At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and optimized. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together
The Associate Director of Healthcare Economics - Network Pricing supports Provider Network contracting and unit cost management activities through financial modeling, analysis of utilization, and reporting (VBC agreements, physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, ancillary facilities, shared/full risk delegation, etc.). This onsite/hybrid/telecommute position engages our West Region team conducting ACO support along with unit cost and contract valuation analysis related to provider negotiations and medical cost management strategies. Responsibilities also include managing unit cost budgets, target setting, performance reporting, and associated financial models.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute data management strategies with business partners in United Health Networks and United Health Clinical to help our contracted entities/internal partners be successful
- Provide consultative advice on use of data as subject matter expert and interpret/summarize analytical findings
- Collaborate with partners to identify, investigate, and communicate cost and utilization patterns for inefficiencies and potential opportunities in various member populations to help reduce overall total cost of care
- Solves complex problems and finds innovative sustainable solutions
- Influence pricing strategies and network configuration decisions using a data driven approach
- Evaluate financial impacts of network configurations across hospital, ancillary and physician provider types
- Work with cross-functional teams across the organization to make strategic decisions supported by data
- Serve as subject matter expert on data, reporting and methodologies supporting our contracts and relationships
- Resolve business problems and direct others to resolve business problems that affect multiple functions or disciplines
- Make decisions about product, service or process decisions that will impact multiple functions and/or customer accounts (internal or external)
This role will involve extensive external meetings, and some travel, to negotiate with providers, share performance results and explain complex financial models.
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:
- 5+ years of experience in creating and using financial modeling tools, spreadsheets, and information acquisition tools including experience in interpreting and reviewing financial modeling results to evaluate the financial impact of contract changes and develop forecasts
- 3+ years of healthcare managerial experience
- Moderate or higher level experience with SAS and SQL
- Proficiency in MS Excel
- Demonstrated career progression within healthcare economics, health care pricing, network management, or related discipline
- Well versed in PowerPoint
- Ability to travel 15% of the time within the West US Region
- Ability to work remotely or office-based focused on supporting West Region office locations (PST OR MST)
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience working with large databases to produce a focused analysis with proficiency in SAS/SQL for data manipulation and reporting
- Experience with advanced statistical functions for financial modeling
- Successful leadership experience
- Knowledge of Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid PPO and HMO revenue and expense, as well as delegation financial modeling
- Detailed knowledge of Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid payment methodologies for hospital, ancillary, and physician services
- Expert level of proficiency in performing financial impact analysis, risk management, and claims data manipulation
- Moderate proficiency in Power BI, Tableau or other analytic visualization software
- Demonstrated advanced written and verbal communications skills including negotiation and presentation
*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
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 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years creating and using financial modeling tools, spreadsheets, and information acquisition tools
- 3+ years of healthcare managerial experience
- Moderate or higher level experience with SAS and SQL
- Proficiency in MS Excel
- Well versed in PowerPoint
- Demonstrated career progression within healthcare economics, health care pricing, network management, or related discipline
- Ability to travel 15% of the time within the West US Region
- Ability to work remotely or office-based focused on supporting West Region office locations (PST or MST)
- 3+ years experience working with large databases and proficiency in SAS/SQL for data manipulation and reporting
- Experience with advanced statistical functions for financial modeling
- Successful leadership experience
- Knowledge of Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid PPO and HMO revenue and expense and delegation financial modeling
- Detailed knowledge of Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid payment methodologies for hospital, ancillary, and physician services
- Expert level proficiency in performing financial impact analysis, risk management, and claims data manipulation
- Moderate proficiency in Power BI, Tableau or other analytic visualization software
- Demonstrated advanced written and verbal communications skills including negotiation and presentation
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO accrues each pay period with eight paid U.S. holidays plus a floating holiday, and generous time away is consistently emphasized. This breadth supports planned and unplanned time off beyond standard vacation days.
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Parental & Family Support — Six weeks of paid parental leave, up to two weeks of paid caregiver leave, Bright Horizons back‑up care, and adoption assistance signal strong family-oriented support. EAP access with counseling sessions further extends help to employees and their households.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Company‑paid short‑ and long‑term disability, Calm app membership, tuition reimbursement, commuter and FSA accounts, and broad employee discounts expand everyday wellbeing resources. Free or low‑cost virtual visits complement these lifestyle supports.
Optum Insights
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, 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. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.