Associate Director, Clinical Vendor Gov, Strategy and Operations - Remote

At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and optimized. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Associate Director of Clinical Vendor Provider Governance Strategy and Operations plays a critical role on the Government Program Clinical Strategy and Execution team. This role serves as a strong operator responsible for driving execution, managing complex initiatives end to end, and ensuring results are delivered with rigor, speed, and accountability.

This individual will own and run key components of the clinical vendor governance and management function -balancing structured program execution with the ability to navigate ambiguity, build new processes, and improve existing strategies. The role requires a hands on leader who excels at turning strategy into action, managing interdependencies across functions, and delivering measurable outcomes in a highly matrixed environment.

This position ensures effective evaluation, implementation, optimization, and oversight of clinical vendor and provider partnerships that support regulatory requirements, improve clinical outcomes, and deliver tangible value to the organization. The Associate Director is also expected to identify operational gaps, design scalable solutions, and continuously strengthen vendor governance and performance management capabilities.

Please note this position is not managing individual external vendor or provider relationships and implementations.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Operate and Execute Clinical Vendor Governance
  • Own and run the end to end clinical vendor/provider intake, evaluation, and executive governance process
  • Drive structured, repeatable governance processes while continuously improving workflows, decision frameworks, and execution rigor
  • Prepare and deliver clear, actionable materials for executive leadership, ensuring decisions are well informed and aligned to operational realities
• Lead Evaluation and Business Case Development
  • Oversee the evaluation of new clinical vendor solutions, translating strategic needs into executable assessments
  • Lead development of business cases, financial analyses, and implementation plans to support clear go forward decisions
  • Balance strategic intent with practical execution considerations, risks, and operational feasibility
• Drive Measurable Performance and Accountability
  • Establish clear goals, KPIs, and performance measurement strategies for clinical vendors
  • Actively monitor performance, identify issues early, and drive corrective action in partnership with internal and external stakeholders
  • Ensure vendor performance is tied to outcomes, value realization, and operational effectiveness
• Execute Vendor Strategy and Portfolio Optimization
  • Partner in developing and executing vendor expansion, optimization, and reduction strategies
  • Navigate regulatory, operational, and organizational complexity to ensure decisions are implemented effectively and sustainably
  • Identify white space opportunities to improve how vendor decisions are operationalized and governed
• Lead Complex, Cross-Functional Initiatives
  • Serve as a hands on project leader, managing multiple initiatives simultaneously from concept through execution
  • Drive projects to completion-on time and within scope-by proactively managing dependencies, risks, and stakeholders
  • Operate comfortably without perfect information, bringing structure, clarity, and momentum to ambiguous situations
• Build and Improve Process and Operating Models
  • Identify gaps, inefficiencies, or inconsistencies in current vendor management processes
  • Design, pilot, and scale improved processes, tools, and operating rhythms
  • Create clear documentation and standards to support long term sustainability and enterprise alignment
• Stakeholder and Relationship Management
  • Build strong, trust based relationships across clinical, operational, legal, finance, and product teams
  • Influence without authority in a highly matrixed environment to drive alignment and execution
  • Effectively manage external vendor relationships with a focus on performance, accountability, and partnership

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:

• 3+ years of healthcare experience
• 3+ years of experience in project, program, vendor, or provider management with demonstrated ownership of execution
• 3+ years of experience managing multiple, complex initiatives simultaneously
• 2+ years of experience managing relationships with external partners and/or internal constituents  
• Proven experience translating strategy into execution and delivering measurable outcomes
• Experience building or improving processes in environments with ambiguity or limited structured
• Solid analytical and financial acumen, with experience using data to inform decisions
• Highly organized, execution oriented operator with solid project management discipline
• Demonstrated success influencing cross functional partners without direct authority and managing relationships
  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience in strategy development and/or management consulting, with demonstrated ability to translate strategic insights into actionable plans
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a "builder" - creating structure where it does not exist
• Solid understanding of Medicare and/or Medicaid populations and programs
• Solid knowledge of health plan operations
• Comfortable navigating changing priorities while maintaining forward momentum
• Track record of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and accountability

*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.