Sr Consultant (Payer Operations) Optum Advisory - Remote

UnitedHealth Group•Eden Prairie, MN

5d•$91,700 - $163,700•Remote

About The Position

The Sr. Consultant (Payer Operations) works within an Optum Advisory delivery team and contributes to engagement work products, project execution, and business management activities. The role structures and conducts analysis, creates client-ready content for assigned workstreams, and contributes to problem solving across the full scope of each project. It emphasizes independent workstream delivery, analytics, client-ready deliverables, team problem solving, knowledge management, and emerging consulting leadership. The successful candidate brings healthcare payer operations experience, analytical and financial problem-solving skills, and the ability to independently manage assigned workstreams while supporting junior team members. The role leads client communications for assigned workstreams, proactively identifies risks and issues, and makes recommendations to improve project delivery and client outcomes. It may also lead smaller, more templated engagements or projects in familiar payer operations areas. The position is remote for employees working from anywhere in the U.S. Employees hired in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area must work in the office at least four days per week. Remote employees must follow UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy. Travel of up to 50% may be required. The salary range is $91,700–$163,700 annually based on full-time employment. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.

Requirements

At least 3 years of relevant healthcare work experience, including healthcare insurance, healthcare operations, or healthcare management consulting.
At least 3 years of experience across multiple lines of healthcare payer business, including Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, ACA, and Family/Individual coverage, among others.
At least 3 years of experience in one or more payer operations areas, such as claims operations, payment integrity, provider operations, member/provider services, operational controls, reporting, or financial performance.
At least 3 years of experience in data analysis and financial analysis.
At least 3 years of experience in program and operational coordination, including tracking, presentation, reporting, timeline management, and follow-through.
Ability to travel up to 50%.
Remote employees must adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.
Candidates must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of external client-facing experience at a consulting firm, including Big 3, Big 4, Big 6, boutique, or comparable advisory experience.
Payment integrity experience, including audit, recovery, prevention, payment accuracy, claims editing, vendor operations, or operational optimization initiatives.
Experience applying process improvement or implementation methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile.
Experience mentoring, coaching, or assisting junior-level staff.
Ability to structure analytical reasoning and solution-focused problem solving.
Ability to participate in and contribute to cross-functional teams.
Ability to work in complex, highly matrixed, fast-paced environments.
Interpersonal and relationship-management skills, including customer- or client-facing experience.
Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, client-ready presentations and work products.

Responsibilities

Structure the approach and analysis for assigned workstreams, largely independently and with guidance from project or engagement leadership as needed.
Develop client-ready work products, including analyses, process documentation, current- and future-state materials, issue summaries, recommendations, and presentation content.
Lead client communications for assigned workstreams and support communications concerning work performed by junior team members when needed.
Establish timelines for workstream activities and assist junior team members with timelines, deliverables, and follow-through.
Contribute to problem solving across the project and structure and facilitate problem-solving sessions with Project Manager support.
Anticipate challenges, dependencies, and risks in assigned areas and recommend or make practical adjustments.
Communicate effectively and accurately with clients, prospects, team members, and practice leaders, both verbally and in writing.
Apply payer operations knowledge across areas including claims operations, payment integrity, provider operations, member and provider services, appeals and grievances, compliance, operational reporting, and performance management.
Conduct data and financial analysis to identify issues, root causes, business impacts, and practical solution options.
Translate analysis, stakeholder input, and project findings into clear insights and actionable recommendations.
Maintain a foundational understanding of healthcare industry dynamics and awareness of Optum data sets, tools, research, assets, and methods used in client delivery.
Lead or participate in practice development projects, including business process improvement, knowledge management, reusable assets, and internal capability building.
Support junior team members in structuring work, understanding expectations, improving deliverable quality, and meeting timelines.
Contribute to a collaborative team environment and internal initiatives that strengthen client delivery, improve consistency, and advance payer operations offerings.