Director, Pharma Business Development - 3PL and Specialty Distribution

UnitedHealth Group•Columbus, OH

7d•$134,600 - $230,800•Hybrid

About The Position

Optum is seeking a Director, Pharma Business Development based in Etna, Ohio (Columbus market). This role offers a hybrid work arrangement and requires travel to client sites, industry conferences, and manufacturer meetings as needed. This role is a senior individual contributor specifically responsible for driving new manufacturer client acquisition and revenue growth through strategic business development activities for Optum's specialty distribution and third-party logistics (3PL) services. This role blends strategic sales leadership with operational expertise in both pharmaceutical and 3PL domains, requiring a mix of market insight, regulatory knowledge, and relationship building skills to drive growth in a highly regulated, high value industry. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of the Pharma 3PL landscape, along with demonstrated success in U.S. pharmaceutical commercialization, and strategic alliance management. Success will require solid commercial acumen, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to translate strategy into measurable revenue growth. This role will play a key role in building and scaling a business that sets a new standard for distribution. If you are located in Ohio, you will have the flexibility to work remotely as you take on some tough challenges.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical distribution, manufacturer services, specialty pharmacy, healthcare supply chain, or strategic business development
3+ years of experience supporting pharmaceutical commercialization, specialty distribution, 3PL services, manufacturer services, or related business development activities
Experience engaging and influencing senior executives and key decision makers within pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations
Solid understanding of pharmaceutical supply chain operations, manufacturer commercialization needs, and applicable US regulatory requirements
Demonstrated success sourcing, developing, and closing complex pharmaceutical manufacturer opportunities resulting in significant revenue growth
Proven excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
Demonstrated success building and managing large-scale pharmaceutical business development pipelines and delivering significant revenue growth

Nice To Haves

Experience selling services or solutions directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers
Experience supporting product launches, commercialization strategies, or channel design
Global distribution experience
Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word and other reporting tools
Proficiency with CRM platforms
Proven existing relationships within pharmaceutical, biotech, or specialty pharmaceutical organizations

Responsibilities

Develop and execute market development strategies aligned with Optum Specialty Distribution and 3PL growth objectives
Identify emerging pharmaceutical and biotech opportunities, prioritize target segments, and establish market engagement plans that expand manufacturer partnerships and revenue growth
Lead complex commercial negotiations, including pricing strategy, contractual terms, service scope development, and executive stakeholder alignment through contract execution
Leverage expertise in pharmaceutical storage, handling, and compliance to create tailored proposals highlighting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance
Build and maintain executive-level relationships with senior leaders across commercial, market access, trade, supply chain, operations, and business development functions within pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations
Work with operations, industry relations, and account management teams to refine offerings, ensure smooth onboarding, and ongoing management of client agreements
Develop account strategies for priority manufacturer opportunities to build and manage a robust multi-million-dollar sales pipeline
Maintain accurate forecasting to achieve and exceed annual revenue growth objectives
Own the commercial strategy and execution for complex opportunities, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across operations, legal, finance, and compliance to develop solutions, structure agreements, negotiate contracts, and deliver commercially viable outcomes