Associate Director of Strategic Planning

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

On a regional level, this role is responsible for supporting executive leadership efforts in aligning operational, strategic, and business development opportunities with the company’s mission and goals.  This will include researching, analyzing industry data and competitive trends, synthesizing presentations and driving results in strategic areas. Identifies and prioritizes operational improvement opportunities and collaborates with leadership stakeholders to create plans for implementation.  Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of company’s internal operations to develop forward-looking initiatives for the business.  

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

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Develops strategy for advancing market-wide initiatives. Helps define and recommend priorities to leadership. Makes long range planning recommendations
• Leads market-wide project planning efforts and oversees project execution to ensure adherence to strategic objectives and priorities
• Maintains visibility of strategic initiatives throughout the market to ensure comprehensive and effective implementation
• Develops and oversees measures/indicators related to outcomes of strategic initiatives
• Participates in/monitors market wide committees and task forces
• Leads cross-functional teams to effectively and efficiently meet business needs; Initiates meetings, defines goals, action steps and timelines
• Monitors project and program deliverables and assesses impact to strategic initiatives; reports on progress to leadership
• Leads communications, change management, and issue management efforts as assigned
• Develops and maintains strategic planning tools and documentation
• Directs and/or coordinates resources across multiple departments in strategic planning efforts
• Researches, solicits, retains, schedules, and coordinates contractors and other external resources as needed. Participates in the selection of contractors to support strategic planning efforts
• Collects and analyzes a variety of complex data and information. Performs statistical analysis and summarizes findings in applicable reports or other communication mediums
• Monitors assessment, training, and related processes for projects and initiatives in the implementation stage and reports to leadership as required
• Responds to requests for information and provides subject-matter-expert guidance to other departments and/or outside agencies
• Identifies potential project risks and difficulties and informs management of issues. Works to design strategies to mitigate or avoid risks
• Partners with the regional leadership in coordinating workflow aimed at strategic planning and aligning regional goals
• Responsible for helping senior leaders create materials essential for communicating with key stakeholders
• Develops, monitors and manages budgets as appropriate
• Performs other duties as required

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: 

• 5+ years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to strategic planning, project or program management at the management level
• 5+ years healthcare experience
• Experience directing and leading special projects including utilization of project management software and tools
• Experience in assessing opportunities, defining cause & effect implications, and identifying improvement strategies
• Experience using business process mapping and analysis, data modeling, database concepts, and workflow
• Experience communicating effectively and persuasively; Skilled at speaking in public and managing change and sensitive topics
• Proven solid analytical and financial skills; experience in working with budgeting and contract(s)
• Proven ability to translate broad strategic themes and goals into workable projects; Ability to synthesize information from a diversity of sources to develop strategic recommendations; Able to identify and develop improvement opportunities on cross-functional and business level issues

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy 

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington, D.C. Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $104,700 to $190,400 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.  

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.   

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.