Payer Partnerships Director

About the Role:

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Payer Partnership Director to lead the contracting strategy and execution for our Health Plans & Health Systems (HP/HS) vertical. In this role, you will partner closely with business development and the solutions team to drive our market strategy, forge net-new relationships, and ensure optimal payer coverage to support our growth and expand access to care across each market.

We are looking for someone familiar with cutting-edge approaches to payer contracting in behavioral health at the regional and national level—moving beyond traditional fee-for-service models to champion bundled rates and innovative programs. You will approach these partnerships by offering a value add: directly addressing specialty network gaps and designing tailored products that perfectly match the needs of our payer partners.

Responsibilities

Payer Contracting Strategy & Execution:

• Lead the end-to-end payer contracting strategy to secure net-new contracts and expand payer coverage in key target markets.
• Negotiate rates, terms, and contract language with national and regional health plans, ensuring agreements are financially viable, sustainable, and aligned with Lyra’s broader business goals.
• Drive the execution of the contracting roadmap from initial outreach to contract execution and implementation.

Market Activation & Cross-Functional Alignment:

• Partner closely with Operations, Business Development, and Clinical leadership to intimately understand the market activation strategy and prioritize contracting targets accordingly.
• Translate market expansion and business development goals into actionable, targeted network development initiatives to ensure robust coverage for prospective and existing clients.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on the payer landscape for internal cross-functional teams, driving alignment on shared goals.

Relationship Development & Management:

• Cultivate, build, and manage strong, long-term relationships with key decision-makers and network managers at national and regional health plans.
• Act as the primary relationship owner for payer partners, navigating complex organizational structures to establish Lyra as a preferred behavioral health partner.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Initiatives:

• Analyze market trends, competitive intelligence, and reimbursement landscapes to continuously refine and inform Lyra’s contracting playbook.
• Track and report on contracting KPIs and network adequacy, nimbly adjusting and reprioritizing strategies to optimize access to care for our members.

Qualifications

• Experience: 12+ years of progressive experience in payer contracting, network development, or managed care, preferably within the digital health, behavioral health, or health tech space.
• Negotiation Expertise: Proven track record of successfully sourcing, negotiating, and executing complex fee-for-service and/or value-based contracts with national and regional health plans.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Significant experience driving alignment across business development, operations, and executive teams to push toward a shared market strategy.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the health plan landscape, credentialing processes, reimbursement methodologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Agility & Drive: A self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, with a proven ability to independently build net-new relationships and navigate long, complex sales/contracting cycles.