Director, Healthcare Economics|Network Pricing & Analytics

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 Director, Health Care Economics (Network Pricing & Financial Analytics) is an enterprise leader responsible for building and directing high-performing analytics and pricing teams. This role integrates strategic planning, financial modeling innovation, and executive stakeholder management to ensure the organization maintains a sustainable, competitive, and data-driven approach to provider contracting.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Directs and is fully accountable for multiple professional teams and managers within Network Pricing
• Scope of impact extends to enterprise-wide financial performance, multi-market budget targets, and strategic contracting outcomes
• Recognized as an internal expert and thought leader in network pricing analytics and financial modeling
• Partners directly senior VP stakeholders across Finance, Actuarial, Network Management, and Government Programs
• Sets enterprise direction for the Network Pricing analytics function, defining multi-year roadmaps for modeling capabilities, tools, and team development
• Accountable for governance of all financial models used in provider contract valuation, budget target setting, and unit cost performance management
• Leads organizational change initiatives to modernize analytical tools, data infrastructure, and modeling methodologies
• Influences enterprise forecasting, annual planning cycles, and capital investment decisions related to provider network strategy
• Develops and enforces policies, standards, and delegation-of-authority frameworks governing pricing decisions across markets and regions
• Decisions directly impact multi-billion-dollar provider contract portfolios, enterprise unit cost budgets, and organizational risk exposure
• People Leadership
  • Recruit, develop, and retain top analytical talent across multiple teams and supervisory layers
  • Build a culture of analytical rigor, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement
  • Establish performance standards, career development pathways, and succession plans for the Network Pricing analytics function
  • Serve as an executive coach and mentor to managers and senior individual contributors
• Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Translate enterprise business strategy into a multi-year Network Pricing analytics capability roadmap
  • Lead annual planning cycles including resource allocation, technology investment prioritization, and operating model design
  • Partner with Corporate Finance and Actuarial Pricing to align unit cost forecasts with enterprise financial plans
• Cross-Enterprise Stakeholder Leadership
  • Build and sustain trusted executive relationships across Network Management, Finance, Actuarial, Government Programs, and external providers
  • Represent Network Pricing analytics in enterprise committees, market reviews, and regulatory discussions
  • Communicate complex financial modeling results and strategic pricing recommendations to Board-level and C-suite audiences
• Governance & Risk Management
  • Own policy and delegation-of-authority frameworks governing pricing approvals and contracting exceptions
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal contracting standards (e.g., red doors, contracting exception protocols)
  • Lead risk identification, escalation, and remediation related to reimbursement discrepancies and modeling accuracy

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:

• Graduate degree (MBA, MS Health Economics, MS Finance, or equivalent) strongly preferred; undergraduate degree with substantial equivalent experience required
• 10+ years of progressive experience in network pricing, actuarial analysis, healthcare finance, or related field, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role with direct management of professional staff
• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, statistical analysis, and healthcare economics

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP)
• Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Associate (ASA)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred for enterprise program leadership

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

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 $134,600 - $230,800 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

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