Senior Vice President, Industry Relations

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 Senior Vice President, Industry Relations is the enterprise executive responsible for Optum Rx's pharmaceutical manufacturer engagement strategy and contracting across all lines of business. This leader drives value driven outcomes, competitive market positioning, and improved medication affordability for commercial and government populations.

Reporting into senior Optum Rx leadership, the SVP leads end-to-end strategic relationships with pharmaceutical companies and specialty distribution partners, working in close partnership with formulary strategy, clinical leadership, analytics, finance, legal, and operations. This role leads a high-impact, globally matrixed organization and serves as a senior external representative to the pharmaceutical industry.

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and execute Optum Rx's enterprise Industry Relations strategy, aligned to business growth, affordability, and clinical value.
• Own senior executive relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and key industry partners.
• Integrate contracting strategy with formulary and clinical decision-making to achieve lowest-net-cost and evidence-based outcomes.
• Lead comprehensive strategic portfolio of specialty drug supply chain solutions.
• Partner cross-functionally across clinical, sales, analytics, finance, legal, compliance, trade relations, and specialty drug distribution and operations to deliver scalable results.
• Oversee financial modeling, forecasting, and performance management to inform negotiations and track value realization.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, globally matrixed Industry Relations organization.
• Provide executive oversight of regulatory and specialized economic domains impacting manufacturer economics and contracting strategy.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned pharmaceutical or PBM executive with deep expertise in strategic pharmaceutical manufacturing relationships, contracting and pricing dynamics, and market access strategy. This leader brings solid financial acumen, executive presence, and the ability to influence outcomes across complex, matrixed organizations. They are externally credible with manufacturers and internally trusted as a strategic partner and enterprise leader.

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:

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in PBM, pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, procurement, contracting, or the pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturer relationships at enterprise scale.
• 10+ years of senior or executive leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead large, global, matrixed teams.
• Solid financial, operational, and strategic leadership capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, influence, and relationship-management skills.

*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 $350,000 to $475,000 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.