Senior Director Optum Financial Communications - Hybrid in MN or DC

UnitedHealth Group•Washington, DC

10d•Hybrid

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 Senior Director, Optum Financial Communications is responsible for communications strategy and execution, with accountability for both internal and external communications. This individual serves as lead strategic communications counsel their respective businesses with Optum communications colleagues, External Affairs, Marketing, Product, Operations, People team, Legal, Compliance and other enterprise partners to advance business objectives. This role is designed to support the evolution of the Optum Financial organizations and the business’ growth objectives through impactful communications strategies and messaging. This role will ultimately provide direct management of Optum Financial communicators and reports to the Head of Communications, Optum Insight. This individual will also contribute strategic and executional support in support of broader business challenges and opportunities as directed by the Head of Communications. If you are located in MN or DC, you will have the flexibility to work remotely as well as work in the office as you take on some tough challenges. This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week. You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Requirements

Extensive writing and editing experience with an uncompromising eye for quality and clarity. Ability to flex and write/edit effectively for different audiences, applying appropriate tone, detail and message elevation for each unique situation
Demonstrated experience developing and leading successful multi-channel engagement campaigns integrating traditional, digital and social media strategies
Demonstrated experience successfully managing emerging and urgent issues and crises with significant reputational and business implications, and the ability to develop and implement strategic, effective response plans taking into account various audiences
Demonstrated experience and skill leading a high-performing, strategic communications team
Demonstrated ability to proactively and quickly recognize and assess reputational opportunities and issues, effectively communicating both the implications of the issue at hand and a clear path forward to executive stakeholders and team members
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and operate effectively in a highly matrixed, complex business and communications environment, including simultaneously supporting multiple stakeholders and effectively advancing multiple communication priorities
Demonstrated ability and willingness to collaborate with communications leaders across multiple businesses, in the interest of telling a more integrated, holistic story and protecting and elevating the reputation of the broader enterprise
Proven seasoned corporate communication professional with demonstrated success working with senior executive level clients and stakeholders, and building strong relationships across business groups and functions

Nice To Haves

B2B Healthcare experience, particularly with health tech or financial services
Demonstrated experience driving earned media, combined with a proven ability to positively and effectively influence reporting and resulting coverage
Marketing communications experience supporting growth initiatives through social media strategies, webinars and sales enablement tactics

Responsibilities

Establish and expand trust-based relationships with Optum Financial leadership through proactive, ongoing, disciplined engagement and expert strategic counsel
Develop and execute integrated communications strategies to advance the market and business priorities Execute integrated communications and visibility plans, activities and events to support growth objectives and employee engagement.
Work across the markets to identify opportunities to foster employee connectivity, accelerate growth with current and prospective customers and keep the organization connected to customer needs and insights.
Provide strategic counsel and support to Optum Financial CEO
Engage in declared and emergent priority issues as needed; contribute to and assist in the tactical execution of strategic initiatives with an emphasis on deliverables, timelines, metrics and budgets.
Partner across the communications organization to assess and optimize existing channels and tools to strengthen employees’ understanding of company strategy and culture, while also spearheading the exploration of new and innovative technologies to reach and engage a diverse range of internal audiences.
Develop and execute an engagement and awareness-building strategy that amplifies the distinctive, positive impact Optum Financial is having in enabling better care experiences through technology-enabled services.
Effectively manage issues and crisis communications as needed collaborating with business and functional partners to respond appropriately and effectively.
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.
Enforce quality standards and protocols that ensure consistently exceptional, high-quality work product, including all written materials and messaging generated by the team.
Analyze data and results from completed communications campaigns and tactics to identify and implement opportunities to improve content, delivery approaches and overall effectiveness.
Partner with Optum communications professionals in delivering strategic priorities that deepen employees’ connection to the business and advance business goals with key external stakeholders.
Provide consistent, hands-on support and coaching to communications team members through expert guidance, support and mentorship.
Set a positive example as a team and cultural leader, consistently demonstrating and advancing company values and modeling the core competencies for UHG communicators.