Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Northwest – Optum Health

UnitedHealth Group•Seattle, WA

About The Position

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) supports the PNW (Pacific Northwest) market president in helping to provide leadership of Optum business and finance operations in the PNW market. This leader also works in partnership and collaboration with senior leaders – clinical, business and operations—across Optum Health and across markets, both within and outside the West region. The primary functions of the COO are to work in partnership with the senior PNW (OR/WA) leadership teams to plan, direct, monitor, control, evaluate and drive the profitability and business operations of Optum PNW. Key requirements are the ability to lead and work with/within teams to achieve Optum’s business, strategic and financial goals through team performance to deliver on the Quadruple Aim.

Requirements

10+ years of management experience in the healthcare industry
7+ years of progressive management experience or executive level experience
Solid healthcare financial and analytical experience and skills in the area of Population Health and Fee for service business operations
Knowledge of the purposes, organization and policies of the local community’s health systems sufficient to interact with executive leaders and health care providers
Possesses entrepreneurial drive with business development experience
Skillful in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, policy-making bodies, health plans, patients and the public
Ability to assume responsibility and exercise authority over all work functions
Ability to prepare comprehensive reports
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization
Ability to analyze and interpret complex data
Demonstrated skill in learning and fully utilizing information technology systems
Ability to judge appropriate information to be conveyed to different levels of management
Skill in leading and working with a diverse team; collaborating with colleagues, earning the trust of others
Skill in working effectively under deadlines, frequent interruptions and changing priorities

Responsibilities

Business Operational Leadership
Provide strategic operational leadership over all operations including Fee For Service and Value Based Care in the PNW driving business optimization aligned with the strategy to deliver excellent patient experience, employee engagement and ultimately clinical and financial performance
Ensure alignment with clinical excellence pillars and foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and quality
Provides oversight and local (dotted line) leadership of the business functions of all shared services—revenue cycle, supply chain/procurement, real estate, etc.-- for the PNW, West and Optum National functions
Collaborate and engage with both West regional and National enterprise shared services leaders and teams to ensure execution on priorities, delivery on service level agreements and value-creation for the business and the PNW market
With the accountable shared services leads, this leader shares accountability for the performance of Optum core shared services in PNW
Collaborates with Corporate Compliance to develop and maintain a culture and systems that ensure that Optum meets all legal, regulatory and ethical requirements
Participates in organizational risk management oversight. Responsible for the prevention and management of risk associated with the business operations and finances of the organization
Promotes the provision of cost-effective, high-quality, safe, equitable, timely and person-centered health care services for patients
Facilitates effective communications among stakeholders
Establishes and supports a process improvement foundation based in Lean principles across the organization
Strategic
Develops and executes in partnership with the Market CEO business development and strategic planning
Key leader in working with M&A and growth teams in evaluating M&A targets and investment thesis for growth opportunities in partnership with West regional leadership
Engages and works with key PNW stakeholder health systems, purchasers and employers, payers and partners/potential partners in partnership with West and National contracting structures. Serves as a key representative responsible for advising on strategic and business operational planning, new business opportunities and protecting and enhancing PNW’s financial performance
Works with West Regional Leadership Team to develop and implement strategies for cost efficiency, cost effectiveness and operational efficiency
Provides oversight to the analysis of the financial implications of the organization’s strategic plans, proposed capital expenditures and impact of new payment models, changing economic environment and/or regulatory changes
Works with team on transforming and then growing the PNW market, providing the support to analyze and assess identified business opportunities
Balances strategic needs of individual businesses within the Pacific Northwest market with the overall strategic direction set by the West Regional Leadership Team
Financial Performance
Drives the overall financial performance of the Pacific Northwest region to meet or exceed annual goals
Develops a deep understanding of the key business operational drivers and how these relate to the overall financials to drive performance
Oversees the production and review of monthly, quarterly and annual financial updates to the PNW and West Regional Leadership Team
Develops strong partnership with Optum Health Corporate Finance and Accounting to leverage best practices and coordinate with Corporate deadlines
Other
Fosters a positive and productive work environment. Drives high engagement among the operations team and staff
Represents Optum PNW market in national, regional and local community organizations
Attends necessary continuing education and training sessions to keep abreast of industry and healthcare trends
Develops future leadership within the organization to sustain the organization’s competitive advantage as a leading healthcare organization
Represents Optum at public and professional meetings and conferences as requested
Participates in clinic communication and public relations programs
Maintains professional affiliations and enhances professional development to keep pace with the trends in health care administration
Culture
Leads the organization with integrity, authenticity, transparency and accountability, modeling commitment to Optum’s Values
Fosters a safe, healthy, positive and productive work environment. Builds positive working relationships with all staff and physicians and promotes a culture of safety
Promotes workplace excellence and evidence-based care programs through ongoing training and development for staff and providers
Encourages innovation and continuous improvement to improve business results, customer satisfaction, productivity, profitability and sustainability