Director - Federal Government Affairs, Administration - Hybrid in Washington, DC

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that's dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. Our Federal Government Affairs team plays a critical role in advancing that mission-engaging with policymakers, shaping public policy, and advocating for solutions that improve health care for millions of people.

We are seeking a Director of Federal Government Affairs focused on the Administration to serve as a key representative of the company before federal executive branch policymakers and stakeholders, with particular emphasis on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and related federal agencies. This individual will help develop and execute advocacy strategies on the company's highest-priority federal health care issues while building trusted relationships across the Administration, federal agencies, and the broader health policy community.

This role is ideal for an experienced health care policy professional, skilled advocate, strategic thinker, and relationship builder who understands how federal agencies operate and is passionate about advancing meaningful policy solutions that help improve health care in America.

You'll be part of a high-impact Federal Government Affairs team working at the intersection of policy, regulation, and health care-helping advance solutions that improve lives at scale. In this role, you'll directly represent one of the nation's leading health care companies before executive branch policymakers and help shape the federal policy and regulatory conversations that influence the future of health care.

If you are located in Washington, DC, you will follow a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities: 

Represent the company before federal executive branch policymakers

• Practice the craft of advocacy by educating Administration officials, translating complex health care issues into compelling messages, and building understanding and support for the company's priorities
• Serve as a primary advocate for UnitedHealth Group with HHS, CMS, and other federal executive branch policymakers
• Build, strengthen, and maintain trusted relationships with key Administration officials, agency staff, and health policy stakeholders
• Represent the company's priorities with professionalism, credibility, and integrity in every engagement
  

Shape and advance Administration-focused advocacy strategies

• Develop and execute executive branch advocacy strategies that advance and protect the company's federal policy objectives
• Anticipate, monitor, and influence regulatory, sub-regulatory, and administrative developments that may impact the company
• Help drive comprehensive advocacy campaigns that leverage direct agency engagement, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, coalitions, research, and external partnerships
  

Drive health policy and regulatory engagement

• Develop timely and compelling content, including executive briefing materials, talking points, regulatory summaries, agency engagement materials, presentations, and leadership updates
• Distill complex health care policy and regulatory issues into clear recommendations and persuasive messaging for executive and policymaker audiences
• Stay current on evolving Administration priorities, agency actions, regulatory developments, health policy trends, and stakeholder perspectives to help inform advocacy strategy
  

Partner across the enterprise

• Collaborate closely with business leaders, policy experts, legal and regulatory colleagues, and External Affairs teammates to advance shared priorities
• Facilitate executive engagement with Administration officials, agency staff, and other federal health policy stakeholders
• Partner with external consultants, industry organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders to maximize advocacy effectiveness
• Coordinate with congressional-facing colleagues to ensure Administration engagement is aligned with broader federal advocacy strategies
  

Strengthen how we operate

• Leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve productivity, accelerate research, and enhance advocacy effectiveness
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability across our team

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:  

• 7+ years of experience in health care policy, the Executive Branch, federal agencies, government relations, public policy, advocacy, government affairs, or related fields
• Experience developing and executing successful regulatory, policy, or advocacy strategies
• Proven solid knowledge of HHS, CMS, federal health care programs, and federal regulatory or sub-regulatory processes
• Proven track record of representing an organization with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity
• Proven outstanding written and verbal communication, presentation, project management, and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex health care policy, regulatory, and stakeholder environments
• Reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and able to work in a hybrid environment

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience working at HHS, CMS, OMB, the White House, or another federal agency with responsibility for health care policy
• Health care industry experience
• Experience with Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, pharmacy, health insurance, value-based care, or health care delivery policy
• Experience building and managing relationships with Administration officials, agency staff, and senior health policy stakeholders
• Experience developing regulatory comments, agency engagement strategies, or policy analysis related to federal health care programs

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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.