escalations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Payor Strategy and Network Development team

Required Qualifications:

• Req Bachelor's Degree Business Administrative or related field

• Req 4 years Experience in Managed Care/Network Development experience in Payor/Medical Group/Hospital environments.

• Req Strong understanding of health plan network development and provider contracting.
• Req Familiarity with managed care principles, value-based care models, and network adequacy standards.
• Req Knowledge of California healthcare market.
• Req Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong provider and payor relationships.
• Req Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to interpret and act on provider and payor performance data.
• Req Proficient in tracking and maintaining network documentation, provider rosters, and contract performance metrics.
• Req Strong project management skills to manage multiple projects and priorities independently.
• Req Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Req Effective verbal and written communication skills for collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Req Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pref Master's degree Business Administrative or MPH related field
• Pref Knowledge of California regulatory landscape, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Commercial requirements
• Pref Experience working with Academic Medical Centers and complex health systems.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

The annual base salary range for this position is $95,680.00 - $158,230.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.