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Director Provider Relations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Payor Relations is responsible for developing, managing, and strengthening ... Review and update provider portals and directories Payor Performance & Outcomes Reporting * Develop ...

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Director Provider Relations information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$99.6K

$171.2K

How much do director provider relations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director provider relations in California is $99,559.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $129,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of provider relations and how can they be addressed?

Directors of Provider Relations often encounter challenges such as managing complex contract negotiations, maintaining strong relationships with healthcare providers, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. To address these, it's important to have strong communication and negotiation skills, stay updated on industry regulations, and foster a collaborative environment with providers. Building trust and transparency with both internal teams and external partners is key to effectively navigating these challenges and ensuring successful partnerships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of provider relations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Provider Relations, you need expertise in healthcare management, contract negotiation, and provider network development, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in healthcare administration or a related field. Familiarity with healthcare information systems, claims processing platforms, and regulatory compliance tools is essential. Outstanding interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to resolve conflicts make professionals excel in this role. These skills are vital to building strong provider partnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and achieving organizational goals in a complex healthcare environment.

What is the difference between Director Provider Relations vs Provider Relations Manager?

AspectDirector Provider RelationsProvider Relations Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree, often with healthcare or business certificationsBachelor's degree, relevant certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, overseeing teams and policiesOperational focus, managing provider accounts and relationships
Employer & Industry UsageHealth insurance companies, healthcare organizationsHealth plans, insurance providers, healthcare networks
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles, strategic responsibilitiesOperational duties, day-to-day provider interactions

The main difference between a Director Provider Relations and a Provider Relations Manager lies in their scope and responsibilities. The Director focuses on strategic leadership and policy development, while the Manager handles daily provider interactions and operational tasks. Both roles require relevant healthcare or business credentials and are common in health insurance and healthcare organizations.

What is a director of provider relations?

A director of provider relations oversees relationships between a healthcare organization and its network of healthcare providers. They manage provider contracts, ensure compliance, and facilitate communication to improve service quality and operational efficiency, often requiring strong negotiation skills and industry knowledge.

What are the most commonly searched types of Provider Relations jobs in California?

The most popular types of Provider Relations jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Provider Relations jobs in California?

For Director Provider Relations jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Provider Relations jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Provider Relations jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Provider Relations jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Provider Relations job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Provider Relations job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,559 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Provider Relations Coordinator

Irvine, CA • On-site


UnitedHealth Group
Insurance Services • 10K+ employees

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

190th of 895 rated healthcare providers

Good employer

Recommended by students

Recommended by parents


Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Provider Relations Coordinator serves as a liaison between Optum and its provider network, delivering responsive support, issue resolution, and administrative coordination to promote exceptional provider satisfaction and operational efficiency. This role supports the Provider Relations Team by facilitating provider communications, collaborating on provider data and onboarding processes, maintaining network records, and assisting with provider education and engagement activities. The Coordinator plays an integral role in quality improvement initiatives by preparing performance reports, scorecards, meeting materials, and action plan documentation; conducting provider and member outreach; and supporting efforts related to HEDIS, CMS, CAHPS, and other performance measures. Additionally, the position collaborates across departments to address provider concerns, support escalation management, monitor network trends, and contribute to provider growth, retention, and overall network performance.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Service Excellence:
  • Serves as a point-of-contact to the physician network and is responsive to physician needs
  • Responds timely (within one business day) to provider issues, works with other groups/central departments to resolve issues and updates providers and office staff regularly through to resolution
  • Assists the Provider Relations team by researching and resolving issues communicated to Optum by network providers
  • Conducts outreach to provider network as needed via e-mail or telephonically to help remediate inquiries and concerns from members submitted through Optum's Patient Service Center
  • Supports Provider Relations Escalation process, through appropriate triage of issues to PR Team members, monitoring turnaround times to ensure timely resposne, and participating in provider outreach and issue resolution
  • Assists with the review, ongoing tracking and data collection for Optum's providers through the Network Services' onboarding and update processes
  • Distributes targeted network communications through email, fax and mail as directed
  • Provides administrative support to PRMs and PR Department and participates in special projects as assigned
  • Provider Training and Data Management:
  • Assists the Provider Relations team in setting up and maintaining provider e-files
  • Assists the Provider Relations team in maintaining accurate and timely provider information in Optum databases including, but not limited to, maintaining PRM database
  • Ensures that provider offices have a Curo, Optum Pro, and DataCORE "account" assigned (as applicable) and assists in the resolution of provider questions/issues related to usage of these systems and other practice tools
  • Quality Performance:
  • Supports quality performance measures (e.g., HEDIS, CMS, CAHPS) by engaging targeted provider practices and members, collaborating on improvement workplans
  • Develops and prepares monthly performance scorecards, reports, meeting materials, and action plan documentation to support PRMs' practice performance review discussions, JOMs, performance improvement initiatives and as needed/requested
  • Collaborates and aligns strategies with other regional support teams (e.g., Network Services, Population Health, Government Programs)
  • Conducts member or provider outreach in support of performance improvement initiatives including data collection, quality gap closures, appointment scheduling, quality education
  • Growth and Retention:
  • Monitors and identifies trends on membership decline and escalates to leadership as appropriate

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
  • Health plan, managed care organization, medical group physician office, IPA, or related work experience
  • Intermediate level of experience with Microsoft Suite
  • Experience working within a team-oriented environment
  • Proven excellent communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 2+ years of experience in a health plan, managed care organization, medical group physician office or IPA setting
  • Roles in Provider Relations or experience working with physicians/physician offices
  • Experience working collaboratively with diverse, cross-functional teams to achieve shared objectives

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $20.00 - $36.00 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.


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