Associate Director - Accounts

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.  

We are seeking a visionary and results-driven Associate Director - Accounts Payable to lead and transform our global financial operations. This role combines strategic ownership of the Accounts Payable function with a broader mandate to optimize and elevate processes across the enterprise. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of financial expertise, leadership acumen, and transformation mindset to drive operational excellence, compliance, and value creation.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Ownership & Governance
  • Lead the global Accounts Payable function with full accountability for performance, compliance, and service delivery
  • Define and execute the global strategy, aligning with enterprise goals and regulatory requirements
  • Establish and enforce global policies, controls, and governance frameworks to ensure consistency and compliance across regions
  • Serve as the escalation point for AP related issues, ensuring timely resolution and stakeholder satisfaction
• Process Optimization & Transformation
  • Drive standardization, automation, and harmonization of AP processes across geographies
  • Lead digital transformation initiatives including RPA, AI, and analytics to enhance process efficiency and insights
  • Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities, improve cycle times, and eliminate inefficiencies
• Performance Management & Analytics
  • Leverage performance analytics and KPIs to monitor process health, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement
  • Conduct regular business reviews with internal stakeholders and external service providers
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Partner with Finance, Procurement, IT, and Business Units to ensure seamless integration of AP processes
  • Build and manage relationships with external vendors and shared service providers to ensure service excellence
• Risk Management & Compliance
  • Ensure SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness across all AP activities
  • Proactively manage financial, operational, and reputational risks through a robust control environment
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead and inspire a cross-functional global team, including up to 10 direct reports at the Associate Director level
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning
  • Drive change management and adoption of new processes and technologies across the organization
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or related field (required)
• CA, CPA, or master's degree in finance (preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Accounts Payable, or Financial Operations, with at least 5+ years in a leadership role
• Experience in healthcare, pharmaceutical or life sciences industry
• Proven track record in process transformation, project management, and global team leadership

Skills & Competencies

• Solid leadership and strategic thinking capabilities
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence a matrixed organization and drive cross-functional collaboration

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.

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