VP, Strategy & Product Operations

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 Strategy & Product Operations Lead is a dual‑purpose role: (1) Strategy & Product (S&P) Operations leader and (2) senior leader enablement partner. The role partners closely with the SVP, Strategy & Product to define, document, and continuously improve what the organization does (prioritization), why it does it (value prop), how success is measured, and how performance is tracked and managed ongoing.

This position extends leadership capacity by bringing structure, clarity, and operating discipline to a complex, highly matrixed environment. The role does not own a product portfolio; instead, it enables product leaders and functional partners by strengthening governance, operating rhythms, measurement, and follow‑through.

Context: Strategy & Product Organization

Strategy & Product defines Optum Rx's strategic direction, shapes long range and annual business plans, and develops and manages a portfolio of market facing products enabling our PBM, Pharma, Pharmacies and emerging business models. Work spans planning (LRP/ABP), product governance and processes, portfolio and performance management, and cross‑functional alignment-requiring solid coordination with Finance, Growth, Clinical, Operations, Technology, Legal, and Enterprise teams.

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

For all hires within 30 minutes of an office in Minnesota or Washington, D.C., you'll be required to work a minimum of four days per week in-office.

Primary Responsibilities:

S&P Operating Model Definition & Evolution

• Own the ongoing definition and documentation of S&P's operating model: core workstreams, decision rights, interfaces with partners, and "ways of working" across Strategy, Product, and enabling functions
• Identify gaps, overlaps, and friction points; propose and implement improvements that simplify execution and increase clarity in a matrixed environment

Measurement, Performance Management & Success Metrics

• Establish and maintain a practical measurement system for S&P work (e.g., scorecards, KPIs, success measures), including how results are reviewed, escalated, and acted on 
• Partner with Finance and leaders to track progress against major commitments and to make performance visible through clear reporting and routines. Additionally, Partner with Finance to run the capital intake, review, and decision support process (e.g., intake/triage, business case readiness, prioritization framing, and routing to the right forums)

Governance, Prioritization & Decision Support (Enablement)

• Support and strengthen governance forums and decision processes that sit across products/capabilities, including prioritization, investment evaluation, and product portfolio performance discussions (forum design, inputs, decision framing, follow‑through)
• Act as an escalation and enablement point for work prioritization that cannot be solved within a single team, ensuring decisions are documented, communicated, and executed

Operating Rhythms & Leadership Forums

• Design and run leadership operating rhythms for the Strategy & Product LT (staff meetings, priority reviews, planning touchpoints), ensuring forums are decision‑oriented and outcome‑focused
• Drive action tracking, decision logs, and follow‑through to ensure momentum and accountability across distributed owners

Cross‑Functional Integration & Coordination

• Serve as a central integrator across Strategy, Product, and enabling partners (Finance, Growth, Clinical, Operations, Technology, Legal, People) to align dependencies, timing, and deliverables for high‑visibility initiatives
• Proactively identify execution risks and misalignments; bring structured options and recommendations to leadership for resolution

Process, Tools, and Standards Enablement (Product Ops‑adjacent)

• Enable standardized processes and tools that elevate execution and decision‑making across teams (templates, operating artifacts, governance inputs), in alignment with enterprise product discipline expectations
• Support clarity and consistency of product information, taxonomy, and systems‑of‑record expectations where applicable, partnering with the appropriate owners to improve reliability and usability of product data for planning and governance

Executive Communications & Synthesis

• Synthesize complex information into concise, executive‑ready materials (updates, decision memos, narratives) that frame trade‑offs and recommended paths forward

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:

• 10+ years of experience in operations, strategy, product enablement/product operations, consulting, program management, or related roles
• Solid financial acumen; ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes and decision-ready tradeoffs (including comfort with business cases and investment framing)
• Demonstrated ability to define operating models, build operating rhythms, and drive cross‑functional execution in complex, matrixed environments
• Solid written and verbal communication skills; experience preparing executive‑level materials
• Proven ability to manage ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and drive follow‑through through influence
• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.)
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in healthcare, PBM, pharmacy, or pharma
• Familiarity with product governance, portfolio performance management, and strategic planning cycles (e.g. LRP/ABP)
• Background partnering closely with senior leaders or leadership teams
• MBA or 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 $200,400 to $343,500 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.