Senior Director Strategic Partnerships

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, Strategic Partnerships leads a team of Strategic Account Executives responsible for managing a portfolio of complex strategic client partnerships. This leader is accountable for driving client satisfaction, retention, growth, operational excellence, and employee engagement while developing high-performing talent and fostering strong cross-functional partnerships across Optum.

The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor to clients and internal business leaders, ensuring the successful execution of client strategies, identifying opportunities to expand value, and delivering innovative solutions that improve client outcomes. This role partners closely with Sales, Product, Clinical, Operations, Finance, Legal, and other enterprise stakeholders to ensure consistent execution, strengthen client relationships, and achieve business objectives.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Strategic Account Executives responsible for managing complex strategic client partnerships. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development while driving exceptional client and business outcomes
• Develop leadership capability within the team through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, performance management, and ongoing talent development
• Partner with senior client stakeholders to develop and execute strategic partnership plans that address current and emerging business needs, support long-term growth, and deliver measurable value
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with client leadership, serving as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex strategic initiatives
• Drive portfolio strategy by ensuring client plans align with contractual commitments, organizational priorities, and measurable business outcomes
• Lead the successful execution of client renewals, contract negotiations, market checks, and strategic growth opportunities while partnering with Sales, Contracting, Legal, and Finance
• Champion operational excellence by collaborating across functional teams to ensure seamless delivery, proactive issue resolution, and consistent execution against client expectations
• Influence and align cross-functional leaders to prioritize client needs, resolve complex issues, and deliver integrated solutions that enhance the client experience
• Monitor portfolio performance, financial results, client satisfaction, and key performance indicators to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement
• Serve as an ambassador for Optum by articulating the value of Optum solutions and strengthening executive relationships across client organizations
• Promote innovation and the adoption of technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve team effectiveness, operational efficiency, and client engagement
• Ensure contract compliance, including oversight of performance guarantees, service commitments, and contractual obligations
• Maintain accurate portfolio management, strategic account planning, opportunity tracking, and executive reporting through CRM tools, including Salesforce
• Foster a culture of inclusion, engagement, accountability, and collaboration that supports employee retention, career growth, and organizational success

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:

• 8+ years of experience in strategic client relationship management within the PBM, healthcare, health benefits, or related industry
• 5+ years of experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing client-facing teams
• Experience building trusted relationships with executive and C-suite client leaders while influencing strategic business decisions
• Experience leading complex client strategies, renewals, contract negotiations, and growth initiatives
• Experience managing employer or healthcare client contracts and ensuring successful execution of contractual commitments
• Experience with PBM financial components, including pricing strategies, financial performance, profitability, and performance guarantees
• Experience presenting complex business information to executive audiences with demonstrated influence and executive presence
• Experience working across highly matrixed organizations and leading cross-functional initiatives
• Driver's License and access to a reliable transportation
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading leaders and developing high-performing, geographically dispersed teams
• Experience managing large, complex strategic client portfolios
• Experience driving organizational change and leading enterprise initiatives
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled technologies, including Microsoft Copilot or similar tools, to improve productivity and client outcomes
• Experience with Salesforce CRM and data-driven portfolio management
• Demonstrated success developing talent through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and leadership development

• Demonstrated ability to improve client satisfaction, retention, and business growth

*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.