VP of Network Strategy & Market Development at UNITE HERE HEALTH – Oak Brook, Illinois

UNITE HERE HEALTH serves over 200,000 workers and their families in the hospitality and gaming industry nationwide. Our desire to be innovative and progressive drives us to develop impactful programs and benefits designed to engage our participants in managing their own health and healthcare. Our vision is exciting and challenging. Please read on to learn more about this great opportunity!

The Vice President of Network Strategy & Market Development is a senior executive leader responsible for designing, executing, and optimizing Aurora’s managed care plan and provider network and market management strategy. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to the Fund’s Aurora staff and oversee network contracting, provider partnerships, vendor management, and market development to ensure the organization delivers competitive, high-quality, cost-effective care solutions across Aurora’s regions/markets. This position is a key contributor to the overall performance of the Aurora-based Plan.

This role will provide overall strategic guidance to the Aurora Plan Units, leading the development of a comprehensive network strategy—including contracting with managed care plans, direct contracts with hospital systems, provider groups, and ancillary service providers to strengthen our Aurora plan performance on cost and position the organization for increased growth. This position directs the negotiation and management of health plan, provider, and other vendor agreements, cultivates strategic partnerships with health systems, key physician groups, and other strategic market partners, and ensures strong operational performance of contracted vendors/providers. The leader also oversees vendor selection and performance to support network adequacy, access, and service delivery.

Working closely with executive leadership, the VP analyzes market trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes to identify opportunities for expansion and differentiation. The role is accountable for vendor and market performance metrics, total cost of care initiatives as it relates to contracting, and market-level business results related to our contracts. This position requires strong strategic vision, deep managed care expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence both internal and external stakeholders.

Key Functions Include:

Vendor Management

The Vice President will oversee a vendor management team (MCVA) to ensure that upon the closure of critical deals with vendors, all onboarding and implementation issues are addressed, and performance is monitored closely to extract full value from vendor partnerships. Under the direction of the Vice President, the MCVA Team will support final negotiations; coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to implement contracts; and manage day-to-day contractual relationships with a wide range of managed care partners (contracted network carriers, vendors and preferred providers).

Network Contracting Strategy and Execution

The Vice President will oversee the network contracting strategy and execution team and provide expert guidance in the design, negotiation and execution of advanced contracting models and cultivation of key provider partnerships. They will ensure UHH’s contracting strategy is centered around improving affordability, quality and overall network performance. The Vice President will drive innovation in UHH’s contracting strategy, including the exploration of opportunities to increase quality and decrease costs through both standard and novel arrangements with third party administrators, direct contracts with providers, value-based contracts, carve outs, point solutions and other approaches that deliver value.

Market Development

The Vice President will provide oversight to the team to build a deep understanding of major UHH markets (Chicago, NYC, Boston, AC, national Food Service Plan) and provide clear guidance on where to invest, intervene or innovate. They will guide the examination of key trends, market dynamics, local legislation and policy activity, and union and employer points of view to anticipate future impacts and translate intelligence into actionable, market-specific strategies that increase quality, decrease costs and deliver positive member experience.

The Vice President will work in close collaboration with peers, including the Aurora Plan Units VP of Clinical Affairs, VP of Operations and the Chief Information Officer. They will develop and deepen relationships with key vendors, maintain high-level relationships with trustees, monitor and encourage robust and productive working relationships between the Regions and Aurora Operations. They will also collaborate with the Business & Healthcare Analytics team and the Chief Underwriter to proactively assess the value of contracted programs and services and identify opportunities for improvement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Network Strategy & Optimization

• Oversee the development of the Aurora Plans’ network strategy to ensure operational excellence, scalability, modernization, and long-term sustainability
• Guide the evaluation of current network performance, identification of gaps, and implementation of strategies to improve service quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness
• Work with teams to drive network innovation by assessing emerging technologies, industry trends, and competitive changes affecting strategic direction
• Oversee strategic planning cycles, infrastructure roadmaps, and network transformation initiatives

Vendor Management & Oversight

• Direct the end-to-end vendor management function, including vendor selection, contracting, onboarding, performance management, and strategic alignment
• Guide team to negotiate high-value contracts and partnerships to secure favorable terms, service levels, and financial benefits
• Ensure vendor governance frameworks, SLAs, and performance scorecards are in place and managed to drive accountability
• Build and maintain long-term strategic relationships with the leadership of key vendors, partners, and service providers

