Sr Director, Innovation & Strategy - Remote

UnitedHealth Group; Eden Prairie (MN); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telecommuter policy adherence

Comprehensive benefits package

Equity stock purchase program

401(k) contribution

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group is seeking a VP & GM, Employer Strategy to lead the Optum Financial Employer segment. This role requires executive leadership, strategic market expansion, and cross-functional execution to scale HSA and specialty accounts.

You will champion digital solutions and AI adoption while delivering high-impact commercial outcomes. You will oversee a team, drive partnerships with enterprise groups, and translate strategy into market-leading initiatives with strong customer value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with extensive leadership experience
• 12+ years in strategic planning, business development, product management, or corporate innovation
• 8+ years leading cross-functional teams and driving executive-level growth

Responsibilities

• Lead the Employer Strategy division, accountable for growth, market expansion, and execution of HSA and specialty accounts
• Drive end-to-end commercial execution with product, sales, marketing, and operations
• Own KPIs and growth targets across the employer segment
• Build executive partnerships to align product and commercial strategies
• Integrate AI and digital tools into business workflows and set adoption goals
• Leverage data and AI to solve employer-benefits problems and identify expansion opportunities
• Mentor a high-performing team aligning with digital competencies

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Growth strategy

Digital transformation

AI & analytics awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree (MBA/MHA)

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.

We are seeking a VP & GM, Employer Strategy to join our Optum Financial team as an business leader holding strategic and commercial accountability for our Employer segment. In this role, you will transition beyond solely advising to actively lead, manage, and scale our business. As a true General Manager, you will hold direct responsibility for business growth, market expansion, and cross-functional execution. You will champion the deployment of pioneering digital solutions and advanced technologies to optimize consumer experience and account engagement. This role is built for a visionary leader with the executive presence to define employer-market strategies and the operational drive to translate those plans into high-performing commercial outcomes.

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.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the GM and leader of the Employer Strategy division, holding overall accountability for business growth, market expansion, and strategic execution of our HSA and specialty account portfolio
• Drive end-to-end commercial execution, proactively partnering with product, sales, marketing, and operations to translate strategic frameworks into scaled, market-leading solutions that directly increase HSA adoption and account holder engagement
• Maintain segment-level business ownership, managing and executing on key performance indicators (KPIs), operational metrics, and growth targets across the employer segment
• Establish and grow executive-level partnerships across Optum Financial, employer groups, and corporate partners to maximize product alignment, commercial distribution, and customer value
• Integrate enterprise AI and advanced digital tools into business workflows, setting performance and technology-adoption goals in team development plans, and actively removing barriers to accelerate adoption
• Strategically leverage data-driven insights and AI capabilities to solve complex employer-benefits problems, identify market expansion opportunities, and unlock commercial value
• Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing strategic and operational team, fostering a tech-forward and highly collaborative culture that aligns with modern digital competencies

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 or equivalent experience (e.g., 4+ years of executive business leadership experience in addition to the minimum experience requirements)
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategic planning, business development, product management, or corporate innovation within healthcare financial services, fintech, or corporate banking
• 8+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams, managing direct business units or segments, and actively driving growth or commercial outcomes at an executive level
• Proven track record of transitioning strategy from inception through full lifecycle of operationalization and commercial delivery
• Demonstrated executive communication and presentation skills, with a proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively with C-suite stakeholders in a highly matrixed corporate environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MHA, or equivalent) in Business, Finance, or a related field
• Experience in a true General Manager capacity with direct or matrixed accountability for business performance metrics, commercial growth, and segment retention
• Deep expertise in employer-sponsored benefits, consumer-directed healthcare (CDH), or financial accounts
• Solid knowledge of next-generation digital finance trends, such as digital wallets, automated investment tools, or payment ecosystems, and advanced technology platforms to drive engagement

*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 $159,300 - $273,200 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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.