Job Summary
The Pharmacy Network Contracting Manager supports the Director of Contracting by serving as the principal process owner for day-to-day pharmacy network contracting operations while partnering closely with Provider Relations to support a strong provider experience at scale. Operating as a highly autonomous individual contributor, this role owns the contracting pipeline and governance, and ensures agreements are negotiated, executed, and accurately configured in SmithRx’s claims adjudication system—including reimbursement rates, network participation, and effective dates. The key objective is to improve contracting throughput, consistency, configuration accuracy, and audit readiness while reducing provider friction through clear coordination, communication, and issue resolution.
What you will do
Lead day-to-day pharmacy contracting operations, serving as the principal subject matter expert and providing mentorship and process guidance to team members.
Own and optimize the contracting pipeline (intake, prioritization, aging, execution timelines, and deliverables).
Govern the end-to-end contract lifecycle across new agreements, amendments, renewals, notices, and terminations, including milestone and deadline tracking.
Lead complex contract negotiation workflows and redline reviews partnering directly with Legal and internal stakeholders to mitigate systemic risks.
Ensure all reimbursement exhibits, fee schedules, and effective dates are meticulously accurate, approved, and implementation-ready.
Drive rate loading and network configuration in the claims adjudication system to ensure executed terms are implemented accurately and on time.
Architect and enforce controls and QA frameworks for rate setup (effective dates, plan/network mapping, reimbursement logic, and exception handling).
Monitor and manage the rate load/configuration backlog, proactively prioritize urgent builds, mitigate and escalate risks that could impact go-lives or claim outcomes.
Own post-load validation checkpoints (test claims/spot checks, variance reviews, and issue triage) lead root-cause analysis and ensure corrections are completed.
Partner strategically with Provider Relations to align contracting timelines, onboarding requirements, and provider-facing communications during contracting and execution.
Act as the definitive escalation point for contracting- or configuration-related provider escalations; document root causes and drive resolution through and across the appropriate teams.
Author, govern, and maintain contracting playbooks, SOPs, templates, clause guidance, and standard responses to improve speed, consistency, and provider clarity.
Drive contract repository and configuration documentation governance (version control, naming standards, executed package completeness, approvals, and change history).
Leverage data to provide routine reporting on contracting/configuration volume, cycle time, backlog, and issue trends; lead continuous process improvement initiatives to scale operations.
Architect and maintain a comprehensive contracting knowledge base (FAQs, standard workflows, and escalation paths) to drive internal enablement and elevate the provider experience.
What you will bring to SmithRx
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience in PBM, managed care, healthcare contracting, network operations, or provider relations.
8+ years of experience in pharmacy/provider contracting, PBM network operations, or healthcare contract administration.
2+ years of experience serving as a principal subject matter expert, process owner and/or managing high-volume contracting workflows.
Exceptional ability to interpret complex contract language, lead redline negotiations, and strategically identify business, operational, and compliance risks.
Deep technical understanding of claims adjudication and pharmacy reimbursement configuration (how executed terms translate into system setup).
Proven experience architecting or overseeing rate loading and configuration accuracy, including effective-date controls and mapping requirements.
Demonstrated ability to work provider-facing issues through resolution while balancing contracting standards and operational feasibility.
Advanced cross-functional stakeholder management skills across Provider Relations, Legal, Pricing, Credentialing, Operations, Compliance, and Finance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly document complex issues, decisions, and next steps.
Meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to autonomously manage competing priorities and deadlines.
Advanced proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets and contract tracking/document management practices.
PBM pharmacy network experience (retail, PSAO/independents, specialty) preferred.
What SmithRx Offers You
Highly competitive wellness benefits including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
Flexible Spending Benefits
401(k) Retirement Savings Program
Short-term and long-term disability
Discretionary Paid Time Off
Paid Company Holidays
Wellness Benefits
Commuter Benefits
Paid Parental Leave benefits
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Well-stocked kitchen in office locations
Professional development and training opportunities
Zone A includes the following locations
San Francisco Bay Area - California
Metro New York City - Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
Zone A Pay Range
$147,900—$174,000 USD
Zone B includes the following locations
California - outside of San Francisco Bay Area
Metro Denver / Boulder - Colorado
Metro District of Columbia - District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia
Metro Boston / Cambridge - Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Metro Austin - Texas
Metro Seattle - Washington
Zone B Pay Range
$135,600—$159,500 USD
Zone C includes all other locations not listed above, including
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Non metro Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia
Zone C Pay Range
$123,300—$145,000 USD
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: The range listed above reflects our standard pay scale and actual pay will vary based on work location, job level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Total Rewards: In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, commissions, or equity. SmithRx offers a variety of benefits to help you live well, including: time off programs, medical, dental, vision, mental health support, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance and 401(k).
Individual offers are tailored to your geography, experience, skills, and education. Your recruiter can share more specific details during the hiring process. In the meantime, feel free to explore our comprehensive benefits here.
