Associate Director, Medicare Stars Strategy - Remote Nationwide

Optum; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum seeks an Associate Director, Medicare Stars Strategy to lead Part D Star Ratings strategy, performance management, and client engagement. This role partners across clinical, analytics, and operations teams to build data-driven approaches that improve medication adherence and quality for Medicare clients.

Leveraging CMS Star Ratings expertise, you will translate performance data into actionable insights, guide interventions, and drive enterprise projects aligned with organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in pharmacy or PharmD required.
• 5+ years of experience with Medicare Part D Star Ratings.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Star strategy pharmacists and provide guidance on strategy development and analytics interpretations.
• Serve as the Part D Star Ratings SME for clients and internal teams.
• Lead Star strategy development and performance management for assigned clients.
• Monitor KPI performance to assess effectiveness of client strategies.
• Collaborate across cross-functional partners on Stars initiatives.
• Communicate clearly with clients and leadership.
• Manage strategic projects requiring problem-solving and analytics.
• Interpret CMS manuals, guidance, and specification updates.
• Identify trends and opportunities through data to support performance and growth.
• Drive projects and enterprise initiatives aligned with goals.

Skills

Medicare Part D Star Ratings

Cross-functional influence

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy or PharmD

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

You're looking for something bigger for your career. How about inventing the future of health care? OptumRx is creating an innovative approach to Pharmacy Benefit Management. Here you'll find a professional culture where you can use your talent and our resources to make an impact on a huge scale. With better schedules than retail and more reach than any hospital, you'll open doors for yourself that simply do not exist in any other organization, anywhere. Take this opportunity to start doing your life's best work.

The Associate Director, Medicare Stars Strategy serves as a clinical subject matter expert responsible for leading Part D Star Ratings strategy, performance management, and client engagement. This role partners across clinical, analytics, and operations teams to develop and execute data-driven strategies that improve medication adherence and overall quality performance for Medicare clients.

Leveraging deep expertise in CMS Star Ratings methodology and advanced analytics, the Associate Director translates performance data into actionable insights, identifies key drivers of success, and supports the implementation of targeted interventions to close care gaps and deliver measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Star strategy pharmacists, providing guidance on strategy development, analytics interpretations, and client delivery
• Serve as the Part D Star Ratings subject matter expert for both clients and internal teams
• Lead Star strategy development and performance management for assigned clients
• Monitor and evaluate key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of client‑specific strategies
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners on Stars‑related initiatives
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and leadership
• Manage strategic projects requiring problem‑solving, influence, and analytical expertise
• Analyze and interpret CMS technical manuals, regulatory guidance, and specification updates
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through data analysis to support client performance and business growth
• Drive and support various projects and enterprise initiatives, including process improvements, operational enhancements, reporting innovations, and other strategic priorities aligned with organizational goals

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions 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 in pharmacy or Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD)
• 5+ years' experience with Medicare Part D Star Ratings
• Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong technical understanding of the CMS star rating requirements
• Demonstrated experience leading Stars strategy, performance management, and client-facing consulting engagements
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging executive level stakeholders
• Proven leadership experience, including mentoring team members and managing multiple priorities in a matrixed environment
• Strong analytical expertise with ability to interpret complex datasets and translate insights into strategic action
• Familiarity with Stars forecasting models, adherence programs, and advanced analytics tools
• Experience supporting sales strategy, RFPs, and performance guarantee structuring
• Knowledge of broader quality program (e.g. HEDIS, Part C Stars)
• Already Fortune 6, we are totally focused on innovation and change. We work a little harder. We aim a little higher. We expect more from ourselves and each other. And at the end of the day, we're doing a lot of good
• Through our family of businesses and a lot of inspired individuals, we're building a high-performance health care system that works better for more people in more ways than ever. Now we're looking to reinforce our team with people who are decisive, brilliant - and built for speed
• Come to UnitedHealth Group, and share your ideas and your passion for doing more. We have roles that will fit your skills and knowledge. We have diverse opportunities that will fit your dreams
• Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law
• UnitedHealth Group is a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment
• All Telecommuters 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 $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full‑time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

#RPO, #GREEN