Associate Director, Communications Campaigns & Special Projects

Requisition Number: 2360599
UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that's dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together
The Associate Director, Communications Campaigns & Special Projects plays a critical role in advancing enterprise reputation and strategic communications priorities for a Fortune 10, highly regulated, integrated health care organization. This role supports the execution of high-impact, multi-channel campaigns - most notably the Built for Better Health reputation platform - while strengthening operational rigor across the communications function.
This leader combines solid project management discipline, external relationship management, and communications execution expertise to deliver measurable outcomes aligned to business, regulatory, and reputational goals.
Primary Responsibilities:
Campaign Execution & Reputation Building

• Support tactical execution of the enterprise Built for Better Health reputation campaign across paid, earned, and owned channels
• Coordinate cross-functional deliverables to ensure alignment with enterprise narrative, brand standards, and regulatory requirements
• Track campaign milestones, performance metrics, and deliverables to ensure timely and high-quality execution

Publication & Sponsorship Management

• Help manage relationships with key media, publishing partners, and sponsored platforms
• Coordinate content development, approvals, and placement across external publications and partnerships
• Ensure all engagements comply with regulatory, legal, and brand governance standards

Tent Pole Moment Planning & Execution

• Serve as project manager for strategic "tent pole" communications moments, as needed (e.g., major announcements, campaigns, events, reports)
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and stakeholder alignment processes
• Facilitate coordination across internal teams (communications, marketing, legal, compliance, business units) to deliver integrated outcomes

Operational Excellence & Capability Building

• Support development and continuous improvement of communications policies, procedures, systems, and processes
• Help establish scalable workflows, governance models, and documentation to enhance efficiency and consistency
• Identify opportunities to improve tools, reporting, and collaboration across the communications function

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with internal stakeholders across communications, marketing, public affairs, legal, compliance, and business segments
• Act as a connective tissue across teams to ensure alignment, transparency, and execution discipline

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.
Required Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or integrated marketing within a complex, highly regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience supporting enterprise-level campaigns and managing cross-functional projects
• Solid understanding of media relations, sponsorships, and content partnerships
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and execute within regulatory and compliance frameworks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in healthcare, insurance, or similarly regulated industries
• Familiarity with reputation management and brand campaigns at scale
• Experience building or improving communications processes and governance models

Key Competencies:

• Strategic execution with solid operational discipline
• Stakeholder management and influence across matrixed organizations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Solid written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical mindset with focus on outcomes and continuous improvement

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.