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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Director serves as a senior liaison between OptumRx and health plan clients, leading cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional service and strategic solutions. This role focuses on client strategy, project execution, and maintaining strong relationships while ensuring contractual compliance and performance improvement.

Additionally, the Director acts as Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President, providing executive-level support through project management, tackling global issues, and ensuring effective communication across leadership and teams.

In this role, one must be comfortable operating and leading in an extremely fast-paced, complex environment and able to quickly understand/interpret how market events (i.e., federal regulations, state/local regulations, CMS requirements, drug-manufacturer events, etc.), issues, and internal strategies impact Health Plan client partners and create action plans to navigate through.  You must possess a high degree of confidence, PMB sophistication, resilience, and executive presence.  This role also requires a well-demonstrated business/financial acumen; salesmanship; innovation, attention to detail and the ability to successfully drive complex projects. The Director role leads initiatives to collect and respond to market insights through strategy, product, and go-to-market actions allowing the Health Plans segment and OptumRx to achieve a dynamic and competitive marketplace position.

Success in this role is measured through Client NPS, margin growth, successful project execution, strategic thinking/actions and the ability to collaborate with others in a highly complex/dynamic atmosphere.  

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead client strategy development and execution, aligning with business objectives
• Coordinate internal teams to deliver solutions and meet client expectations
• Manage multiple projects, resolve escalated issues, and ensure timely communication
• Serve as Chief of Staff to SVP: oversee strategic initiatives, manage global priorities, and facilitate executive communications
• Monitor contract performance, report guarantees, and drive service improvements
• Mentor account management staff and support recruitment and development
• Represent OptumRx at client events and maintain industry expertise
• Develop and execute strategic business plans to drive growth and identify new opportunities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key executives, decision-makers, and consultant firms
• Collaborate with senior leaders across Optum to create and implement strategies that achieve annual growth targets and ensure optimal delivery
• Maintain accountability for client contracts, ensuring compliance and execution of deliverables
• Oversee client renewals and market checks, partnering with internal teams (pricing, underwriting, legal) and external stakeholders
• Cultivate strong internal partnerships to identify strategic opportunities and promote continuous improvement
• Serve as escalation point for high-profile client issues, ensuring timely resolution
• Provide input to product development for new or enhanced offerings aligned with market needs
• Drive service excellence and client satisfaction strategies to achieve high NPS outcomes

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 in PBM, government programs, client management, and project leadership. 
• 5+ years of experience working within the PBM/managed care pharmacy industry and deep understanding of its evolving dynamics and core competencies 
• 3+ years of experience and understanding of PBM pricing and contracting models
• 3+ years of Account Management experience with high profile Health Plan clients and demonstrated progressively increasing responsibility for client relationship management and consultation
• Experience interpreting complex contracts; balance internal and external views; and make strategic determinations/decisions. 
• Extensive experience developing and delivering formal presentations to message and position information for maximum customer impact and influence 
• Experience effectively navigating and driving results in a highly complex, matrix environment 
• Solid Microsoft (word, excel, ppt, copilot) skills and ability to work effectively and meet timelines
• Ability to work autonomously and lead innovative / forward-thinking discussions
• Willing or ability to travel up to 20%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Solid project management experience including developing project plans, mapping project timelines, leading cross functional workstreams, driving projects through completion

*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 $110,200 to $188,800 annually 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.