Director, Pharma Business Development - 3PL and Specialty Distribution

Coastal Cardiology PC; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum seeks a Director, Pharma Business Development in Ohio (Etna/Columbus area) to drive new manufacturer partnerships and revenue growth in 3PL and specialty distribution. This senior individual contributor role requires strategic leadership, deep pharma 3PL knowledge, and the ability to translate market insights into winning proposals.

The role blends sales strategy with operations understanding, demanding executive-level relationship building across pharmaceutical and biotechnology

Qualifications

• 8+ years in pharma distribution, specialty pharmacy, or related BD.
• 3+ years enabling pharma commercialization and 3PL services.
• Experience influencing senior executives in pharma/biotech.

Responsibilities

• Market and client development strategies aligned with Optum Specialty Distribution and 3PL growth objectives.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, including pricing strategy and terms.
• Design proposals highlighting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Build executive-level relationships with senior leaders across commercial, market access, trade, supply chain, operations, and BD.
• Collaborate with operations, industry relations, and account management to refine offerings and onboarding.

Skills

Executive influence

Pharma distribution

Sales leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic partnerships

Forecasting

Tools

CRM software

Office suite

Job description

Improve the lives of others while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Job Description - Director, Pharma Business Development - 3PL and Specialty Distribution (2386888)

Director, Pharma Business Development - 3PL and Specialty Distribution - 2386888

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.

Optum is seeking a Director, Pharma Business Development based in Etna, Ohio (Columbus market). This role offers a hybrid work arrangement and requires travel to client sites, industry conferences, and manufacturer meetings as needed. This role is a senior individual contributor specifically responsible for driving new manufacturer client acquisition and revenue growth through strategic business development activities for Optum's specialty distribution and third-party logistics (3PL) services.

This role blends strategic sales leadership with operational expertise in both pharmaceutical and 3PL domains, requiring a mix of market insight, regulatory knowledge, and relationship building skills to drive growth in a highly regulated, high value industry. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of the Pharma 3PL landscape, along with demonstrated success in U.S. pharmaceutical commercialization, and strategic alliance management. Success will require solid commercial acumen, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to translate strategy into measurable revenue growth. This role will play a key role in building and scaling a business that sets a new standard for distribution.

If you are located in Ohio, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Market & Client Development - Develop and execute market development strategies aligned with Optum Specialty Distribution and 3PL growth objectives Identify emerging pharmaceutical and biotech opportunities, prioritize target segments, and establish market engagement plans that expand manufacturer partnerships and revenue growth
• Sales Strategy & Execution - Lead complex commercial negotiations, including pricing strategy, contractual terms, service scope development, and executive stakeholder alignment through contract execution
• Solution Design - Leverage expertise in pharmaceutical storage, handling, and compliance to create tailored proposals highlighting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance
• Relationship Building - Build and maintain executive-level relationships with senior leaders across commercial, market access, trade, supply chain, operations, and business development functions within pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations
• Cross Functional Collaboration - Work with operations, industry relations, and account management teams to refine offerings, ensure smooth onboarding, and ongoing management of client agreements
• Commercial Leadership - Develop account strategies for priority manufacturer opportunities to build and manage a robust multi-million-dollar sales pipeline Maintain accurate forecasting to achieve and exceed annual revenue growth objectives
• Enterprise Influence - Own the commercial strategy and execution for complex opportunities, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across operations, legal, finance, and compliance to develop solutions, structure agreements, negotiate contracts, and deliver commercially viable outcomes

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:

• 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical distribution, manufacturer services, specialty pharmacy, healthcare supply chain, or strategic business development
• 3+ years of experience supporting pharmaceutical commercialization, specialty distribution, 3PL services, manufacturer services, or related business development activities
• Experience engaging and influencing senior executives and key decision makers within pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical supply chain operations, manufacturer commercialization needs, and applicable US regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated success sourcing, developing, and closing complex pharmaceutical manufacturer opportunities resulting in significant revenue growth
• Proven excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Demonstrated success building and managing large-scale pharmaceutical business development pipelines and delivering significant revenue growth

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience selling services or solutions directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers
• Experience supporting product launches, commercialization strategies, or channel design
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, Word and other reporting tools
• Proficiency with CRM platforms
• Proven existing relationships within pharmaceutical, biotech, or specialty pharmaceutical organizations

*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 - $230,800 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, 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.

UnitedHealth Group is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation for any part of the application process, please call 1-866-566-8715 to be connected to Recruitment Services. Recruitment Services hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

UnitedHealth Group is a registered service mark of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. The UnitedHealth Group name with the dimensional logo, as well as the dimensional logo alone, are both service marks for the UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

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.