Business Development Associate - Remote

Optum; Houston (TX); Remote; USD 73,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

OptumInsight is looking for a Business Development Associate to support the Provider Market in the Central region. You will lead outreach, analyze market needs, and coordinate with cross-functional partners to drive early-stage pipeline growth in U.S. hospitals and health systems.

You’ll work remotely from anywhere in the U.S. and partner with sales leaders, marketing, and product teams to translate research into actionable growth strategies and well-documented handoffs throughout the sales

Qualifications

• 2+ years in business development, sales, account management, or related roles.
• Experience supporting lead generation, pipeline management and client research.
• Ability to interpret business information and recommend actions.
• Proven ability to prioritize in fast-paced or matrix environments.
• Experience using a CRM platform to manage activities and data quality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal guidance and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Independently identify and prioritize provider prospects and growth opportunities.
• Plan and execute structured prospecting and outreach activities.
• Assess market dynamics, competitor activity, and client needs to inform strategy.
• Translate research into account profiles and outreach plans for sales teams.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Product, Finance, Legal and others.
• Use AI tools and analytics to improve targeting and pipeline execution.
• Document opportunities and coordinate handoffs to sales executives.

Skills

CRM experience (Salesforce)

Lead generation

Market intelligence

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

OptumInsightis improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, andultimately consumers. Our deepexpertisein the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management,qualityand revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives?Join us to start

Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Business Development Associate serves as a commercial growth partner supporting the OptumInsight Provider Market organization. Working with a high degree of independence, this role combines disciplined lead generation, market intelligence, customer-needs assessment, and early-stage pipeline execution to identify opportunities and advance growth priorities with U.S.-based hospitals and health systems in the Central region.

The Business Development Associate partners with Regional Sales Leaders, Solution Sales Executives, Account Executives, Sales Readiness, Sales Operations, Product Go-to-Market, Marketing, Finance, and other matrix partners. The role interprets market and customer information, develops actionable recommendations, coordinates outreach, and enables well-documented handoffs throughout the client and sales lifecycle.

You’llenjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

Targeting, Lead Generation and Market Intelligence

• Independently identify and prioritize high-potential provider prospects, accounts, decision-makers, and growth opportunities using Salesforce, market intelligence platforms, internal analytics, dashboards, and market research
• Plan and execute structured prospecting and outreach activity, including campaign follow-up, conference and webinar lead management, client research, and contact identification
• Assess provider-market dynamics, competitor activity, industry trends, client challenges, and Optum capabilities to inform targeting strategy and pipeline priorities
• Translate research and data into concise account profiles, outreach plans, call-preparation materials, and actionable recommendations for sales teams and leaders

Pipeline Qualification and Sales Partnership

• Partner with Solution Sales Executives, Account Executives, Growth Leaders, and business development teams to shape outreach strategy, prepare for discovery, and advance early-stage opportunities
• Engage marketing-generated and inbound leads in a timely manner through phone, email, and other approved channels to assess fit, timing, stakeholders, customer needs, and next steps
• Interpret prospect responses and available information to determine appropriate qualification, follow-up, escalation, or handoff actions
• Document qualified opportunities and coordinate seamless handoffs to Solution Sales Executives and Account Executives in alignment with established pipeline-stage guidelines
• Independently manage follow-through across assigned prospecting, pipeline, campaign, and client-related initiatives while adapting to changing account priorities

CRM Discipline, Reporting and Operational Execution

• Maintain accurate prospecting activity, lead progress, customer research, opportunity status, and next steps in Salesforce or other designated tools
• Analyze activity and pipeline information to identify risks, gaps, trends, and recommended actions
• Reinforce CRM data quality, operating cadence, action tracking, and process consistency across business development activities
• Solve moderately complex operational issues and coordinate resolution across appropriate business partners with minimal guidance

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Client Support

• Serve as a coordination point across Sales Operations, Marketing, Market Solutions, Customer Success, Value Management, Product, Finance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders
• Assess stakeholder and customer requests, clarify requirements, and identify practical solutions or next steps for non-standard needs
• Provide clear explanations, recommendations, and status updates on complex or sensitive issues to sales partners and other stakeholders
• Coach and share guidance, tools, and effective practices with colleagues who have less experience

Analytics, AI Enablement and Continuous Improvement

• Use enterprise-approved AI tools, internal analytics, dashboards, and market intelligence resources to improve research, targeting, outreach quality, and pipeline execution
• Apply judgment to validate AI-generated or analytical insights before incorporating them into business recommendations or customer-facing work
• Identify opportunities to streamline manual tasks, improve workflows, strengthen field-facing resources, and translate new concepts into repeatable business practices

You’llbe 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

• 2+ years of experience in business development, sales, account management, sales support, commercial operations, healthcare consulting, healthcare technology, revenue cycle management, provider services, or a related customer-facing commercial function
• 2+ years of experience supporting lead generation, prospecting, pipeline management, client research, account planning, campaign follow-up, or opportunity qualification
• Experience assessing customer or prospect needs, interpreting business information, and recommending appropriate actions or solutions
• Experience independently managing multiple priorities, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments in a fast-paced or matrixed environment
• Experience using a CRM platform, such as Salesforce, to manage activities, document opportunities, and maintain data quality
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize information and deliver clear, actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information and build relationships across organizational levels
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and SharePoint
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, navigate ambiguity, adapt to changing priorities, and work with minimal guidance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting hospitals, health systems, physician groups, or other healthcare provider organizations
• Experience with revenue cycle management, healthcare financial operations, patient access, revenue integrity, claims, denials, healthcare technology, or related provider-market functions
• Experience supporting commercial growth, market expansion, strategic account planning, or client acquisition initiatives
• Experience using healthcare market intelligence, sales analytics, customer insights, or enterprise business development tools
• Experience coordinating across Sales, Operations, Marketing, Product, Finance, Legal, and other cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience using enterprise-approved AI-enabled productivity, research, analytics, or workflow tools
• 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 $72,800 - $130,000 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,locationand 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 marginalizedgroupsand those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and deliveringequitablecare 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 adrug -free workplace. Candidatesare required topass a drug test before beginning employment.