Associate Director of Business Strategy/ Utilization Management – 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.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify product development durations, effort, sequence, and dependencies required to meet applicable application objectives
• Oversee the refinement of product requirements and translation of specifications from the clinical and operations team in partnership with all vendors
• Provide guidance, expertise, and/or assistance to internal and/or external partners to ensure programs and strategies are implemented and maintained effectively
• Serve as the Solutions Strategist to determine competitive landscape and technology trends to guide the evolution of the product portfolio
• Own all product vendor relationships, coordinate capacity and manage ongoing development priorities to an annual roadmap
• Lead the coordination with all product partners and establish processes and procedures to ensure clear and timely communication is delivered on development status and needs
• Lead product design and requirements gathering sessions in coordination with business and CDO partners
• Oversee the incorporation of program elements/strategy into the Product Roadmap and ensure follow through
• Align data strategies to associated tools and ensure automation is achieved were available
• Ensure clinical guidelines are kept up to date in the associated tools, as well as, implementation of new guidelines in a timely manner
• Formalize and keep all product documentation (requirements, release notes, etc.) up to date while ensuring they are delivered in a timely manner
• Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with applicable project stakeholders (e.g., project team members, team leads, internal customers, functional SMEs, business partners, leadership)
• Lead cross functional teams and drive the team to successfully complete the objectives of the program and cross-product strategy
• Ability to engage functional partners on both the Optum and market levels to effectively deliver on each application pilot project
• Engage with local provider organizations to support, augment and accelerate efforts to improve operational coordination of patient care through application development and optimization
• Research and proactively seek to fill in knowledge gaps in key functional areas
• Analyze application deployment outcomes and make appropriate recommendations to improve outcomes/processes moving forward (e.g., repeatable processes, feedback loops, cross-project improvement opportunities)
• Manage the creation and evolution of new/revised business processes/procedures and ensure changes are documented, updated, and approved, as needed

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 consulting level technology product development and portfolio management 
• 7+ years or more Heath Care industry experience
• 3+ years leading or performing utilization  management job functions such as referral and service prior auth intake, review, and/or automation strategies
• 2+ years of utilization review/utilization management experience in an HMO, MSO, IPA, or health plan environment
• Experience building and leading cross-functional teams & leading work through influence
• Proven ability to work in fast-paced environment with ambition, client focus and innovative ideas that will enhance and improve results in a new program and product culture
• Travel required around 15 – 25%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Informatics advanced degree or on the job experience
• Licensed nurse or previous licensed experience
• Managed Care experience
• Experience working with EMRs (electronic medical records), Utilization Management and Case Management solutions
• Experience working in a cross-matrixed organization
• Locations desired: Minneapolis, MN and Birmingham, AL 

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

The salary range for this role is $106,800 to $194,200 annually based on full-time employment. 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.

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.

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.