Director of Operations - ABA Utilization Management

Optum; Cypress (TX); Remote; USD 124,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Director of Utilization Management to lead a rapidly growing team focused on providing high-quality behavioral health services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This role is pivotal in overseeing clinical operations and ensuring adherence to performance standards while fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in mental health, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to improving health outcomes. Join this innovative organization and make a meaningful impact on the communities served while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Incentive and recognition programs

401k contribution

Equity stock purchase

Qualifications

• 7+ years of post-licensure experience in mental health.
• 5+ years of experience with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Experience managing operations and key performance indicators.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of 115 staff for ABA outpatient services.
• Ensure team meets performance standards and metric goals.
• Collaborate with functional leaders for effective workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Education

Master's degree in Psychology

PhD or PsyD in Psychology

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

This position is responsible for clinical review of behavioral health services, specifically Applied Behavioral Analysis and for members with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This leader will oversee a team of approximately 115 staff to handle utilization management for ABA outpatient services. The Director will design functions across multiple lines of business. He/she will oversee clinical operations for day-to-day workflows, end to end processes, and implementations for the ABA team. A large focus will be to oversee functional strategy for the ABA utilization management team and liaison with other departments including communications, legal, network, growth, client management, product, and clinical leadership.

This position will be responsible for key performance indicators related to ABA utilization management. Indicators will include overseeing quality, productivity, customer service skills, communication ability, and leadership effectiveness. The Director will manage the team to these indicators and communicate progress upwards to leadership.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provides direct oversight to a rapidly growing team of 115 indirect reports including associate director, managers, care advocates, team leads, and team assistants on the Autism UM Team
• Expectation is to have 6-8 direct reports including managers and associate directors
• Monitor and consistently meet department quality and performance standards for all staff
• Ensure the team meets or exceeds metric goals, utilization management targets, and savings targets
• Consult on the production and use of data, reporting, and analytics for successful team performance and productivity
• Collaborate with peer functional leaders to ensure effective, interactive workflows and support for consumers and customers
• Maintain and improve team Employee Experience survey scores, Employee Engagement scores, and work towards increasing Autism customers Net Promotor Score
• Develop and apply ABA processes and workflows across a variety of markets, each with its own complex set of services and requirements
• Adapt departmental plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges
• Ensure team adherence to legal/regulatory requirements
• Proactively identify ways to improve service delivery and drive solutions
• Collaborate to create initiatives that will enhance the value of the team and grow value for clients with savings and increased quality
• Be able to clearly articulate key account components including unique services, requirements, and historical and current performance results
• Respond to customer requests, inquiries and concerns with urgency
• Continuously focus on improving core business operations performance and costs
• Ensure projects are in place to improve NPS and whole person care
• Ensure all team members have individualized career goals with each team 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:

• Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling, OR PhD or PsyD in Psychology
• Active, unrestricted, independent mental health license in your state of residence
• 7+ years of post-licensure experience
• 5+ years of experience working with children and families with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role
• 3+ years of managed care and/or utilization review experience in a managed care setting
• Experience managing operations and key performance indicators

Preferred Qualifications:

• BCBA certification
• Licensure as Behavior Analyst in state of residence, if applicable
• Experience working in a matrixed environment
• Advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Skills
• Proven solid operational focus with demonstrated project management, change management, and execution skills.
• Proven self-motivated and able to work with little direct supervision and drive results with disciplined follow-though
• Proven solid verbal and written communication skills

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

The salary range for this role is $124,500 to $239,400 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.