Manager, Community Relations

Position Purpose:
Manage community relations activities for the health plan by leading direct reports responsible for community engagement, relationship building, provider and community partnerships, and field-based outreach. This role oversees local engagement strategies that strengthen community presence, support member growth and retention, improve access to health plan resources, and ensure outreach activities are executed in accordance with regulatory, contractual, and organizational standards.

Key Details: This Manager of Community Relations leads frontline staff across Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester, which involves regular travel. The role keeps regional outreach consistent and makes sure the team meets its performance goals.

• Manage and provide direct oversight to Community Relations staff, including performance management, coaching, scheduling, development, and day-to-day field execution.
• Develop and execute community engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with community-based organizations, providers, faith-based organizations, schools, advocacy groups, elected/community leaders, and other local stakeholders.
• Build, maintain, and deepen strategic partnerships that support community trust, health plan visibility, member education, growth, and retention.
• Oversee community outreach activities, events, presentations, sponsorship activations, and local engagement initiatives across assigned territories.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Provider Relations, Quality, Retention, and other internal teams to align community engagement activities with business priorities.
• Monitor community needs, market trends, competitor activity, and local partnership opportunities to inform outreach strategy and territory planning.
• Review outreach activity, event outcomes, partnership effectiveness, and productivity reports to assess performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ensure direct reports are trained on products, compliance requirements, approved talking points, outreach standards, documentation expectations, and escalation pathways.
• Support relationship-building with providers and provider-facing organizations to improve community education, referral opportunities, and access to health plan resources.
• Represent the health plan at community meetings, health fairs, provider/community forums, task forces, and stakeholder events.
• Assist with escalated community, provider, partner concerns related to outreach, education, or access.
• Ensure all community relations activities comply with applicable government, regulatory, contractual, privacy, marketing, and organizational standards.
• Prepare updates, reports, and recommendations for leadership regarding community engagement performance, partnership impact, risks, and opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Highly Preferred Experience and Skills

• People Leader/Management.
• 2+ years leading field or outreach teams, ideally in healthcare or sales.
• Proven success driving KPIs and team accountability.
• Skilled at coaching staff to stronger performance.
• Experience building community partnerships.
• Proficient in CRM, reporting tools, and Excel.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday with occasional evenings and weekends based on business needs.

Education/Experience:
Bachelor degree in public relations, marketing, health administration, public health, social services, business, communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.
5+ years of community relations, outreach, marketing, sales, public health, provider engagement, or managed care experience. Previous managed care experience preferred, especially Medicaid, Medicare, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, or other government-sponsored programs.
Experience leading, coaching, or managing field-based teams or direct reports.
Experience building relationships with community-based organizations, providers, advocacy groups, government entities, faith-based organizations, schools, or other community stakeholders.
Experience with public speaking, community presentations, partner meetings, external stakeholder engagement, and use of data/reporting to monitor outreach performance.
Driver's License: Required
Must complete and pass the NY State of Health approved training program. Must complete all required annual recertification courses/learnings.
Bilingual or multilingual capabilities preferred based on territory and community needs. Ability to work evenings/weekends as needed for community events, enrollment activity, and market support.

At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.
 

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules.  Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status.  Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act