Vice President, Payer Relationships

Optum; Overland Park (KS); Remote; USD 159,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a strategic leader to oversee nationwide payer relationships and contracting across all pharmacy business segments. This executive role focuses on developing innovative contracting models, improving patient access, and driving profitable growth.

You will work with senior leaders to align payer strategies with enterprise goals, manage large matrix teams, and negotiate high-value agreements that shape the future of value-based care across Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in healthcare payer contracting or market access.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles managing large payer teams.
• Proven track record negotiating complex pharmacy and medical benefit agreements.
• Deep knowledge of Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and Government reimbursement models.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute enterprise payer strategy across all pharmacy segments.
• Lead and mentor Senior Directors for regional and national payer partnerships.
• Oversee contracting and market access activities across Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, Exchange, and Government programs.
• Drive revenue growth, access expansion, and profitability targets with data-driven decisions.
• Lead cross-functional teams with Operations, Legal, Finance, Product, and Growth.

Skills

Executive leadership

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Payer contracting

Strategic thinking

Education

MBA (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

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. The Vice President of Payer Relationships provides executive leadership for Optum Pharmacy's national payer engagement, contracting, and market access strategy across all PCS business segments, including Specialty Pharmacy, Infusion Pharmacy, Home Delivery, and future growth platforms. This leader oversees a team of Senior Directors responsible for regional and national payer relationships and is accountable for developing and executing enterprise payer contracting strategies that drive profitable growth, enhance patient access, strengthen strategic payer partnerships, and advance Optum's long-term business objectives. The Vice President serves as the executive relationship owner for key national payer organizations and industry stakeholders, leading complex negotiations, innovative value-based arrangements, and strategic initiatives that differentiate Optum in the marketplace. This role collaborates closely with executive leaders across contracting, operations, clinical services, finance, product, government affairs, growth, and strategy to achieve enterprise objectives. You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the enterprise payer relationship and contracting strategy across all pharmacy business segments.
• Lead and mentor a team of Senior Directors responsible for regional and national payer partnerships, ensuring alignment to organizational priorities.
• Establish multi-year strategic plans to drive access, growth, profitability, and competitive differentiation.
• Serve as the executive sponsor for strategic payer initiatives and transformational contracting models.
• Create a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, collaboration, and business results.
  

Payer Relationship Management

• Own executive-level relationships with national and regional health plans, integrated delivery systems, employers, government programs, and emerging healthcare organizations.
• Build trusted partnerships with payer executives, clinical leaders, pharmacy leaders, and network decision makers.
• Represent Optum Pharmacy in strategic industry forums, conferences, and executive payer engagements.
• Identify opportunities to expand market share, improve access, and strengthen long-term payer partnerships.
  

Contracting & Market Access

• Provide executive oversight of medical benefit contracting activities across Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, Exchange, and Government programs.
• Lead negotiation strategy for high-value agreements and enterprise-wide payer relationships.
• Drive development of innovative contracting approaches, including value-based care arrangements, shared savings models, quality incentives, site-of-care optimization, and risk-sharing agreements.
• Ensure consistent contracting philosophies, governance, and financial performance across all payer engagements.
  

Business Growth & Financial Performance

• Accountable for enterprise payer access, covered lives growth, revenue expansion, and profitability targets.
• Partner with finance, actuarial, and pricing leaders to evaluate business opportunities and optimize contract economics.
• Oversee development of business cases supporting strategic investments, expansion opportunities, and new market initiatives.
• Monitor and improve payer portfolio performance through data-driven decision making and strategic resource allocation.
  

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with executive leaders across Operations, Network Contracting, Clinical Services, Product, Growth, Government Affairs, Legal, and Finance.
• Align payer strategies with enterprise growth initiatives, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.
• Lead cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation and operationalization of payer agreements.
• Drive organizational alignment and communication regarding strategic payer initiatives.
  

Industry & Market Leadership

• Maintain deep knowledge of healthcare reimbursement, payer economics, CMS regulations, state regulatory requirements, and market trends.
• Anticipate industry disruption and develop proactive strategies to address competitive, regulatory, and market dynamics.
• Identify emerging opportunities within specialty pharmacy, infusion services, home-based care, behavioral health, and value-based care models.
• Represent Optum Pharmacy as a thought leader with external stakeholders and strategic partners.
  

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of healthcare payer contracting, market access, managed care, or healthcare strategy experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing senior leaders and large-scale payer organizations.
• Extensive experience negotiating complex pharmacy and medical benefit agreements.
• Deep understanding of Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and Government reimbursement models.
• Proven track record of delivering significant revenue growth, covered lives expansion, and value creation.
• Demonstrated success leading large, matrixed organizations and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional influencing, negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead in highly complex and rapidly evolving healthcare environments.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialty pharmacy, infusion pharmacy, or PBM leadership experience.
• Experience developing and implementing value-based care and risk-sharing models.
• MBA, MHA, PharmD, or other advanced healthcare or business degree.
• Experience managing national payer portfolios representing significant enterprise revenue.
  

Key Leadership Expectations

• Enterprise Strategic Thinking
• Executive Relationship Management
• Innovation and Value Creation
• Financial Acumen
• Organizational Leadership
• Talent Development
• Change Leadership
• Cross-Segment Collaboration
• Customer-Centric Growth Mindset
• Results Orientation
  

Success Measures

• Covered lives growth and market expansion
• Revenue and profitability performance
• Payer contract execution and renewal rates
• Value-based care adoption and outcomes
• Strategic partnership development
• Team engagement and leadership effectiveness
• Enterprise collaboration and influence
• Achievement of long-term organizational growth objectives
• 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 to $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 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.