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Chief Growth Officer - Optum Life Sciences
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
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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 in the industry and 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 Chief Growth Officer (CGO), Optum Life Sciences is the senior executive accountable for defining and driving Optum's Life Sciences growth strategy across manufacturers, biopharma, med‑tech, and emerging ecosystem partners.
This role owns where and how Optum grows in Life Sciences - spanning market strategy, portfolio expansion, enterprise solutioning, and long‑term value creation. The CGO operates at an enterprise level, orchestrating capabilities across Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx, and enabling functions to unlock differentiated, scalable growth for Life Sciences clients.
The CGO is a strategic architect, integrator, and enterprise influencer, operating above day‑to‑day sales execution and focused on shaping Optum's future Life Sciences growth agenda.
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:
Enterprise Growth Strategy
- Define and own the Life Sciences growth strategy, including market prioritization, growth vectors, and multi‑year expansion plans
- Identify and size new growth opportunities, adjacencies, and business models aligned to Life Sciences market needs and Optum's enterprise capabilities
- Translate external market dynamics, regulatory shifts, and client needs into actionable growth priorities
Portfolio & Investment Strategy
- Shape the Life Sciences portfolio strategy, influencing solution roadmap decisions, investment allocation, and build / buy / partner choices
- Partner with Product, Strategy, and Business leaders to ensure offerings are designed for scale, differentiation, and enterprise leverage
- Drive coherence across offerings to deliver integrated, client‑centric Life Sciences solutions, rather than fragmented products
Enterprise Orchestration & Integration
- Serve as the single point of growth orchestration for Life Sciences across Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx, and Enterprise Growth teams
- Align cross‑functional stakeholders across clinical, analytics, technology, operations, and finance to deliver against Life Sciences growth priorities
- Influence outcomes across a highly matrixed environment through executive presence, clarity of strategy, and enterprise credibility
Go‑to‑Market & Commercial Enablement
- Establish enterprise go‑to‑market strategies for Life Sciences growth, including solution positioning, value articulation, and market entry approaches
- Partner with Sales, Client Executives, and Growth Enablement to ensure growth strategy is translated into disciplined execution
- Act as executive sponsor for priority Life Sciences clients, partnerships, and strategic pursuits
Partnerships & External Leadership
- Build and maintain senior‑level relationships with Life Sciences clients, partners, and ecosystem stakeholders
- Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and alliances that accelerate growth and extend Optum's Life Sciences footprint
- Represent Optum as a senior growth leader in the Life Sciences market, reinforcing Optum's role as a trusted, innovative partner
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:
- Bachelor's degree of equivalent experience required
- 10+ years' experience leading enterprise growth strategy in complex, matrixed organizations
- 5+ years of experience with deep understanding of the Life Sciences ecosystem, including payer, provider, data, analytics, and regulatory intersections
- Ability to operate above functional silos, integrating strategy, product, and commercial levers
- Executive presence to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority
- Track record of translating strategy into scalable, long‑term growth outcomes
- Ability and willingness to travel between 25-50%
Preferred Qualifications:
- 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.
Benefits
Our mission of helping people live healthier lives extends to our team members. Learn more about our range of benefits designed to help you live well.
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Resources and support to focus on what matters most to you, in every facet of your life.
Emotional
Education, tools and resources to help you reduce and manage stress, build resilience and more.
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Health plans and other coverage to support wellness for you and your loved ones.
Financial
Benefits for today and to help you plan for the future, including your retirement.
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