Associate Director Program 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.

What makes your career greater with Optum Frontier Therapies? You’ll work with expert and enthusiastic peers, be part of a culture focused on both clinical outcomes and business results, and contribute to a growing team that prides itself on learning, evolving and challenging the status quo. 

The Associate Director Program Management at Optum Frontier Therapies leads the team of Program Managers who are responsible for unique rare disease therapy programs, focused on supporting people with rare diseases and emerging therapies at the frontier of healthcare.  Key stakeholders that this leader must consider as partners are the patients we serve, doctors and their office staff who prescribe these therapies, biopharma manufacturers who develop these therapies, and our internal stakeholders such as operations, industry relations, product and technology.

This is a role that must be able to think both “wide” and “deep”, and balance internal team management with external customer orientation. This role will provide guidance, leadership, and supervision to the program managers and are responsible for ensuring that the goals and objectives of the programs are met in a manner that aligns both internal business expectations and external client commitments. Under direct supervision from the VP Rare Franchise, the Associate Director Program Management supports the overall development and management of the program managers. This role partners closely with leaders and stakeholders across the business to ensure that holistically client portfolios are operating effectively, to raise recommendations for program improvements, communicate trends on the program, and advance the business partnership with a client. This position relies heavily on the ability to actively understand and proactively recommend solutions, partner in research, coach on appropriate communication to resolve program-related needs, escalations, and concerns according to established standards and timeframes. 

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintains expert knowledge of program requirements, guidelines, processes, FAQs, business rules, technologies, and therapeutic areas for portfolios across the business
• Keeps current with industry and treatment trends, treatment standards, and updated indications 
  for portfolios across the business
• Provides oversight with cross functional partners to ensure the timely and complete launch of new programs or updated processes
• Maintains oversight of operational health metrics and analytics for portfolios across the business, to able to support identifying trends so that may support conversations with program managers to guide mitigation and resolution plans with appropriate stakeholders
• Ensure team of program managers are prepared for  regularly scheduled program-related meetings, internally and externally, across all levels of leadership
• Knowledge of business technology platforms
• Enforces standard operating procedures regarding the integrity of technology and telecommunications systems to ensure that the services performed meet or exceed client expectations
• Assists senior management with the fiscal stewardship of portfolios across the business
• Support the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes of future program manager roles across assigned programs and the business
• Support program managers on the development of program-specific business rules, process workflows, policies, procedures, work instructions, etc. 
• Navigate a highly matrixed organization using strong relationship building skills and clear written and verbal communications
• Maintains stringent company, employee, and client confidentiality as well as compliance with all HIPAA regulations
• Occasional travel to client and management meetings or trainings, 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:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience
• Pharmacy, medical, healthcare service operations, or similar role as a leader of people for 3+ years
• 1+ years of program management or direct relationship with pharmaceutical manufacturers experience
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional programs and client relationships
• Proven solid problem solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills with an ability to work consultatively with partners 
• Solid proficiency in Microsoft products, such as Excel and PowerPoint, and an ability to easily learn and adopt new technology tools 
• Proven ability to set priorities and manage a team to meet key objectives of the business

Preferred Qualifications:

• Specialty Pharmacy experience
• Pharmacy Accreditation experience
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a team in a supervisory/managerial capacity
• Proven history of working in a highly matrixed, call center or operations type environment

Optum Frontier Therapies has the vision that all people, no matter how unique, can access a better tomorrow.

Focused on reimagining specialty pharmacy for patients with rare disease and advanced therapeutics, we work a little harder. We aim a little higher. We expect more from ourselves and each other.

Now we’re looking to reinforce our team with people who are decisive, brilliant – and built for speed.

Come to Optum Frontier Therapies, part of UnitedHealth Group, and share your passion for doing more. We have roles that will fit your skills and knowledge. We have diverse opportunities that will fit your dreams.

*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.