Senior Director Strategic Partnerships

UnitedHealth Group•Eden Prairie, MN

1d•$134,600 - $230,800•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 Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships leads a team of Strategic Account Executives responsible for managing a portfolio of complex strategic client partnerships. This leader is accountable for driving client satisfaction, retention, growth, operational excellence, and employee engagement while developing high-performing talent and fostering strong cross-functional partnerships across Optum. The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor to clients and internal business leaders, ensuring the successful execution of client strategies, identifying opportunities to expand value, and delivering innovative solutions that improve client outcomes. This role partners closely with Sales, Product, Clinical, Operations, Finance, Legal, and other enterprise stakeholders to ensure consistent execution, strengthen client relationships, and achieve business objectives. You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in strategic client relationship management within the PBM, healthcare, health benefits, or related industry
5+ years of experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing client-facing teams
Experience building trusted relationships with executive and C-suite client leaders while influencing strategic business decisions
Experience leading complex client strategies, renewals, contract negotiations, and growth initiatives
Experience managing employer or healthcare client contracts and ensuring successful execution of contractual commitments
Experience with PBM financial components, including pricing strategies, financial performance, profitability, and performance guarantees
Experience presenting complex business information to executive audiences with demonstrated influence and executive presence
Experience working across highly matrixed organizations and leading cross-functional initiatives
Driver’s License and access to a reliable transportation
Ability to travel up to 25%25

Nice To Haves

Experience leading leaders and developing high-performing, geographically dispersed teams
Experience managing large, complex strategic client portfolios
Experience driving organizational change and leading enterprise initiatives
Experience leveraging AI-enabled technologies, including Microsoft Copilot or similar tools, to improve productivity and client outcomes
Experience with Salesforce CRM and data-driven portfolio management
Demonstrated success developing talent through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and leadership development
Demonstrated ability to improve client satisfaction, retention, and business growth

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Strategic Account Executives responsible for managing complex strategic client partnerships. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development while driving exceptional client and business outcomes
Develop leadership capability within the team through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, performance management, and ongoing talent development
Partner with senior client stakeholders to develop and execute strategic partnership plans that address current and emerging business needs, support long-term growth, and deliver measurable value
Build and maintain executive-level relationships with client leadership, serving as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex strategic initiatives
Drive portfolio strategy by ensuring client plans align with contractual commitments, organizational priorities, and measurable business outcomes
Lead the successful execution of client renewals, contract negotiations, market checks, and strategic growth opportunities while partnering with Sales, Contracting, Legal, and Finance
Champion operational excellence by collaborating across functional teams to ensure seamless delivery, proactive issue resolution, and consistent execution against client expectations
Influence and align cross-functional leaders to prioritize client needs, resolve complex issues, and deliver integrated solutions that enhance the client experience
Monitor portfolio performance, financial results, client satisfaction, and key performance indicators to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement
Serve as an ambassador for Optum by articulating the value of Optum solutions and strengthening executive relationships across client organizations
Promote innovation and the adoption of technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve team effectiveness, operational efficiency, and client engagement
Ensure contract compliance, including oversight of performance guarantees, service commitments, and contractual obligations
Maintain accurate portfolio management, strategic account planning, opportunity tracking, and executive reporting through CRM tools, including Salesforce
Foster a culture of inclusion, engagement, accountability, and collaboration that supports employee retention, career growth, and organizational success
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.