Vice President, Pharmacy Operations Transformation - OptumRx

Requisition Number: 2380066
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.
The Pharmacy Operations Transformation Leader is the key architect of the future Pharmacy operating model, driving pharmacy-wide innovation, transformation, and cross-functional collaboration. This leader will be responsible for identifying, designing, and scaling transformational capabilities that improve patient, client, provider, and employee experiences while advancing operational excellence across the pharmacy ecosystem.
A critical priority for this role is leading the vision, strategy, and execution of the Pharmacy AI-Native Platform of the Future-a next-generation operating platform that leverages artificial intelligence, automation, digital workflows, and advanced analytics to reimagine how pharmacy care is delivered at scale.
The ideal candidate combines operational expertise, strategic thinking, technology acumen, and change leadership to partner closely with operations, product, capabilities, technology, digital, and analytics teams to accelerate innovation and business outcomes.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. 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:
Pharmacy Transformation Leadership

• Lead strategic transformation initiatives across Pharmacy operations, driving modernization of processes, operating models, and capabilities
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve quality, cost, speed, scalability, and customer experience through innovation and technology
• Develop and execute multi-year transformation roadmaps aligned to enterprise, business and tech strategies
• Establish governance, performance metrics, and value realization frameworks to ensure sustainable outcomes

AI-Native Pharmacy Platform Strategy

• Lead the design and development of the Pharmacy AI-Native Platform vision, strategy, and roadmap
• Partner with business, technology, digital and capability teams to define future-state workflows powered by AI, automation, machine learning, predictive analytics, and digital agents
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies that enhance clinical, operational, fulfillment, service, and patient engagement capabilities
• Translate business needs into scalable platform requirements, prioritize transformation investment priorities and ensure alignment between strategic objectives and technology investments
• Champion the use of AI to create intelligent, proactive, and highly personalized pharmacy experiences

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison across Operations, Technology, Product, Capabilities, Digital, Clinical, and Analytics organizations
• Rapidly build strong partnerships to align priorities, accelerate execution, and remove barriers to transformation
• Facilitate OptumRx & Pharmacy executive discussions and influence decisions across complex stakeholder groups
• Lead highly matrixed teams and working groups responsible for delivering enterprise initiatives

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Create a culture of innovation by identifying emerging trends, technologies, and best practices applicable to pharmacy operations
• Evaluate new capabilities, strategic partnerships, and pilot opportunities that support operational transformation
• Promote experimentation, rapid prototyping, and agile delivery methodologies
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve operational performance and employee experience

Change Leadership & Adoption

• Develop comprehensive change management strategies that ensure successful implementation and adoption of transformational initiatives
• Communicate vision, progress, and business impact to various executive leaders and key stakeholders
• Build organizational capabilities and leadership alignment necessary to sustain long-term transformation

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:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, transformation, strategy, consulting, technology, or healthcare
• Proven track record leading large-scale transformation initiatives
• Thrives within a highly matrixed environments and partnering closely with technology, product, and business teams to deliver complex initiatives
• Strong executive presence with demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and drive organizational change
• Experience building business cases, operating models, and strategic roadmaps
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, digital platforms, and emerging healthcare technologies
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MBA, PharmD, MHA, MS, or equivalent)
• Experience within pharmacy, healthcare, PBM, health services, or highly regulated industries
• Background in agile delivery, innovation management, and human-centered design

*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 $200,400 to $343,500 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.