Director Payer Business Development - Remote

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.

The Director of Payer Business Development will be responsible for generating new business relationships that support our full-risk model in the Optum Health (OH) Midwest Region (comprised of 12 states).  The Director will have a strategic mindset and work with the OH Midwest senior team to develop and identify health plan targets based on fit with our overall region’s growth goals and strategic direction.  The relationship targets will primarily be with those individuals at health plans who have responsibility for developing full risk provider arrangements or other key payor executives who could influence or sponsor working with OH. 

The Director of Payer Business Development will independently lead and manage the early phase of developing health plan relationships, including the initial reach out, generating interest through early discussions and managing the dialogue on the preliminary risk arrangement.  This role will be responsible for tight coordination with Optum Finance as well as the Optum Health Payer Contracting to ensure a seamless transition to push along the contracting process. 

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

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Develop criteria with internal key stakeholders for health plans to target that will support the regional growth goals 
• Develop target list of health plans with key internal stakeholders based on above established criteria
• Create/refine existing Health plan pitch deck that highlights our capabilities and value proposition 
• Initiate dialogue, deliver early pitch and build relationships with key stakeholders at health plans. Work closely with VP of contracting to advance discussions
• Build pipeline of opportunities and manage through our CRM instance
• Routinely update internal key stakeholders 
• Work closely with VP of Contracting to advance discussions, develop approach for individual discussions and implement negotiating tactics
• Coordinate closely with regional Senior management to ensure internal alignment as discussions progress
• Coordinate closely with Optum national teams to identify targets and ensure internal alignment as discussions progress
• Work closely with payer contracting team to transition relationship to begin the contracting process and transfer knowledge of discussions to date

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 working in payer/provider contracting with experience.  
• Experience managing payer contracts from conception, negotiation, execution and implementation 
• Experience developing and executing highly impactful market level strategies 
• Experience influencing senior internal and external leaders 
• Sales skills and experience 
• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel experience   
• Exceptional analytical and presentation experience 
• Broad base of healthcare knowledge (payer and provider) and the ability to digest and adapt to relevant market dynamics and trends 
• Proven direct and indirect leadership within highly matrixed environments 
• Ability to travel up to 25% 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience in Medicare and Full risk payer/provider arrangements 
• Demonstrated success / experience working in a highly matrixed organization
• Demonstrated success working in dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interface with teammates, clinicians, and management

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

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, 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.

Salary : $104,700 - $190,400