Associate Director - Legal Entity Licensing

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 Associate Director of Licensing is a people leader responsible for overseeing licensing strategy and execution across multiple jurisdictions and business lines. This role exercises independent judgment and ensures regulatory licensing requirements are appropriately assessed, obtained, and maintained. The Associate Director routinely interfaces with leadership, regulators and, when necessary, directly completes or oversees licensing filings.

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:

• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of licensing professionals
• Sets clear expectations, performance goals, and accountability standards while fostering a high‑performing, consultative team culture
• Serves as a subject matter expert for licensing requirements and providing guidance to licensing analysts
• Demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying state-specific licensing and regulatory requirements to support compliant business operations
• Independently analyzes and makes informed licensing decisions and recommendations that balance regulatory compliance, operational feasibility, and business strategy
• Participates in business discussions and provide concise, risk‑based licensing perspectives
• Escalates material licensing risks, gaps, or delays with clear options and recommended paths forward
• Supports acquisitions, expansions, and new product launches by assessing licensing implications and timelines and developing integration pathways
• Represents the organization in audits or licensing inquiries as needed
• Oversees and monitors team metrics to ensure accuracy and timeliness
• Ensures quality controls, documentation standards, and audit‑ready records are maintained
• Identifies process improvements and implement scalable approaches to manage high licensing volume
• Personally complete or directly oversee complex, high‑risk, or escalated licensing filings when required

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:

• 5+ years of experience in regulatory licensing within healthcare, insurance, financial services, with a strong emphasis on Third Party Administrator (TPA), Utilization Review (UR), and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) licensing.
• Solid experience interfacing directly with state and federal regulators
• Demonstrated experience as a people leader, including managing managers and/or senior professionals
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and make licensing determinations in ambiguous or evolving regulatory environments
• Proven ability to consult effectively with senior leaders and influence decision‑making without direct authority

Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal certificate, associate degree, or equivalent legal training 
• Experience supporting multi‑state operations and complex organizational structures
• Solid understanding of compliance risk management frameworks

*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 $112,700 to $193,200 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.