Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer

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 Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer  is charged with driving Optum Insight and Optum Financial’s growth agenda, through the cultivation and delivery of external partnerships, M&A, and organic innovation, driving innovative market solutions.  Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Optum Insight and Optum Financial and working hand-in-hand with the senior leadership team, the role will translate the business’s mission into actionable strategies, cultivate high-impact collaborations, and foster a culture of forward-thinking innovation that positions the organization for sustainable growth and industry leadership.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Develop, articulate, and continuously refine a comprehensive business strategy that aligns with the organization’s long-term vision and market position in fintech and tech-enabled health
• Monitor emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and regulatory changes to identify strategic opportunities and risks
• Advise the CEO and executive team on strategic matters, ensuring alignment and clarity across departments and initiatives
• Lead inorganic growth initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic investments 
• Lead and support Optum Financial platform modernizations efforts to build a cross functional interconnected FinTech platform between Optum Financial and Optum Insights 
• Evaluate potential targets and partners, conduct due diligence, and oversee deal negotiations and integration activities
• Lead development of partnership and value creation thesis, ensuring arrangements align with Optum Insight and Optum Financial’ s strategic objectives through deep relationships with internal and external partner executives (eg C-Suite and decision makers), creating market-deafferenting solutions with products and services across the enterprise
• Negotiate complex partnership agreements, ensuring mutual value creation and strategic fit
• Drive a business -wide innovation agenda, championing emerging technologies, business models, and product concepts that propel fintech and health solutions forward

 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:

• 20+ years of progressive experience in strategic business development, corporate development, corporate strategy, partnerships, or senior level consulting experience with 10+ years of experience in driving transactions (including M&A or non M&A transactions), preferably within fintech, healthcare technology, or a high-growth technology environment
• Deep experience collaborating and navigating large organizations and cross-functional teams on multi-year engagements
• Experience scaling high-growth P&Ls inside large, matrixed organizations
• Expertise in digital health, health data interoperability, regulatory frameworks, and patient and provider-centric innovation
• Deep knowledge of fintech markets, regulatory environments, business models, and technology trends
• A deep understanding of financial and business models, market trends, and consumer behaviors, enabling the creation of industry-leading solutions
• Understanding of Fintech and healthcare landscape to include financial acumen, product, operations, technology operation and data
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale strategic initiatives, M&A transactions, and complex partnership ecosystems
• Demonstrated exceptional analytical, communication, and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated track record of productive relationships with C-Suite and senior level client executives
• Proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all organizational levels and across external partners

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g. MBA, MHA)
• Experience driving non-M&A transactions (e.g., JVs, affiliations, MSA agreements, etc)
• Advanced communication and negotiating ability in the context of complex fortune 100 organizations
• Advanced aptitude for conflict resolution and problem solving

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 $350,000 to $550,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

 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.