Senior Director of Health Plan Strategy and Business Development - Remote

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 Senior Director of Health Plan Strategy and Business Development partners with our Health Plans clients on strategic initiatives to ensure future success.  This role is accountable for driving strategic business development, overseeing proposal execution, and shaping product innovation that delivers measurable value to clients and patients. Through cross-functional leadership, client engagement, and data-driven decision-making, the Senior Director ensures scalable, market-aligned solutions that advance enterprise goals and strengthen the organization's competitive position.

Additionally, the Senior Director partners with our health plan executive team to analyze how current pharmacy trends interest with our clients' organizational goals and strategic growth initiatives. This role will have opportunity to identify growth in membership and value across the healthcare ecosystem.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support development of the strategic plan, long range plan and annual business plans within the Health Plan team.  Identify key themes and critical initiatives.  Track progress against plans, identify and deviations and suggest plans to remediate
• Partners with Client Executives and key business stakeholders to develop and execute a strategic client plan that addresses client's business needs (current and emerging), supports growth, provides measurable value, and increases client engagement / loyalty
• Establishes, cultivates, and manages, the customer relationship at multiple levels, (executive suite to solution owners) serving as a trusted business advisor / partner to the client
• Build solid cross‑functional partnerships across HR, Communications, and business leaders
• Prepares and/or contributes to the preparation of reports, briefings, and presentations, including Quarterly Earnings Reports, CEO Updates, and Investor Conference materials
• Refines client strategy through continual discussions with client stakeholders, detailed understanding of client context, anticipation of client needs, and holds design sessions with relevant Optum leaders to define solutions and execution plans
• Acts as "ambassador" for Optum at client, advancing Optum's interests with client stakeholders.   Represents and articulates value of Optum solutions to various levels within the client, including executives, decision makers and key influencers
• Negotiates contractual agreements, statements of work, serving as liaison with contracting / legal / finance
• Constantly assesses the value our solutions are delivering and leads team members to develop approaches that increase the value we provide and / or increases the impact Optum has on the client's business
• Engages cross functional client teams on the delivery of services, escalating issues where necessary and driving resolution.  Holds functional teams accountable to deliver against client requirements and expectations
• Owns identifying expansion / enhancement opportunities, gauging client receptivity, facilitating contracting processes that delivers value to all parties
• Key liaison between client and Optum business leaders
• Maintains accurate and current client plan in CRM System (SalesForce.com), including client planning, opportunity management, contact management, current solution footprint, etc.
• Ensures Client Satisfaction and client willingness to serve as a reference

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:

• Bachelor degree
• 5+ years of project management and/or analytical experience
• 5+ years of experience working with senior level c - suite executives and demonstrating progressively increasing responsibility
• 2+ years of experience with PBM Medicaid Medicare client contract management
• Experience messaging, positioning, and presenting information for maximum customer impact and influence (e.g. leading and coordinating Executive Review Committees, bi-annual summits, executive dashboards, Large Case Reviews, etc.)
• Experience initiating project plans and successfully manage projects to full execution
• Experience leading the RFP (Request for Proposals) process, finalist presentations and negotiating client contracts (specifically, Renewals and Market Checks)
• Experience working with complex health care solutions (e.g., outsourced health care solutions)
• Profit & loss PBM client contract management experience
• Solid understanding of operations, reporting and forecasting
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA
• 5+ years of healthcare industry experience
• 3+ years of experience in strategic client relationship management within a PBM, or Health Plan with direct oversight of a PBM
• Project management experience
• Experience with PBM Medicare Part D and Medicaid
• Experience with PBM rebates and values
• Experience leading organizational programs of high complexity
• Background in strategic planning, governance, or portfolio management

*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 - $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.