Associate Director, Brand Media - 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 Associate Director, Brand Media within the Enterprise Brand Management team is responsible for leading and guiding media strategy development, execution, stewardship, optimization, and measurement for UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum brands. This role plays a critical leadership position in advancing paid media excellence and expanding internal media capabilities ensuring enterprise investments align to brand strategy, audience needs, and measurable impact.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Media Planning, Strategy & Execution
  • Analyze enterprise business objectives, target audiences, and insights to create comprehensive, brand-aligned media strategies; adapt strategies as conditions evolve
  • Lead integrated media strategy and planning processes, including briefing, execution planning, and ongoing implementation
  • Present media strategies, execution plans, and performance outcomes to senior and executive stakeholders. Own and develop audience\ strategies based on funnel stage, audience type, demographic needs, product line, or enterprise initiative
  • Oversee day-to-day media execution for brand campaigns, providing clear directions to media partners on trafficking, creative schematics, and optimization opportunities
• Media Strategy Leadership, Stewardship & Capability Building
  • Expand internal media capabilities by identifying opportunities to upskill teams, refine processes, and evolve enterprise media practices over time
  • Stay on top of media, platform, and consumer behavior trends; proactively translate insights into clear recommendations and opportunities aligned to enterprise brand strategy
  • Function as a thought leader and internal center of excellence for media across traditional, digital, social, and emerging channels across the enterprise
  • Represent the brands in cross-functional and enterprise forums, advising stakeholders on media strategy, investment decisions, and evolving opportunities
  • Evaluate emerging platforms, formats, partnerships, and technologies to assess enterprise applicability and business value
  • Build and socialize best practices across the organization, including governance models, influencer strategy, test-and-learn frameworks, and measurement approaches
• Measurement, Optimization & Reporting
  • Lead the development of holistic, integrated reporting that connects paid media performance with brand health, content performance, and social engagement metrics to ensure it is viewed through a unified, brand-centered lens
  • Track, analyze, and interpret brand campaign performance; provide insights and recommendations to inform optimization and future investment decisions. Use inputs including Marketing Mix Modeling, cross-media performance, platform analytics, and competitive intelligence
  • Lead compilation, creation, and distribution of integrated campaign reporting to deliver clear, actionable insights to leadership
• Financial Management & Governance
  • Document and manage enterprise media investments across UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and UnitedHealth Group, providing visibility into current and historical spend trends
  • Plan and steward media budgets, including agency negotiations, reconciliation, and financial tracking to ensure cost efficiency and ROI discipline
  • Partner with agencies on monthly reconciliations, billing accuracy, and budget stewardship

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:

• 5+ years of experience in a consumer marketing or advertising role
• 5+ years of media planning experience, preferably at a media agency
• 5+ years of experience with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe
• 3+ years of experience building or advancing internal marketing or media capabilities
• 2+ years of demonstrated campaign management experience, with the ability to develop and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns

Preferred Qualifications:

• Health care or regulated industry experience
• Proven solid strategic thinking, problem-solving, and executive communication skills
• Proven confidence presenting to senior and executive-level stakeholders
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and adapt quickly to change
• Proven growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning and innovation

*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 $112,700    to $193,200 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.