Senior Director of Medicaid Policy - Minnesota or Washington, D.C. preferred

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.

As Senior Director of Medicaid Policy, this role serves as the enterprise leader responsible for translating complex and evolving Medicaid policy into actionable strategy that advances member outcomes, strengthens external partnerships, and supports sustainable growth. 

This role is central to advancing key enterprise priorities, including:

• Implementation of federal requirements (e.g. community engagement requirements, cost share)
• Eligibility and enrollment modernization (including 834 standardization)
• Strengthening partnership with FQHCs and community providers
• Enhancing consistency in Medicaid program design and delivery across states
• The role operates at the intersection of strategy, external influence, and enterprise enablement, ensuring the organization is proactively shaping Medicaid policy in partnership with states, providers, and national stakeholders

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: 
Enterprise Policy Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Define and lead a coordinated Medicaid policy strategy aligned to enterprise priorities, including eligibility reform, use of artificial intelligence in Medicaid program, Medicaid rate setting processes, Medicaid managed care program design 
• Translate federal and state policy developments into clear strategic direction for health plans and executive leadership
• Ensure consistency in policy interpretation and application across markets
• Ensure strong collaboration with key matrix partners in National Regulatory Affairs, Government Affairs, Compliance and Legal teams.

External Influence & Partnership 

• Lead enterprise engagement with national trade associations, policy coalitions, and external stakeholders to shape Medicaid policy direction
• Convene and guide external advisory groups and FQHC/provider partnerships to inform policy positioning and program innovation
• Represent the organization with Medicaid Directors, other regulators, policymakers, outside policy experts and select advocacy organizations

Position Development

• Proactively develop advocacy positions grounded in business and data insights that address emerging trends and policy developments at the federal and state level  
• Advance strategies that support health outcomes, whole-person care models and sustainability within Medicaid programs 
• Partner with stakeholders, including FQHCs and community organizations, to promote approaches that improve access, trust, and outcomes for underserved populations

Thought Leadership & Enterprise Enablement

• Lead development of policy insights, trend analysis, and thought leadership content for internal and external audiences 
• Establish communication channels that ensure leaders are informed of emerging policy risks and opportunities
• Translate complex issues into clear, actionable messaging for executives and markets

Team Leadership & Execution Model

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of policy SMEs
• Establish scalable processes, prioritization, and accountability mechanisms
• Build a measurement approach that demonstrates policy influence and enterprise impact

General Job Profile

• Company thought leader who drives organizational strategy nationally
• Leads team of professional SMEs with in-depth policy experience
• Functional SME and resource to senior leadership and external partners
• Develops pioneering approaches to emerging industry trends that advance the way Medicaid serves beneficiaries and addresses evolving program opportunities

Job Scope and Guidelines

• Develops, translates and executes strategies or functional/operational objectives for a Community & State Executives, health plans and functional partners
• Directs others to resolve highly complex or unusual business problems that affect major functions or disciplines across regions
• Predicts emerging customer (state, health plan and functional partner) needs and develops innovative solutions and standardized advocacy tools proactively
• Develops and manages business plans to achieve objectives that support fundamental performance, sustainable Medicaid growth, DSNP integration and program modernization
• Leads large, complex projects related to policy, advocacy and influence to achieve key business objectives
• Translates highly complex concepts in ways that can be understood by a variety of audiences
• Influences senior leadership to adopt new ideas, products, and/or approaches
• Directs cross-functional and/or cross-segment teams

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: 

• Demonstrated expertise in shaping, developing, and analyzing complex public policy, particularly within Medicaid and adjacent programs with an ability to translate evolving federal and state policy into clear strategic direction and business implications (financial, operational, reputational) 
• Deep experience leading or contributing to public policy and advocacy efforts, including engagement with legislators, regulators, trade associations, and national coalitions with a proven ability to build credibility and influence with external stakeholders
• Exceptional ability to synthesize complex policy issues into clear, concise, and compelling messaging tailored to executive, external, and technical audiences
• Ability to lead through influence across highly matrixed environments and proven ability to establish processes, prioritize competing demands, and deliver measurable impact through teams
• Propensity for both macro-level system thinking necessary for uncovering impacts, trends and strategies paired with a clear, organized action-oriented approach to accomplishing work within a team and matrixed environment

*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 hourly pay for this role will range from $76.59 to $131.35 per hour 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.