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 diverse team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Associate Director, Employee Relations (“ER”) Policy is a new role, responsible for management, maintenance, development and, where appropriate, communication of workplace policies and related content owned by Employee Relations in partnership with ER leadership. This role will also review workplace policies owned by others through an ER lens and contribute with recommendations, where appropriate, to ensure consistency and appropriateness of workplace policy in alignment with Enterprise and People Team priorities, including our enterprise Employer Value Proposition (“EVP”); caring, connecting and growing together.

This position will report to the Director, Employee Relations Business Process, and is part of a team of highly skilled professionals who are committed to delivering Quality ER support and guidance to all US integrated employees; responsibilities will primarily focus on broad organizational issues which will require consistent, practical, and relevant solutions at scale. The work will require balancing the business needs with the needs of the Centers of Expertise. This role will participate in People Team Digital Transformation project meetings and other COE collaboration meetings, share ER policy perspectives and insights, and gather information needed to create policies as the Enterprise and People Team continues to evolve. The Associate Director ER Policy will assist and work with ER leadership to identify emerging workplace policy trends and raise awareness about new or evolving policy needs to appropriate stakeholders. The role may also maintain an ownership matrix of workplace policies, participate in annual audit processes, and help ensure governance processes for workplace policies to support UnitedHealth Group Employee Relations effectiveness.

Key responsibilities will include socializing and partnering with various stakeholders within the People Team to ensure policies and related content align with the EVP, are appropriate and aligned with business goals, support a positive employee experience, and are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. This role is accountable for partnering and ensuring close coordination with Employee Relations Compliance, ER Case Management, ER Investigation Team, Disability & Leave Services, and Employment Law. In addition, the role may require collaboration with Employee Experience, Labor Relations, and the other Centers of Expertise (e.g., Total Rewards, Talent, DEI) to ensure policies align with People Team and Enterprise priorities.

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

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Project manage implementation or evolution of ER owned policies and provide ER perspective on other workplace policies
• Assist in development and implementation of an enterprise governance process for policy development and maintenance to ensure ongoing policy review, modernization, and innovation to support the business and ongoing employee experience improvement efforts
• Consult with cross-functional people teams on compliance and operational programs and initiatives related to ER/workplace policy
• Partner with ER Compliance where evolving/new compliance requirements require new or revised policy approaches. Partner to identify business impact, level of risk and level of operational effort/cost to mitigate risk and maintain compliance and appropriately position the enterprise from operational, financial and employee experience perspectives
• Update Employee Relations policies to ensure alignment with internal processes and identify/project manage process improvements across multiple functional areas to ensure employee data and overall systems integrity
• Collaborate with efforts on integration of M&A into Employee Relations existing policies and partner on any identified solutions required to bridge to enterprise policy
• Evaluate existing policy language against current laws, rules or regulations that affect Employee Relations/People Team and partner on approaches to inform stakeholders of potential impact to the business
• Partner on development and rollout of communications and training as necessary in the implementation of new employee processes, policies, and compliance initiatives
• Consult with Legal, Employee Relations leadership, ER Compliance, People Team leadership, and other relevant stakeholders regarding new and existing policies and initiatives
• Study the landscape for emerging trends and make proposals for enhancements to current policy language and approaches when opportunities are identified
• May also be required to provide supplemental support to other areas of the team (e.g., Business Process or Case Management) as appropriate
• May also assist with Disability and Leave Services policy work as needed

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 employee relations or human resources or policy experience in a large, complex/matrixed multi-state organization
• Experience with policy writing, development, and socialization
• Experience working on acquisitions and integrations
• Experience working on compliance matters that are unique to government contractors
• Experience managing large scale projects
• Expert knowledge of state and federal employment laws
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment
• Demonstrated decision-making ability and sound judgment
• Proven advanced consultation and influencing skills
• Proven solid analytical skills (problem assessment, solution generation)

Preferred Qualifications:

• PHR, SPHR, or SHRM certification
• Project management experience or certificate
• Healthcare experience
• Experience with Oracle Cloud and/or ServiceNow

Knowledge and Skills:

• Solid knowledge of and interest in current federal, state, and local employment and compliance laws and regulations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to influence
• Solid organizational and project leadership skills
• Ability to develop solid relationships
• Ability to manage expectations
• Ability to plan and reason at a conceptual and operational level cross-functionally in a matrix environment
• Be able to quickly intake and understand information and analyze how it applies to our employee population (e.g., the who, what, when, where, and why)
• Ability to understand business and strategies to recommend changes and efficiencies
• Solid computer skills including windows-based programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook are required

*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, or Washington 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.