Centene Corp. has hired former Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster as the managed care company's senior vice president, corporate services.

Koster will report to Clayton-based Centene's chairman, president and CEO Michael Neidorff, the company said in a statement, and Koster "will assist in business-related issues, outside of government relations, for Centene's locally-based health plans across the country."

Koster's appointment is effective immediately. "I look forward to bringing Mr. Koster on board to build upon our diverse breadth of expertise and leadership on our senior team," Neidorff said in a statement. "Mr. Koster brings a unique perspective to our business, which will help us continue to drive long-term growth, and most importantly, deliver better health outcomes for our members at lower costs for our state partners."

Koster was attorney general for the past eight years before running unsuccessfully for governor in 2016. Prior to his role as attorney general, Koster was in the Missouri Senate for four years, and was prosecuting attorney in Cass County for a decade.