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 Senior Director of Health Plan Strategic Partnerships partners with our Health Plans clients on strategic initiatives to ensure future success.  The Senior Director leads a team of Strategic Account Executive, who partners with our health plan executive team to analyze how current pharmacy trends interest with our clients’ organizational goals and strategic growth initiatives. 

The Senior Director will have the accountability for building, maintaining, and expanding relationships with client leadership and key client stakeholders relative to Medicare Part-D Membership.

This role will own the overall Medicare Part-D strategy for maintaining client satisfaction, establishing client expectations (in accordance with client contracts, agreed upon enhancements), communicating these expectations with functional Optum teams, developing client delivery plans, and ensuring consistent Optum execution that meets or exceeds client expectations. 

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

Primary Responsibilities:

Partners with Client Executives and key business stakeholders to develop and execute a Medicare strategic client plan that addresses client’s business needs (current and emerging), supports growth, provides measurable value, and increases client engagement / loyalty Understands and effectively communicates CMS guidelines to internal and external customers Builds and maintains repeatable processes relative to CMS Adherence and Guidelines Establishes, cultivates, and manages, the customer relationship at multiple levels, (executive suite to solution owners) serving as a trusted business advisor / partner to the client Refines client strategy through continual discussions with client stakeholders, detailed understanding of client context, anticipation of client needs, and holds design sessions with relevant Optum leaders to define solutions and execution plans Acts as “ambassador” for Optum at client, advancing Optum’s interests with client stakeholders.   Represents and articulates value of Optum solutions to various levels within the client, including executives, decision makers and key influencers Supports clients in winning and implementing new Medicare Part-D business Ensures contract compliance, including negotiation and reporting of performance guarantees.  Negotiates contractual agreements, statements of work, serving as liaison with contracting / legal / finance Constantly assesses the value our solutions are delivering and leads team members to develop approaches that increase the value we provide and / or increases the impact Optum has on the client’s business Engages cross functional client teams on the delivery of services, escalating issues where necessary and driving resolution.  Holds functional teams accountable to deliver against client requirements and expectations Owns successful client renewal process, identifying expansion / enhancement opportunities, gauging client receptivity, facilitating contracting processes Key liaison between client and Optum business leaders Maintains accurate and current client plan in CRM System (SalesForce.com), including client planning, opportunity management, contact management, current solution footprint, etc. Ensures Client Satisfaction and client willingness to serve as a reference

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 experience in strategic client relationship management within a PBM, or Health Plan with direct oversight of a PBM 5+ years of experience working with senior level c - suite executives and demonstrating progressively increasing responsibility  2+ years of experience leading a team to deliver results 2+ years of experience with PBM Medicaid Medicare client contract management Profit & loss PBM client contract management experience  Experience messaging, positioning, and presenting information for maximum customer impact and influence (e.g. leading and coordinating Executive Review Committees, bi-annual summits, executive dashboards, Large Case Reviews, etc.) Experience initiating project plans and successfully managing projects to full execution Experience leading the RFP (Request for Proposals) process, finalist presentations and negotiating client contracts (specifically, Renewals and Market Checks) Experience working with complex health care solutions (e.g., outsourced health care solutions) Employee Engagement Experience, specifically, building high-performing teams, team engagement, and employee retention as documented by improved employee satisfaction scores Team development/training/mentor experience including operationalizing development plans and ongoing training to support the team, client, market, and business needs Ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred Qualifications:

5+ years of experience working with Medicare Part D lines of business  3+ years of leadership experience with direct reports 3+ years of experience interacting with senior - level c - suite executives and demonstrating progressively increasing responsibility for strategic client relationship management 3+ years of experience relative to influencing contract management and developing price strategies 3+ years of experience navigating and driving results across operations, network, and clinical domains in a highly complex, matrix environment Project management experience P&L management experience  Experience leading client management team through renewals, upsells, and contract negotiations Experience leading client management teams while managing client performance guarantees Experience with Medicare Part D PBM  Experience with RxClaim Experience with PBM client contracting  Experience with PBM rebates and values  Experience working with complex health care solutions (e.g., outsourced health care solutions) Demonstrated ability to message, position, and present information for maximum customer impact and influence Ability to travel up to 20%

*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 $132,200 to $226,600 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.