Manager, Payor Strategy and Contracting

Position: Manager, Payor Strategy & Contracting (Contract) Location: Remote About the Company Wheel is evolving the traditional care ecosystem by equipping the nation's most innovative companies with a premier platform to deliver high-quality virtual care at scale. We offer proven strategies and cutting-edge technologies to foster consumer engagement, build brand loyalty, and maximize return on investment. Wheel solutions include configurable virtual care programs, an intuitive consumer interface, and access to a nationwide network of board-certified clinicians. Discover how Wheel is transforming the future of healthcare by visiting www.wheel.com http://www.wheel.com. About the Role We are seeking a payor contracting leader to architect and execute Wheel’s payer strategy during a critical phase of growth. This role is not administrative - it is high-impact, externally facing, and directly tied to revenue, margin, and scalability. You will lead complex payer negotiations, design economically sound contract structures, and bring established relationships and credibility with national and regional health plans. The right candidate understands how to translate innovative care models into compelling payer value propositions - and has the track record to get those deals across the finish line at strong rates. This role will also serve as a strategic partner to leadership, ensuring payer agreements align with Wheel’s evolving care models, pricing strategy, and long-term margin goals. WHAT YOU’LL OWN Payer Strategy & Negotiation - Lead end-to-end negotiation of payer agreements, including FFS, value-based, risk-bearing, and hybrid models - Drive rate optimization and contract structures that improve contribution margin and long-term scalability - Leverage existing payer relationships to accelerate deal cycles and unlock favorable terms - Review health plan contract language, and is familiar with payor, medical group/IPA, and hospital/ancillary contract language and reimbursement mechanisms - Applies knowledge of healthcare delivery system, IPA operations, managed care, healthcare laws in assisting with the development of contracting strategies - Build tools and reporting that give leadership visibility into payer performance and opportunities Deal Architecture & Financial Alignment - Partner with Legal, Finance and Ops to align contracts with unit economics, pricing strategy, and regulatory requirements/healthcare laws - Translate clinical programs (virtual care, longitudinal care, life sciences) into compelling, reimbursable models - Ensure contracts support enterprise goals around margin expansion and sustainable growth Cross-Functional Leadership - Act as the central quarterback across Legal, Finance, Clinical, and Ops to structure and finalize deals - Provide clear guidance on tradeoffs, risks, and strategic implications of contract terms - Build internal clarity on how payer dynamics impact product, pricing, and operations Market Intelligence & Relationship Management - Maintain and deepen senior-level relationships across national and regional payers - Bring forward insights on payer priorities, reimbursement trends, and competitive positioning - Position Wheel as a credible, strategic partner WHO YOU ARE - 8–10+ years in managed care contracting, with a strong track record of leading negotiations with national and regional health plans - Proven ability to secure competitive rates and structure complex agreements (FFS, VBC, risk-based) - Established strategic payor relationships — you know who to call, and they pick up - Deep understanding of reimbursement models, healthcare economics, and virtual care delivery - Experience aligning contracting strategy with financial models, pricing, and operational realities - Highly credible communicator who can operate at both executive and operator levels - Comfortable in ambiguity — able to build structure where none exists and move quickly WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE - Accelerated execution o