Associate Director, Quality Strategies and Initiatives – Remote

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

 

The Associate Director, Quality Strategies and Initiatives supports the Optum Health Enterprise Senior Vice President (SVP) of Quality Performance and Quality team in carrying out quality strategies and initiatives. This role will also function as an Associate Chief of Staff to the SVP of Quality Performance. Responsibilities for this rule include, but are not limited to, assisting the Chief of Staff in the oversight of planning, organizing, directing and reporting of Quality improvement strategies that drives Stars performance. Provides leadership to and is accountable for the performance and direction through multiple layers of management and senior-level professional staff. Responsible for coordinating with appropriate personnel to meet operational program needs and ensuring compliance with state/federal health plan requirements, Medicare guidelines, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and health plan requirements. Contributes to long-term planning and provides oversight to ensure activities are appropriately integrated into strategic direction and operations, as well as the mission and values of the company. Coordinates and aligns Quality strategy, joint operating committees (JOCs) and deliverables with strategic health plan partners.

 

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assists the Chief of Staff in managing the day-to-day operations within the Quality department
• Provides direction and support for the Optum Health Office of Quality Performance, as needed
• Provides leadership, coordination, and support in establishing and directing national quality program strategic initiatives, National Quality leaders and health plan partners
• Collaborates with quality and physician leaders at the national and local market level to plan a winning quality strategy to achieve 4+ Star Ratings performance for Medicare Advantage business
• Develops and deploys scalable infrastructure to support multi-payor healthcare delivery model
• Promotes understanding, communication, and coordination of all quality improvement program components and provider quality tools
• Coordinates reporting on quality initiatives to all appropriate Senior Leaders, committees, and strategic partners
• Participates in various teams, committees, and meetings at any level required to maintain business necessity
• Maintains Quality program documents, reports, and committee minutes and follows all internal privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures
• Leads the coordination and completion of projects with cross-functional teams and senior leaders across medical/nursing/clinical functional areas to achieve targeted clinical strategic performance goals
• May support standard process development, workflow mapping, performance monitoring, and strategy development using process improvement methodologies to identify workflow gaps and establish future-state recommendations
• Perform other duties, as assigned

 

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working with CMS STAR quality programs
• Experience working with CAHPS, HOS, Medicare Stars, and HEDIS requirements
• Experience in managed or value-based care Quality programs
• Demonstrate expertise in Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), including the ability to design and develop high-impact deliverables for Executive Leadership, with a focus on clarity, visual storytelling, and strategic messaging
• Demonstrate knowledge of the business environment (e.g., strategy changes, emerging business needs)
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, managers, healthcare professionals, physicians, senior administration, and external partners
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25%, both locally and non-locally

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of management-level experience in managed care quality programs
• Experience as an Associate Chief of Staff or Chief of Staff
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, managers, healthcare professionals, physicians, and other members of senior administration and the general public
• Experience setting the strategy and developing policies, procedures, and resources
• Demonstrate knowledge of the business environment and business requirements (e.g., strategy changes, emerging business needs, etc.)
• Excellent verbal, written communication, presentation, and facilitation skills

 

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

 

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $110,200 to $188,800 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. 

 

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes – an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

 

 

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

 

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.