Director, Strategic Initiatives- Employer Market -Telecommute

Great sales are the result of strong purpose, conviction and pride - pride in your ability and your product. UnitedHealth Group offers a portfolio of products that are greatly improving the life of others. Bring along your passion and do your life's best work.(sm)

The Employer Strategic Initiatives Director serves as the strategy and program management lead for the Optum Relationship Office Employer market. The position is responsible to design and lead sales programs, innovative approaches and issue resolution on behalf of the Employer market to achieve profitable growth and drive mutual value for Optum and our clients.

The Employer Strategic Initiatives Director will serve as the subject matter expert in program and project management, leading scope definition, risk identification, methodology and resource allocation to support Employer market growth, client retention and satisfaction. They will lead strategic initiatives crossing business, product and operating groups to support business development programs, coordinate and complete projects, define performance, measure results and manage vendors and service providers. They will assess and determine funding requirements, prioritization, time frames, procedures for accomplishing projects, staffing requirements, allotment of resources to various phases of programs/projects and lead others in the organization to make meaningful process improvements. They will develop business plans and conduct cost benefit analyses for review by regional/senior Employer Market leadership.

Success in this role is dependent upon effective partnership and collaboration with the business units (such as Consumer Solutions Group, Specialty Networks, Financial Services, Collaborative Care, OptumRx, OptumInsight, etc.), functional areas (marketing, finance, operations, legal, human capital, sales support, etc.), and UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. This is a highly task and planning oriented position responsible for managing business development projects on behalf of the Optum Employer Market. Desired characteristics include attention to detail, strong problem solving skills and ability to assess and develop action plans for non-standard issues and requests.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design and oversee execution of Employer's strategic growth initiatives while engaging with teams from multiple business units to achieve growth objectives


• Identify, engage and collaborate with senior executives to ensure success of identified initiatives on behalf of the Employer market, forging partnerships and trust with senior leaders


• Develop and manage field communication strategy and execution of communication lifecycle to engage with internal Employer market team and external prospective and current clients on key Employer initiatives, processes, solution knowledge and updates, etc.; coordinates with marketing, internal/external communications, business/product owners and other applicable matrix partners


• Review and interpret monthly pipeline and financial results to align growth tactics, solving for Employer Market segment needs to provide sales leadership with credible pipeline data


• Measure and align team and sub-team's performance to goal, year-over-year goals and return on investments; specifically ensuring utilization of retention, persistency, win/loss performance data, etc


• Assess and synthesize data to design and manage campaigns, report on initiatives and create executive summaries of performance


• Analyze growth trends and data to influence product development and delivery to address client needs across all business lines (e.g., CSG, OptumRX, Collaborative Care, Financial Services, Behavioral Health) (e.g., PHS fit tool, product penetration info)


• Identify and solve for other issues, gaps, data analytic requirements, etc. to define and articulate need and solution (e.g., cross-carrier market segmentation, number of clients, products, health plans, SFDC capabilities)


• Manage execution of key initiatives across the Employer Market such as new training curriculum, campaigns, product launches, EMLT meeting objectives, EMLT leadership meetings with businesses, etc


• Further development and implement quantitative and qualitative account planning, growth strategy development and goal distribution across Employer Market


• Work in tandem with Business lines, Sales and Distribution, Marketing or other subject matter experts in areas including project scope definition, risk identification, project methodology, resource allocation, facilitation, and other areas of expertise based on established project management techniques


• Create and deliver presentations to management on project updates, project cycle, and expected results, ensuring projects are completed on time and in scope

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field


• 10+ years' progressive strategic planning, business development, sales, sales support, account management or related experience


• 5+ years of project management experience


• Experience in tracking, planning projects, working with large data sets and making data-driven analytical decisions


• Must possess solid knowledge of health care services and business/financial approaches


• Proven success in dealing with channels/consultants and sophisticated employer customers


• Proven ability to create and implement strategic planning and direction


• Ability to navigate matrixed and complex environments


• Experience presenting to senior level leadership


• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills, proven ability to influence and negotiate complex situations


• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills


• Excellent planning and organizational skills


• Excellent leadership skills as demonstrated by ability to deliver against the leadership expectations while modeling the cultural values of the organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or equivalent


• 8+ years health services experience

Careers with Optum. Here's the idea. We built an entire organization around one giant objective; make the health system work better for everyone. So when it comes to how we use the world's large accumulation of health-related information, or guide health and lifestyle choices or manage pharmacy benefits for millions, our first goal is to leap beyond the status quo and uncover new ways to serve. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, brings together some of the greatest minds and most advanced ideas on where health care has to go in order to reach its fullest potential. For you, that means working on high performance teams against sophisticated challenges that matter. Optum, incredible ideas in one incredible company and a singular opportunity to do your life's best work.(sm)

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: 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.

Job Keywords: Director, Marketing, Business Development, Telecommute, Richmond, VA, Virginia