Associate General Counsel

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 General Counsel will support the Commercial Payments business on a broad range of payments products and services, including card programs, digital payments, and embedded finance offerings. This role partners with product, compliance, risk, and sales teams to structure, launch, and scale payment solutions while managing regulatory and contractual risk.

This position requires deep experience in payments law, card network rules, and financial services regulation, along with strong commercial drafting and advisory skills.

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:

• Advise on legal and regulatory requirements applicable to payment products (credit, debit, prepaid, virtual cards, wallets, and account-based payments)
• Interpret and apply key frameworks, including:
  • Reg E, Reg Z, UDAP/UDAAP, BSA/AML
  • Card network rules
  • Money transmission rules
• Provide real-time guidance to product and business teams on feature design, disclosures, and risk mitigation
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including:
  • Issuer/processor agreements
  • Program manager/fintech partner agreements
  • Merchant/acquirer agreements
  • BIN sponsorship arrangements
• Structure revenue models (interchange sharing, fees, incentives) with legal and regulatory considerations in mind
• Identify legal and regulatory risks associated with new and existing payment programs
• Partner with compliance and risk teams to implement appropriate controls
• Support audits, regulatory inquiries, and internal governance processes
• Advise on go-to-market strategies and product expansion initiatives
• Support partnerships, vendor arrangements, and strategic transactions
• Provide business-oriented, practical legal solutions aligned with company risk tolerance
• The successful candidate will possess solid verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment and business instincts. The ability to lead people and change is also critical. The ability to delegate work and operate in a matrixed environment will be important qualities for the successful candidate. Prior law firm and in-house experience are desired.

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:

• Juris Doctorate degree and active license to practice law
• 5+ years of relevant experience at a law firm, financial institution, or fintech company
• Demonstrated experience with payments, card programs, or financial services regulation
• Knowledge of the key legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the payments space, such as Reg E, Reg Z, UDAP/UDAAP, BSA/AML, card network and money transmission rules
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex agreements, providing strategic legal guidance to support business objectives and mitigate risk
• Proven ability to build and maintain rapport with colleagues and external company contacts
• Proven ability to independently make decisions regarding complex legal and corporate issues

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Deep familiarity with:
  • Card network rules and operating regulations
  • Issuer/processor/program manager ecosystem
  • Embedded finance and fintech partnerships
• Experience advising on:
  • Reg E/Reg Z applicability and product structuring
  • BaaS (Banking-as-a-Service) or sponsor bank models
  • Commercial negotiations in high-growth or technology environments

*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 to $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.