Director of Communications – Optum Health – 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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

 

The Director, Optum Health Communications is responsible for communications strategy and execution with primary emphasis supporting the care delivery business. This individual serves as lead strategic communications counsel for a care delivery region and partners across the region, business and enterprise with OH communications colleagues (integrated and embedded), External Affairs, Marketing, Clinical, Operations, People Team, Legal, Compliance and other enterprise partners to advance business objectives. 

 

This role is designed to support the evolution of the communications function to align with the OH structure and help advance the business’ vision for One Optum Health by better aligning and coordinating communications between and among markets, regions and business lines.

 

This role provides direct management of OH  communicators and reports to the Vice President, Communications.

 

This individual will also contribute strategic and executional support in support of broader business threats and opportunities as directed by the Vice President, Communications.

 

If you are located in Boston or NYC area, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. 

 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Establish and expand trust-based relationships with care delivery region leaders through proactive, ongoing, disciplined engagement and expert strategic counsel  
• Contribute to and execute integrated communications strategies to advance region and broader OH business priorities. Execute integrated communications and visibility plans, activities and events to support and advance region and priorities and connect dots between among business, regions and colleagues
• Work across the region to assess opportunities to foster connectivity, share information and resources and ensure alignment with OH business priorities and enterprise interests
• Provide strategic counsel and support to individual care delivery organizations to advance local communications and reputation priorities
• Engage in declared and emergent priority issues as needed; contribute to and assist in the tactical execution of strategic initiatives with an emphasis on deliverables, timelines, metrics and budgets
• Partner across the communications organization to assess and optimize existing channels and tools to strengthen employees’ understanding of company strategy and culture, while also spearheading the exploration of new and innovative technologies to reach and engage a diverse range of internal audiences
• Develop and execute an engagement and awareness-building strategy that amplifies the distinctive, positive impact OH is having in improving access to quality care and better patient experiences and driving lower total medical costs
• Effectively manage issues and crisis communications as needed at the local level, collaborating with business and functional partners to respond appropriately and effectively
• Write and develop content tailored to the specific medium and audience requirements. Adapt style/tone to meet the needs of the specific message/leader/audience/channel
• Enforce quality standards and protocols that ensure consistently exceptional, high-quality work product, including all written materials and messaging generated by the team
• Analyze data and results from completed communications campaigns and tactics to identify and implement opportunities to improve content, delivery approaches and overall effectiveness
• Lead communications professionals in delivering strategic priorities that deepen employees’ connection to the business and advance business goals with key external stakeholders
• Provide consistent, hands-on support and coaching to communications team members through expert guidance, support and mentorship
• Set a positive example as a team and cultural leader, consistently demonstrating and advancing company values and by modeling the four CLL core competencies for UHG communicators

 

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: 

• Extensive writing and editing experience with an uncompromising eye for quality and clarity. Ability to flex and write/edit effectively for different audiences, applying appropriate tone, detail and message elevation for each unique situation
• Demonstrated experience and skill working with news media, combined with a proven ability to positively and effectively influence reporting and resulting coverage. Experience serving as a spokesperson
• Demonstrated experience and skill leading a high-performing, strategic communications team
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading successful multi-channel engagement campaigns integrating traditional, digital and social media strategies
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing emerging and urgent issues and crises with significant reputational and business implications, and the ability to develop and implement strategic, effective response plans taking into account various audiences
• Proven ability to proactively and quickly recognize and assess reputational opportunities and issues, effectively communicating both the implications of the issue at hand and a clear path forward to executive stakeholders and team members
• Proven ability to prioritize and operate effectively in a highly matrixed, complex business and communications environment, including simultaneously supporting multiple stakeholders and effectively advancing multiple communication priorities
• Proven ability and willingness to collaborate with communications leaders across multiple businesses, in the interest of telling a more integrated, holistic story and protecting and elevating the reputation of the broader enterprise
• Proven seasoned corporate communication professional with demonstrated success working with senior executive level clients and stakeholders, and building solid relationships across business groups and functions

 

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

 

New York Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $122,100 to $234,700 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.  

 

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.   

 

 

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

 

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