Director - Federal Government Affairs

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 to serve as a key representative of the company before federal policymakers and stakeholders. This individual will help develop and execute advocacy strategies on the company's highest-priority federal issues while building trusted relationships across Congress and the broader policy community in Washington, D.C.

This role is ideal for an enthusiastic lobbyist, strategic thinker, skilled advocate, and relationship builder who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about advancing meaningful policy solutions that help improve health care in America.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Represent the company before federal policymakers
  • Practice the craft of advocacy by educating policymakers, translating complex issues into compelling messages, and building understanding and support for the company's priorities
  • Serve as a primary advocate for UnitedHealth Group with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and other federal policymakers
  • Build, strengthen, and maintain trusted relationships with key Members of Congress, congressional staff, and policy stakeholders
  • Represent the company's priorities with professionalism, credibility, and integrity in every engagement
• Shape and advance advocacy strategies
  • Develop and execute lobbying strategies that advance and protect the company's federal policy objectives
  • Anticipate, monitor, and influence legislative and regulatory developments that may impact the company
  • Help drive comprehensive advocacy campaigns that leverage direct lobbying, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, coalitions, research, and external partnerships
  • Stay current on evolving political dynamics, policy developments, and stakeholder perspectives to help inform advocacy strategy
• Partner across the enterprise
  • Collaborate closely with business leaders and colleagues across External Affairs to develop and execute multi-faceted advocacy campaigns
  • Facilitate executive engagement with federal policymakers and staff
  • Partner with external consultants, industry organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders to maximize advocacy effectiveness
  • Work closely with the PAC team to support effective political engagement 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 Congress, the Executive Branch, government relations, public policy, advocacy, government affairs, political campaigns, or related fields
• Advanced knowledge of federal legislative and 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 political acumen and ability to navigate complex policy and stakeholder environments
• Based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and able to work in a hybrid environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing and executing successful lobbying strategies
• Capitol Hill experience
• Political campaign experience
• Health care policy or health care industry experience
• Experience building and managing relationships with federal policymakers and senior government officials
• Experience using government affairs CRM platforms, such as Quorum

Why Join Us

You'll be part of a high-impact Federal Government Affairs team working at the intersection of policy, politics, 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 policymakers and help shape the conversations that influence the future of health care.

At UnitedHealth Group, we are committed to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone. Joining us means being part of a team that is mission-driven, collaborative, and focused on making a meaningful difference.

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 - $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.