SVP, Strategy and Business Development - Optum Insight Payer

Optum Insight is improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, and ultimately consumers. Our deep expertise inthe industryand innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management, quality and revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

The SVP, Strategy & Business Development, Optum Insight Payer, serves as the enterprise-wide strategic architect and inorganic growth leader for the Optum Insight Payer business. This executive owns enterprise strategy, portfolio shaping, and growth execution, including acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, and AI-enabled capability expansion. The role is accountable for translating Optum Insight and UnitedHealth Group (UHG) priorities into actionable strategies, evaluating high-stakes investment opportunities, leading complex diligence and negotiations, and ensuring disciplined value creation post-close. Operating as a key member of the Payer leadership team, this leader functions as a trusted advisor to Optum Insight and UHG executives, navigating a highly matrixed corporate structure while balancing speed, rigor, and risk. The role requires exceptional financial acumen, executive presence, and the ability to influence outcomes across business units, corporate functions, and external stakeholders.

The role may be located in our Minneapolis, MN, Nashville, TN, or Washington D.C. office. Alternative locations may be considered for internal candidates.

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

Hybrid in MN/DC: This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

Enterprise Strategy & Long-Range Planning

• Own the enterprise growth strategy for Optum Insight Payer, aligned to UHG and Optum Insight strategic priorities, financial commitments, and market dynamics

• Lead multi-year strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, and capital allocation decisions, including organic, inorganic, and AI-enabled growth pathways

• Translate strategy into clear, decision-ready roadmaps that guide product, technology, commercial, and operating investments

• Continuously assess competitive landscape, payer market trends, regulatory shifts, and emerging technologies (including AI) to proactively shape strategic choices

AI-Enabled Growth & Innovation

• Partner with product, technology, and data leaders to embed AI into Optum Insight Payer products and services as a core growth lever

• Identify build, buy, or partner opportunities that accelerate AI capability development across analytics, automation, clinical insight, and payer operations

• Ensure AI strategy is financially sound, scalable, compliant, and aligned with UHG enterprise risk, governance, and ethics frameworks

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Partnerships

• Define and execute inorganic growth strategy, including acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships

• Build and maintain a thesis-driven M&A pipeline aligned to strategic priorities and financial return thresholds

• Lead high-stakes diligence and valuation, owning the investment case including revenue synergies, cost synergies, integration costs, and value creation plans

• Serve as the primary executive lead in complex negotiations with CEOs, boards, private equity sponsors, and strategic partners

• Navigate UHG governance, investment committees, and approval processes with credibility and precision

Financial Leadership & Value Creation

• Bring deep financial acumen to all strategic and investment decisions, including P&L impact, cash flow, valuation, risk assessment, and long-term ROI

• Own executive-level financial models and scenario analyses that inform capital deployment and growth tradeoffs

• Establish disciplined post-close governance, KPIs, and value tracking to ensure execution against deal thesis and synergy commitments

Executive Engagement & Enterprise Influence

• Act as a senior advisor to the Optum Insight Payer CEO and leadership team on strategy, growth, and enterprise positioning

• Prepare and deliver clear, compelling materials for SLT, ELT, Optum, and UHG leadership forums

• Influence outcomes across a highly matrixed organization, partnering with Growth, Product, Technology, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and People teams

• Represent Optum Insight Payer externally with industry leaders, investors, and strategic partners

Leadership, Governance & Culture

• Operate with executive-level judgment, integrity, and enterprise mindset, balancing ambition with disciplined risk management

• Model UHG values and contribute to a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration

• Build strong relationships across UHG corporate functions to enable speed, trust, and effective execution

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you cleardirectionon what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in. 

Required Qualifications:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise strategy, business development, corporate development, or management consulting within healthcare, payer services, technology-enabled services, or adjacent markets

• Demonstrated success leading complex, high-value M&A and strategic transactions, including diligence, valuation, negotiation, and integration oversight

• Exceptional financial acumen, including advanced modeling, valuation, capital allocation, and business case development

• Proven ability to operate effectively within a large, matrixed enterprise and navigate executive governance structures

• Significant experience engaging C-suite, SLT/ELT, boards, and investment committees

• Deep understanding of payer market dynamics, healthcare economics, and regulatory considerations

• Track record of strategic leadership in ambiguous, high-stakes environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience integrating AI, data, and advanced analytics into large-scale healthcare products or services

• Established external network across healthcare executives, private equity, investors, and strategic partners

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree

*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 $225,000 to $375,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.