[Hiring] Vice President, Payer Relationships @UnitedHealth Group

Role Description

The Vice President of Payer Relationships provides executive leadership for Optum Pharmacy's national payer engagement, contracting, and market access strategy across all PCS business segments, including Specialty Pharmacy, Infusion Pharmacy, Home Delivery, and future growth platforms. This leader oversees a team of Senior Directors responsible for regional and national payer relationships and is accountable for developing and executing enterprise payer contracting strategies that drive profitable growth, enhance patient access, strengthen strategic payer partnerships, and advance Optum's long-term business objectives.

The Vice President serves as the executive relationship owner for key national payer organizations and industry stakeholders, leading complex negotiations, innovative value-based arrangements, and strategic initiatives that differentiate Optum in the marketplace. This role collaborates closely with executive leaders across contracting, operations, clinical services, finance, product, government affairs, growth, and strategy to achieve enterprise objectives.

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

Qualifications

• 10+ years of healthcare payer contracting, market access, managed care, or healthcare strategy experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing senior leaders and large-scale payer organizations.
• Extensive experience negotiating complex pharmacy and medical benefit agreements.
• Deep understanding of Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and Government reimbursement models.
• Proven track record of delivering significant revenue growth, covered lives expansion, and value creation.
• Demonstrated success leading large, matrixed organizations and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional influencing, negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead in highly complex and rapidly evolving healthcare environments.

Requirements

• Specialty pharmacy, infusion pharmacy, or PBM leadership experience.
• Experience developing and implementing value-based care and risk-sharing models.
• MBA, MHA, PharmD, or other advanced healthcare or business degree.
• Experience managing national payer portfolios representing significant enterprise revenue.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Incentive and recognition programs.
• Equity stock purchase.
• 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

Success Measures

• Covered lives growth and market expansion.
• Revenue and profitability performance.
• Payer contract execution and renewal rates.
• Value-based care adoption and outcomes.
• Strategic partnership development.
• Team engagement and leadership effectiveness.
• Enterprise collaboration and influence.
• Achievement of long-term organizational growth objectives.