Senior Vice President, Hospital and Health System Contracting

UnitedHealth Group•El Segundo, CA

3d•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 Vice President, Hospital and Health System Contracting, serves as the leader responsible for the full scope of hospital and institutional provider strategy, negotiations, and relationship management across the state of California. This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Network for Optum Health Networks and maintains dual accountability to the CEO of California. This leader is a key architect of Optum Health California’s hospital contracting strategy across Medicare Advantage, Commercial, and Medicaid lines of business. The position requires exceptional strategic, operational, and relationship-building capabilities, with deep experience in complex payer–provider negotiations and value-based care models. The Senior Vice President works cross-functionally to ensure alignment with clinical, operational, financial, and administrative teams, while maintaining strong partnerships with hospital systems across the region. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in hospital or institutional contracting within a health plan
5+ years of experience in capitation and risk-based contracting with facilities and health systems
Deep understanding of risk-bearing entities, utilization management, and value-based care models
Proven track record negotiating complex provider contracts across Medicare Advantage, Commercial, and Medicaid lines of business
Proven ability to travel routinely to provider sites and internal teams across Southern California
Proven ability to work effectively in Pacific Time Zone hours

Nice To Haves

Experience in medical group or IPA settings
Established relationships with hospital systems in Southern California
Proven solid financial acumen and strategic thinking abilities
Proven exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
Proven ability to navigate and influence within a complex matrixed organization
Proven collaborative, solutions-driven approach with a focus on execution and outcomes

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the institutional and hospital partnership strategy for Optum Health California, ensuring alignment with organizational goals related to growth, affordability, and quality
Serve as a strategic advisor to regional leadership teams, collaborating to achieve market-level objectives
Contracting & Negotiation
Lead end-to-end negotiations and ongoing management of hospital and health system contracts across all lines of business (Medicare Advantage, Commercial, Medicaid)
Ensure contracts promote value-based care, align incentives, and support cost management and affordability initiatives
Exercise independent judgment and decision-making on complex contracting and business issues
Team & Organizational Leadership
Build, coach, and lead a high-performing team responsible for hospital and institutional contracting
Develop capabilities within the team to meet evolving market demands and organizational priorities
Inspire teams to deliver high engagement, operational excellence, and strong performance
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with leaders across Utilization Management, Clinical Leadership, Group and IPA Operations, Claims, Finance, and other Optum Health functions
Ensure operational readiness and alignment in the execution of hospital contracts and related initiatives
Market Engagement & Relationship Management
Represent Optum Health California with hospital executives and institutional partners
Build and maintain high-trust, executive-level relationships that support strategic objectives and long-term collaboration
Performance Monitoring
Establish metrics and reporting processes to monitor hospital partner performance and contract outcomes
Lead interventions to improve quality, patient experience, affordability, and performance where necessary
Oversee unit cost controls and broader medical cost management strategies