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Centene
Missouri

Vice President, Clinical Operations - Behavioral Health UM

Mental Health TherapyFull-Time

Listed compensation

$172k-$327k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 41m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Position Purpose

Oversee and direct all clinical operations, including care management and coordination, and utilization management

Establish the business unit’s clinical strategic vision, objectives, policies and procedures to ensure delivery of cost effective, clinically appropriate services in all markets.

Monitor performance results against established metrics and benchmarks and recommend improvement opportunities.

  • Serve as the subject matter expert and participate in all new implementations.
  • Oversee utilization and care management across all markets.
  • Participate in customer, health plan, and QI meetings.
  • Oversee the production of reports required by the contract and management.
  • Collaborate with various departments to resolve provider claims issues.
  • Ensure effective care is delivered to members while achieving utilization management goals.
  • Oversee annual budget for clinical operations.
  • Drive efforts to increase staff expertise at shaping providers to perform more effectively in the delivery of care, including development of training programs.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Complies with all policies and standards.

Education/Experience

Master's Degree in Behavioral Health, Psychology, Public Health/Administration, related field or RN license required.

  • 8+ years of clinical and operations experience in the behavioral health industry required.
  • Previous management experience including responsibilities for hiring, training, assigning work and managing performance of staff.
  • Unrestricted license as a LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PhD, PsyD or RN required.
  • Or equivalent experience acquired through accomplishments of applicable knowledge, duties, scope and skill reflective of the level of this position.
  • Pay Range: $171,900.00 - $326,900.00 per year

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

Key Responsibilities

The Vice President of Clinical Operations oversees and directs all clinical operations, including care management and utilization management, to ensure the delivery of cost-effective and clinically appropriate services. They are responsible for establishing strategic vision, monitoring performance metrics, managing budgets, and driving staff development initiatives.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field or an RN license, along with an unrestricted license such as LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PhD, PsyD, or RN. A minimum of 8 years of clinical and operations experience in the behavioral health industry is required, including significant management experience.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
10+ years of experience

Key Skills

Strategic planningBudget managementQuality improvementProvider relationsHealthcare administrationLeadership

Mental Health Therapy Career Context

Centene holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 76/100, 21 active listings.

Of the 34 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 9% are remote, 41% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 11.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Missouri is 90.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$249k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $275k in an average-cost state. 60.1% of Missouri clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score
Centene logo

About Centene

Hospitals and Health Care
Saint Louis, MO
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Health insurance
401K and stock purchase plans
Tuition reimbursement
Paid time off plus holidays
Flexible work schedules