Optum Serve Associate Director, Planning & Strategy

Requisition Number: 2349844
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.
Optum Serve (OS) is The Federal Business of UnitedHealth Group. The Associate Director, Planning & Strategy provides day to day leadership for The Long-Range Plan and development of Balanced Scorecard Initiatives, establishing an implementable strategy for OS. The role owns end to end planning processes, translates enterprise and business line strategy into actionable roadmaps, and leads cross functional operating rhythms that drive outcomes. The Associate Director's work products and decisions primarily impact Optum Serve, with visibility to, and coordination with internal OS leaders and enterprise stakeholders. The Associate Director identifies and resolves technical, operational, and organizational problems beyond the immediate Strategy team, and develops products, services and processes that impact OS business offerings and customer accounts.
If you are located within the 30 minute commutable range to Washington, D.C, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Own the end to end planning cycle, including the Long-Range Plan and annual business plan including initial Balanced Scorecard Initiatives
• Drive portfolio governance for the Long-Range Plan: define charters, benefits, interdependencies, and success metrics; ensure benefits realization and course correct where needed
• Support long range strategy development and planning, including market and business insights development (e.g., market sizing, customer/contract analyses, competitor and policy scans) and turning analysis into clear recommendations
• Incorporate federal contracting trends, opportunities, and risks-including regulatory, policy, program integrity, and geopolitical considerations-into the planning lifecycle
• Develop an implementable strategy for OS, including intake, prioritization, capacity/resource planning, target setting, risk/issue management, and plan of record maintenance
• Translate enterprise and Optum Serve strategies into local plans with clear goals, KPIs/OKRs, milestones, and operating mechanisms; ensure alignment across Growth, Operations, Products, Shared Services, Clinical, Engagement, Finance, and Compliance
• Identify and solve cross organizational problems (process, handoffs, tooling, data) that hinder execution; standardize and optimize processes to improve cycle time, quality, and adoption
• Prepare executive ready materials (briefs, dashboards, narratives) and present progress, risks, and recommendations to local and enterprise leaders
• Contribute to business and enterprise initiatives (e.g., diligence analyses, integration workstreams, or operating model pilots) as a workstream lead or key contributor, coordinate handoffs back into local plans
• Maintain awareness of legislative, regulatory, and funding developments of the customers and strong understanding of federal health programs, policies, procurement frameworks, and agency priorities across federal health agencies incorporating these insights into planning, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations

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:

• 7+ years total experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, business operations, portfolio/program management, and/or management consulting; strong record translating strategy into execution at the market/site/function level
• Demonstrated experience leading projects/workstreams and successfully navigating a matrixed environment
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative Analytic execution and synthesis
• Experience working with multiple levels and departments to define and accomplish objectives
• Demonstrated proficiency in structured problem solving and analytics; advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with dashboarding tools
• Executive level communication skills (written, visual, verbal) and stakeholder management across functions
• Proven ability to successfully deliver work product under tight timelines and overall comfort working in ambiguity
• High degree of initiative, judgement and discretion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in federal contracting markets (VA, DoD/DHA, CMS, HHS agencies) and/or Optum Serve businesses
• Experience in motivating and influencing others at all levels within the organization
• Experience working in a matrix environment, with demonstrated ability in systems thinking and enterprise insight to solve complex business problems
• Exposure to M&A diligence or integrations as a workstream lead/contributor (not necessarily pipeline ownership)
• Hands on experience with OKR/KPI frameworks, portfolio governance, Agile/Lean delivery, and change management (e.g., Prosci)
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges and provide solutions
• Demonstrated growth mindset in being open and able to break through barriers, while having an ability to leverage innovation

*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 $91,700 to $163,700 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.