VP, Minnesota State Government Affairs – Minnetonka, MN

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that’s dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a diverse team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Vice President, State Government Affairs will be part of the UHG External Affairs organization, responsible for working with colleagues across External Affairs and the Company to develop and implement strategies on the company’s declared state government advocacy, growth, relationship and reputational priorities and overall business advancement initiatives with key state policymakers. The individual will be the primary liaison for Minnesota between the Company and state and local leaders, including Administration, legislators, and their staffs, as well as agency officials and external stakeholders. The candidate will report to the Regional Vice President, State Government Affairs.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Driving and contributing to effective advocacy efforts to advance the company’s state advocacy and growth opportunities
• Facilitating business segment leaders’ relationships with key state and local elected officials
• Actively engaging in lobbying activities and advocacy efforts with the State Legislature and the Executive branch
• Developing, fostering, and strengthening relationships with key legislative members, legislative staff, and key personnel in the Administration and relevant Executive Branch agencies primarily in Minnesota. to impact priority legislative and regulatory outcomes
• Establishing and maintaining engagement with influential third parties including Health Plan Associations, industry partners and business groups, external coalitions, advocacy groups, thought leaders, and other stakeholders in a position to influence state outcomes
• Anticipating, influencing, and monitoring legislative and regulatory initiatives that may impact the Company as well as emerging state issues that impact the Company’s reputation and business and developing and executing strategies to manage them
• Directing the company’s state advocacy consultants on key advocacy, growth, and relationship development priorities
• Proactively contributing to comprehensive strategic plans that leverage direct advocacy, policy and research, coalitions, third party engagement and public opinion to advance the company’s objectives through compelling advocacy at the state level
• Developing and contributing to a wide range of timely written deliverables with the highest standards of professionalism
• Work closely with colleagues and in-market business segments to drive visibility on key Company initiatives in the states
• Building and managing relationships with internal business leaders and partnering with them on state advocacy and growth initiatives
• Working closely with Company leaders to develop and execute the Company’s political engagement strategy
• Responding to inquiries on state issues from senior leaders and keeping senior leaders informed about priority ongoing developments and priority issues
• Leverage new and existing relationships to identify and expand Company opportunities across Minnesota

Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge:

• Impeccable personal character and high integrity – able to represent the company with the highest standards of professionalism in internal and external settings
• A team player who works well with others
• Highly motivated and reliable, with a strong work ethic and deep pride in one’s work
• Meaningful existing relationships and credibility with state policymakers in the region; firm understanding of state legislative and executive processes and key players and ability to navigate and achieve results in assigned states
• Outstanding written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to consistently prepare high-quality, time-sensitive internal and external deliverables
• Ability to thrive in an intense, accountable environment for a complex, highly diversified industry- leading, mission-oriented company committed to improving access, affordability, experience, and outcomes for the people we are privileged to serve
• Solid detail orientation and ability to consistently manage projects and/or contribute to activities with the highest degree of quality, professionalism, and responsiveness
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Thorough knowledge of region’s legislative and regulatory processes
• Keen political acumen and ability to navigate issues comprehensively – inclusive of direct advocacy, policy and research, coalitions, third party engagement and public opinion
• Eagerness to learn, improve, grow, and learn new opportunities – including demonstrating responsiveness to constructive feedback
• Ability to pivot and quickly adapt in response to changes in the external environment or company priorities

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:

• 7+ years of experience working with the state Legislature, the Executive Branch, municipal government officials, government relations, public policy, advocacy, government affairs, or campaigns
• Local and commutable to Minnetonka, MN offices

Preferred Qualifications:

• Political campaign experience
• Healthcare industry experience

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.