Associate Director, Pharma Strategy

Requisition Number: 2372961
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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Emisar is a Group Purchasing Organisation within the overall Optum structure, working closely with manufacturers to negotiate value on pharmaceutical products for the benefit of our members.
About the Role:
As a Fortune 5 business, we're one of the world's leading healthcare companies. There are no limits here on the resources you'll have or the challenges you'll encounter.
We have been supporting global healthcare systems from Ireland and the UK for more than 20 years, building a dynamic and diverse team of more than 2,100 talented individuals. With a continued record of growth and stability, we're on the constant lookout for fresh talent to join our expanding teams.
Emisar is looking for an experienced, curious and self-motivated individual who will support the establishment and operations of the Pharma Strategy function through competitor and market analysis, insightful strategy development and business team support in negotiations where required. The successful candidate will report to the Senior Director, Pharma Strategy, Emisar. We are looking for people who can collaborate cross-functionally with various business, finance, operations and clinical teams, demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple competing business projects at one time.
Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Navigation of the US healthcare market with respect to US Commercial pharmacy benefit design and operations
• Financial modeling analytics for rebate optimization and cost strategy assessment of pharmaceutical products
• Clinical knowledge of multiple therapeutic categories for manufacturer assignments (e.g. CV, Diabetes, Respiratory disease)
• Monitor both internal and external resources and databases for commercially-pertinent information in relation to business priorities
• Develop strategic recommendations to support our members to solve for economic challenges
• Leverage pharmaceutical, business, and regulatory knowledge to ensure proposed solutions and/or strategic partnerships are in compliance with all regulations

You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience
• Proven extensive experience and understanding of the competitive landscape, with demonstrated familiarity with the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry
• Proven extensive experience in quantitative market analysis, strategy planning, and business case development
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams or departments to support business growth and profitability goals
• Demonstrated solid verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely translate data and insights into actionable recommendations and interpret complex information

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy
• Advanced degree, such as an MBA or PharmD
• Proven experience in the pharmaceutical industry or healthcare sector

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.
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.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.
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