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 Director, Enterprise Strategy is a strategic, high-performing leader who thrives in a fast-paced, highly visible environment and operates seamlessly across business units, functions, and executive levels. This individual brings enterprise thinking, intellectual curiosity, and sound judgment to some of the organization's most important priorities.
This role partners closely with senior executives across UnitedHealth Group, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare - including the Office of the CEO (OCEO) - to define strategic direction, drive transformation initiatives, and ensure consistent alignment with enterprise goals. The ideal candidate combines analytical depth, business acumen, and executive presence to deliver measurable impact in a complex, matrixed environment. They lead through influence by clarifying decision rights, aligning incentives across teams, and establishing operating rhythms that move work forward beyond formal reporting lines.
Deliverables are often time-sensitive and executive-ready (e.g., CEO briefs, decision memos, and Board-quality presentations). Success requires discretion with sensitive information, the ability to triage competing priorities, and a bias toward action and follow-through
The successful candidate will be a strategic, adaptable, and results-oriented leader who can connect enterprise vision with operational execution. They will demonstrate intellectual agility, executive presence, and a collaborative mindset - consistently driving impact across diverse teams and priorities.
You Will Be Energized By
- Partnering with enterprise and business unit leaders - including senior executive leaders to frame strategic questions, identify opportunities and risks, and translate insights into actionable strategies and roadmaps
- Leading cross-functional initiatives focused on growth, operational excellence, and transformation; define governance, decision rights, and operating cadence to sustain momentum across teams you do not directly manage
- Navigating ambiguity with agility - shifting seamlessly between strategic analysis and execution while managing multiple concurrent workstreams and rapid timelines
- Building trusted relationships and influence leaders across all levels of the organization, fostering collaboration across Optum, UnitedHealthcare, corporate functions, and external partners as needed
- Developing executive-ready narratives and materials (one-pagers, decision memos, and Board-quality presentations) that distill complex analysis into clear options and recommendations
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
- Lead enterprise and business unit strategy projects from scoping through implementation, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities across varied reporting structures
- Develop and deliver data-driven insights, market assessments, and business cases to inform strategic decisions
- Drive operational and financial analyses to quantify impact, assess trade-offs, and guide execution
- Partner with leaders across the enterprise to coordinate execution and monitor progress on key initiatives
- Develop frameworks, dashboards, and performance metrics to ensure visibility and accountability
- Support corporate planning, executive presentations, and Board-level materials as needed
- Mentor and develop team members, fostering analytical and leadership capabilities within the Corporate Strategy organization
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
- Undergraduate degree in Business, Economics, Healthcare Administration, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, or business transformation roles within large, complex organizations
- Proven ability to influence, engage, and collaborate with C-Suite and senior executives
- High integrity and discretion when handline sensitive information; ability to operate with urgency and tight timelines
- Agility, adaptability, and comfort with shifting priorities
- Demonstrated experience leading high-impact, cross-functional initiatives through uncertainty and ambiguity - balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and financial modeling capabilities
- Excellent communication and executive storytelling skills - able to distill complex information into clear insights and recommendations, including crisp memo writing and advanced slide expertise
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, or equivalent)
- Experience in healthcare, technology, or other highly regulated industries
- Familiarity with UnitedHealth Group's business structure and enterprise strategy
- Background in strategic planning, enterprise transformation, or organizational effectiveness
- Based in Chicago, Boston, D.C., or Minneapolis preferred; travel up to 20%
- 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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.