Market Development & Growth

• Build out a market development function to identify and evaluate new market opportunities, partnership models, and strategic alliances that support organizational growth and competitive positioning
• Guide the team to analyze markets to assess industry landscapes, customer needs, and emerging trends
• Oversee the development of new business initiatives, service offerings, or expansion plans that align with organizational goals
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to execute market development strategies that enhance value and drive sustainable growth

Financial & Operational Management

• Supervise financial planning, forecasting, cost modeling, and budgeting for network and vendor-related functions
• Ensure efficient utilization of resources and deliver on targets related to cost savings, ROI, and operational improvements
• Work closely with Aurora Plan Units VP of Clinical Affairs, VP of Operations and CIO to collaborate and align efforts

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide strategic leadership to teams responsible for network planning, optimization, vendor oversight, and market development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term growth strategies
• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams by setting clear expectations, fostering accountability, and cultivating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Coach and mentor team members and people leaders, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities that strengthen individual capabilities and organizational bench strength
• Promote a learning-oriented environment that encourages innovation, cross-functional problem-solving, and adoption of best practices and emerging technologies
• Model effective leadership behaviors, including transparency, integrity, strong communication, decisive action, and inclusive engagement across diverse teams
• Drive talent development and succession planning, identifying high-potential employees and preparing future leaders for key roles within the network strategy and vendor management functions
• Foster strong cross-functional relationships with operations, IT, finance, procurement, compliance, and executive leadership to ensure cohesive strategy execution and shared accountability
• Champion organizational change, helping teams navigate transformation, new operating models, and evolving priorities with clarity and resilience
• Plans, analyzes, and evaluates programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints
• Supervises, leads, and delegates work and coaches, mentors, develops employees
• Analyzes problems, identifies, and develops alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendation/solutions
• Recommends hires and promotions, directs, and evaluates employment decisions for all assigned positions
• Assists with developing and coordinating policies and procedures
• Responsible for the oversight of continued employee training requirements, safety, and quality initiatives
• Exemplifies the Fund's values in leading and fostering a respectful, trusting and engaged culture of inclusion and engagement.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in network strategy, vendor management, and market development across complex, multi-partner environments
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field from an accredited institution, or significant related experience in lieu of education
• Master’s Degree (preferred) in business administration, Healthcare Administration or Public Health or another related field
• The ability to travel between 15 - 25% based on business needs
• Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise-level network strategies that improve performance, reduce costs, and support long-term growth
• Expertise in building and managing large-scale vendor ecosystems, including contract negotiation, SLA governance, performance optimization, and risk mitigation
• Demonstrated success driving market expansion initiatives, developing new partnerships, and identifying strategic growth opportunities
• Strong financial acumen with experience leading multimillion-dollar budgets, forecasting, cost modeling, and ROI-driven investment planning
• Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams and influencing executives and cross-functional stakeholders
• Highly skilled in data-driven decision-making, market and competitive analysis, and applying insights to guide strategic direction
• Adept at leading complex transformation programs and navigating organizational change, ambiguity, and high-impact decision environments
• Outstanding executive communication skills, with experience presenting to C-suite leaders, boards, regulators, and external partners
• Deep understanding of industry technologies, network operations, regulatory requirements, and emerging trends that impact market and vendor strategies
• Understanding of current benefits legislation (e.g., Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), etc.)
• Strategic planning with the ability to translate fund priorities into measurable operational and vendor outcomes
• Effective communication with boards of trustees, union leaders, employer groups, and external partners
• Expertise in managing vendor ecosystems to maintain compliance and strategic alignment
• Demonstrated success in supporting trustees with vendor accountability and value assessments.
• Skilled at spotting market and partnership opportunities that deliver cost savings and improved member outcomes.
• Strong background in implementing forward-thinking strategies without compromising continuity.
• Skilled at navigating ambiguity and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.

Salary range for this position: Salary $285,000 - $300,000. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to: relevant experience, qualifications, expertise, certifications, licenses, education or equivalent work experience, time in role, peer and market data, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location.

Work Schedule (may vary to meet business needs): Monday~Friday, 7.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week) as a remote employee with 15% - 25% travel based business needs.

We reward great work with great benefits, including but not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time-Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, 401(k), Short- & Long-term Disability, Pension, Life, AD&D, Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare & dependent care), Commuter Transit, Tuition Assistance, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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