Director, Physician Compensation

General Description

The Director of Physician Compensation is responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and oversight of physician compensation programs across OU Health. This leadership role ensures alignment with organizational goals, regulatory compliance, market competitiveness, and physician engagement. The director collaborates closely with senior leaders from OU Health and the OU College of Medicine, as well as legal, finance, human resources, and physician stakeholders, to manage all aspects of provider compensation. This includes base salaries, productivity incentives, quality metrics, and other performance-based models. The role also supports strategic growth initiatives, fosters transparency and equity, and leads a high-performing team to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

• Partner with senior physician and administrative leadership to design and implement compensation models that promote equity, transparency, and sustainability. 

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including Fair Market Value (FMV) and commercial reasonableness standards.

• Conduct regular benchmarking using industry surveys such as MGMA, AMGA, and Sullivan Cotter to inform compensation strategy.

• Collaborate with legal, finance, HR, and operational teams to structure, review, and refine provider contracts and compensation arrangements.

• Support physician recruitment and retention through competitive, market-aligned compensation strategies.

• Lead the annual compensation review cycle, including salary adjustments, incentive calculations, and bonus distributions. 

• Educate physician leaders and executives on compensation plan design, performance metrics, and incentive structures.

• Advise on business planning and strategic growth initiatives to ensure financial alignment and compensation sustainability.

• Partner with finance and analytics teams to ensure accurate reporting of productivity metrics (e.g., wRVUs), quality outcomes, and other performance-based incentives.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation and audit trails for all physician compensation arrangements.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Monitor market trends and legislative developments to proactively adjust compensation strategies and maintain organizational agility.

General Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, health care management, finance, or related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience in provider compensation, healthcare finance, or a related field, and at least 5 years of progressive leadership experience required.

License/Certification/Registration Requirements

• None required. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), HFMA certification or other relevant credentials preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Expertise in physician productivity metrics, including wRVUs and value-based care incentives.

• Experience working in a multi-specialty or hospital-based provider environment.

• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and balance competing priorities with diplomacy and strategic focus.

• In-depth knowledge of healthcare provider compensation models, regulatory compliance standards, and industry benchmarks.

• Strong project management, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills, with a commitment to clarity and collaboration.

• Ability to translate complex compensation structures into clear, stakeholder-friendly communications that foster understanding and trust.

• Proficiency in interpreting and applying federal and state regulations related to physician compensation, including Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute.

• Skilled in developing and maintaining audit-ready documentation and internal controls to support compliance and transparency.

• Experience designing and refining compensation frameworks that support strategic growth, scalability, and financial sustainability.