[Hiring] Vice President, Strategic Partnerships @UnitedHealth Group

Role Description

The dedicated Vice President, Strategic Partnerships is accountable for the overall success and contract execution for a high-profile Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plan partner. The role is responsible for developing deep trusted relationships with C-suite executives and pharmacy/business leaders that drive strategic collaboration and promote long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships. You will also hold accountability for leading and developing a high-caliber, well-engaged client management team. Success is measured by client/market growth and retention, strategic leadership, financial performance, contract execution, employee engagement, and the overall satisfaction of assigned clients.

As Vice President, you must be comfortable operating and leading in an extremely fast-paced, complex environment and able to quickly understand/interpret how market events (i.e., federal regulations, state/local regulations, CMS requirements, drug manufacturer events, etc.) impact Health Plan clients and to advise proactively and react accordingly. You must possess a high degree of confidence, PMB sophistication, leadership strength, and executive presence. This role also requires a well-demonstrated business/financial acumen; salesmanship; innovation and the ability to successfully drive complex projects.

The role leads initiatives to collect and respond to market insights through strategy, product, and go-to-market actions allowing the Health Plans segment and OptumRx to achieve a dynamic and competitive marketplace position.

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

Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute multi-year, account specific strategies that drive growth, retention, margin expansion, and long-term partnership value.
• Build and sustain C-suite and senior executive relationships with health plans and key consultant firms; serve as a trusted strategic advisor.
• Lead executive governance, including operating committees, QBRs, and escalation management.
• Maintain end to end accountability for contract performance, interpretation, and execution, ensuring compliance with commercial, regulatory, and financial terms.
• Own P&L performance for assigned accounts, including operating budgets, revenue growth, upsell targets, and cost to serve management.
• Lead renewals, amendments, and market checks in partnership with Pricing, Underwriting, Legal, and Finance.
• Proactively identify and mitigate financial, contractual, regulatory, and reputational risk.
• Partner with senior leaders across Optum Rx and Optum enterprise to deliver integrated client specific strategic plans.
• Serve as executive sponsor for complex initiatives.
• Ensure alignment between sales commitments, operational readiness, and delivery outcomes.
• Set and enforce a metrics driven client management and service model, holding teams accountable for performance and outcomes.
• Drive high client satisfaction and retention, including NPS performance.
• Serve as senior escalation point for high profile or mission critical client issues.
• Provide strategic input to product teams based on market intelligence, client needs, and consultant insights.
• Partner with Sales on RFPs, finalist presentations, and growth pursuits, articulating a clear and differentiated value proposition.
• Represent Optum Rx externally as a credible, visible market leader.
• Lead, develop, and retain a high performing account management organization, including succession and bench planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of healthcare industry experience, including progressive leadership roles and a proven track record of success.
• 5+ years of Government Program (Medicare, Medicaid) experience, with solid expertise in regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Deep knowledge of the PBM/managed care pharmacy industry, including evolving market dynamics, pricing, and contracting models.
• Extensive account management experience with large, complex health plan clients, with demonstrated growth in responsibility, strategic partnership and contract management (interpretation, execution and negotiation).
• Proven ability to engage and influence C-suite stakeholders, leading innovative, forward-thinking discussions.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams to achieve business outcomes.
• Proven deep financial acumen, including experience interpreting financial statements, identifying trends, driving strategic recommendations and managing client profitability.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacist or PharmD.
• Experience partnering with sales and cross-functional teams to support RFP responses and finalist presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively and drive results within highly matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations, utilizing solid communication, influence, and listening skills.
• Proven solid program management experience, with the ability to lead complex initiatives end-to-end.

Benefits

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

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.