AVP, Provider Contracting- Cleveland and North Ohio Markets

We’re looking for a bold, compassionate leader who is ready to shape the future of our provider network across the Cleveland and Northern Ohio region. In this role, you’ll guide a team, build strong partnerships, and drive strategies that help our customers get high‑quality, affordable care. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy solving complex problems, and want to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to meet you.

This role supports the Cleveland and Northern Ohio market.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high‑performing contracting team, creating a culture of growth, collaboration, and accountability.

• Drive contracting and network strategies across Commercial and other product lines to strengthen our market position.

• Negotiate complex fee‑for‑service and value‑based contracts with health systems, hospitals, and large provider groups to improve affordability and quality.

• Champion cross‑market and cross‑functional initiatives that support broader business goals.

• Build trusted, long‑term partnerships with providers to expand value‑based opportunities and deliver on local market strategy.

• Work closely with matrix partners—including Claims Operations, Medical Management, Credentialing, Legal, Medical Economics, Compliance, Sales, and Service—to support smooth network operations.

• Identify opportunities for deeper value orientation and new risk‑based arrangements that improve total medical cost.

• Manage financial impact analysis, performance projections, and scenario modeling for high‑value and complex contracts.

• Oversee provider relationship management to ensure strong communication, collaboration, and results.

• Maintain a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and provider interrelationships across assigned geographic markets.

• Ensure accurate and timely contract loading, submissions, and network implementation activities.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of provider contracting and negotiation experience with complex delivery systems.

• Experience leading or mentoring direct reports and guiding talent development.

• Proven success managing senior‑level provider relationships.

• Strong knowledge of reimbursement methodologies, including value‑based and incentive‑driven models.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong external partnerships and navigate integrated delivery systems.

• Effective communication skills with the ability to influence provider and sales audiences.

• Strong problem‑solving, decision‑making, negotiation, and financial analysis skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Healthcare, Business, or a related field. Significant industry experience may be considered in place of a degree.

• MBA or MHA.

• Experience leading in a fast‑paced, matrixed organization.

• Background in managed care, provider business models, and network strategy.

• Ability to lead through change with confidence, empathy, and clarity.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 127,900 - 213,100 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan.

At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays. For more details on our employee benefits programs, click here .

About Cigna Healthcare

Cigna Healthcare, a division of The Cigna Group, is an advocate for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, please email: [email protected] for support. Do not email [email protected] for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response.

The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.