Associate Director of Communications-Optum Health Midwest/Mid - Atlantic Region

UnitedHealth Group•Eden Prairie, MN

2h•$112,700 - $193,200•Remote

About The Position

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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. The Associate Communication Director, Optum Health, will lead communication strategies and execution for the South region, including executive, change management and critical event communication, and media relations, leveraging strategies and tactics that elevate the businesses’ reputation and enhance performance and connections with employees and external audiences. The Associate Director will work with the South region communications lead and partner with leaders and other key stakeholders across the business to develop aligned messaging plans that engage employees on business goals, performance and culture and partner with other key stakeholders across the business and enterprise including Government Affairs, Marketing, Clinical, Operations, Patient Experience, People Team, Legal, Compliance and other enterprise partners to identify and leverage opportunities to drive business objectives. Essential qualities for success in this position include strategic expertise, leadership presence, collaborative disposition, uncompromising eye for quality, change agility, resourcefulness, creative problem-solving, multi-tasking skills, and flexibility. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communication, English, Journalism or a related field
8+ years corporate communication experience
Project management experience and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience communicating in multiple media (e.g., print, email, web, video/audio, graphics)
Experience working with local, top-tier and national news media outlets/reporters.
Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
Demonstrated success working with senior executive level clients and stakeholders, and building solid relationships across business groups and functions
Ability to work in a fast-paced, complex, often-changing environment

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field
Health care experience
Highly skilled at thoughtfully developing communication plans for a wide variety of initiatives including those in support of growth and change
Superb writing skills with the ability to translate strategy, complex topics and technical language into compelling communication for a variety of audiences

Responsibilities

Work closely with market presidents, senior leadership team and other key functions to develop and implement communication strategies and thought leadership opportunities, and report regularly on progress
Serve as a strategic partner, collaborate with internal stakeholders to proactively assess and address needs, and develop and implement strategic communication plans, vehicles, media and messaging
Coordinate market/region communication strategies and activities with national/enterprise communication activities to leverage content and ensure alignment
Develop and implement communication strategies that connect employees to our business vision, roadmaps and goals, reinforce our mission, values and culture and improve business performance
Develop and implement communication strategies and tactics that expand brand awareness, position our leaders and business as experts in health care and drive business results. Collaborate with the broader l communications team to identify, pursue and place earned news media and to respond to news media inquiries
Write and develop content tailored to the specific medium and audience requirements
Adapt style/tone to meet the needs of the specific message/leader/audience/channel
Project manage communication campaigns to ensure timely, successful completion and quality results
Analyze communication performance, report regularly on status and continuously improve strategy, channels, content and tactics
Proactively seek out and promote innovative and creative approaches to communication
Establish a cohort of media-trained spokespersons and coordinate earned news media placements
Support issues management activities, helping minimize any impact on reputation
Cultivate a high-performing communication function by building skills through coaching, mentoring and ongoing training and development. Develop and evaluate team members to ensure effectiveness and alignment with current and future goals and initiatives