Network Contract Associate Director

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.

The Associate Director of Industry Relations is responsible for developing and managing relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers in the context of negotiating for rebate discounts in exchange for formulary access to all UHG enterprise-wide government books of business (OptumRx, UHC).  This position is part of a cross functional internal team (Finance / Accounting, Clinical, Legal, Contract Specialist, Client Management) managing formulary placement strategies for over 60 therapeutic classes to the lowest net cost for UHG clients.

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:

• The US healthcare market with respect to OptumRx pharmacy benefit design and operations
• Financial modeling analytics for rebate optimization and lowest net cost strategy assessment of pharmaceutical products
• Clinical knowledge of multiple therapeutic categories for manufacturer assignments (e.g. CV, Diabetes, Respiratory disease)
• Contract negotiation processes including the review process involving internal (Optum) legal and contract experts to lead those discussions with pharmaceutical manufacturers. This will include direct involvement in the coordination of the redlining process as well as communications and negotiations of contractual terms and conditions in tandem with internal stakeholders (Optum IR leadership, legal, clinical, contracting)
• An understanding and knowledge of established clinical guidelines determined by OptumRx P&T
• Executing formulary contract negotiations and all interactions with pharmaceutical manufacturers that are in compliance with UHG corporate policies, directives, business goals and objectives

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:

• Proven contracting negotiations, strategy development and contract redlining experience
• Proven ability to work well and collaboratively, with multiple teams or departments for business growth or profitability goals
• Proven previous experience in pharmaceutical or healthcare roles
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak clearly and concisely, conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information
• Demonstrated solid interpersonal skills, establishing rapport and working well with others

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MBA or PharmD)
• A degree in Pharmacy
• Proven experience in managed health care or pharmacy benefit management
• Proven experience in pharmaceutical industry context

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.