Associate Director, Network Contracting

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.

OptumRx is looking for a curious and self-motivated individual to identify and develop strategies that leverage the full breadth of Optum assets to solve healthcare's biggest challenges in the area of pharmacy services.  This role will be responsible for understanding the needs of industry partners and developing business solutions using the data and capabilities of Optum.  We are looking for people that can collaborate with business partners, anticipate future industry needs, and have solid financial acumen. This is a unique opportunity to work in the US Healthcare market from Ireland.

Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin or Letterkenny office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Proven ability to establish and maintain solid business relationships with external stakeholders/vendors
• Experience working with external collaborators such as clients, pharmacies, trade associations, professional or medical organizations to develop mutually beneficial outcomes to support health equity product launches, commercialization, and annual re-contracting objectives
• Experience of the redlining process as well as communications and negotiation of contractual terms and conditions in tandem with internal stakeholders (Optum Rx leadership, finance, underwriting, legal, clinical, contracting)
• Demonstrate understanding of complex contract language to assess financial, non-financial and operational impact and in partnership with legal team evaluate and present the legal implications of contract changes
• Evaluates and negotiates contracts in compliance with all key stakeholders needs and processes. Bringing them on the journey
• Manage regular reports and updates for the leadership team reflecting business performance and priorities Presentation of trends / trend analysis / understanding how trends impact providers and providers ability to generate value
• Monitor and/or oversee provider financial performance to identify opportunities to improve performance and/or provider relationship
• Act as a strategic thought leader to solve unique and complex problems with broad impact on the business
• Demonstrated ability to model financial outcomes and alternative scenarios which inform decision making and financial results 
• Demonstrate ability to develop and present a comprehensive view of the competitor landscape within the market (e.g., rates; market share; products; provider networks; market intelligence; GeoAccess)
• Present and discuss industry and market trends with internal and/or external groups (e.g.,; professional associations; pharmacies) in order to facilitate market strategy development and implementation
• Have a curious mindset, be adept at seeking information from relevant sources (e.g., publications; government agencies; providers; provider trade associations) to understand and communicate market intelligence information
• Extensive engagement with both internal and external senior leadership to resolve highly complex or unusual business problems that affect major functions or disciplines
• Drives programs that impact financial results through negotiation

You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Financial, legal or Analytical qualification OR equivalent experience
• Proven extensive experience with large scale contract negotiations, strategy development and contract redlining experience
• Proven experience in an enterprise level contracting role with the ability to work collaboratively, with multiple teams or departments for business growth or profitability goals
• Proven experience interacting with executive leadership and proven stakeholder management experience

Soft Skills 

• Proven ability conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information 
• Proven ability to think innovatively and resourcefully about contracting strategies
• Proven ability to work proactively to identify challenges and problems. Takes initiative to identify solutions
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Proven self-starter and teammate with solid interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, complex work environment
• Proven problem solving skills
• Demonstrated sense of ownership and sense of urgency
• Proven continuous learning and skills development

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.  

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: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.

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