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.

As a Senior Manager, Network Contracting you work with the Director of Network Contracting in managing the wholesaler relationship for all of Optum's pharmacies. You will identify, build and implement solutions to improve pharmacy profitability. This role requires solid cross functional collaboration spanning multiple pharmacies businesses across many functional areas. This role requires an advanced proficiency using MS Excel for analyses, the ability to convey complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, and someone who is adaptable, able to work independently, and be comfortable dealing with ambiguity. The role will build highly complex data sets and work with data experts to enhance data capabilities. The right person will be able to interpret industry actions or changes back to the business to drive meaningful improvements to ensure Optum continues to lead the industry.  

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 office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Building and fostering relationships with wholesalers, internal stakeholders and business partners
• Lead large, complex projects to achieve key business objectives
• Realization and implementation of cost reduction strategies
• Drug Shortage prevention and mitigation
• Pricing Accuracy and optimization
• Development of long term strategies and novel sourcing models
• Translate highly complex concepts in ways that can be understood by a variety of audiences
• Manage and negotiate contracts with Optum's wholesaler partners, ensuring appropriate internal stakeholders are consulted 

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
• Proven experience in project management or client management
• Demonstrated solid data analytics skills, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with big data solutions
• Proven ability to expand data set interpretation to evaluate large scale impacts across Optum and our industry counterparts
• Demonstrated intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) 
• Proven ability to work independently and operate effectively in ambiguous environments
• Proven ability to create and deliver presentations conveying complex or technical information in a clear and understandable manner
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a cross functional, matrixed environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven solid experience working at a pharmaceutical wholesaler
• Proven experience in a pharmacy operations setting
• Demonstrated solid data analytics skills
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely, conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, and to interpret complex information with a solid attention to detail

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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