Vice President, Strategic Account Management - Remote

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

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group is seeking a Vice President, Commercial Client Management to lead high-value client relationships, drive retention and growth, and ensure operational excellence across a diverse client portfolio. You will partner with executives to deliver results and oversee performance metrics and strategy.

The role requires remote work from anywhere in the U.S. with in-office presence four days weekly for Minneapolis/DC area hires.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of leadership experience in account management, pharmacy benefits management, healthcare, client services, consulting, or related field
• 5+ years in PBM/Managed care pharmacy industry, including market dynamics, pricing, and contract modeling
• Experience managing large, complex client portfolios
• Experience engaging with C-suite and executive stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to lead leaders and develop high-performing teams
• Proven solid financial, operational, and strategic business acumen

Responsibilities

• Serve as executive sponsor for strategic client relationships and growth
• Maintain accountability for portfolio revenue, profitability, retention, and growth targets
• Lead directors and strategic account teams; establish performance expectations and accountability
• Oversee resolution of complex client escalations and partner with ops, product, clinical, technology
• Collaborate with sales, product, operations, finance, legal, and clinical leadership to influence enterprise strategy

Skills

Leadership experience

PBM/Managed care knowledge

Portfolio management

C-suite engagement

Executive team leadership

Financial & strategic acumen

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.

Position Summary

The Vice President, Commercial Client Management is responsible for leading a portfolio of high-value client relationships, driving retention, growth, client satisfaction, and operational excellence. This role provides strategic leadership to account management teams, serves as an executive sponsor for key clients, and partners across the organization to deliver business results, resolve complex client issues, and support long-term growth strategies.

The Vice President is accountable for financial performance, client outcomes, team development, and executive-level relationship management across a diverse portfolio of customers, consultants, and strategic partners.

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:

• Client Leadership & Growth
  • Serve as executive sponsor for strategic client relationships
  • Develop and execute client retention and expansion strategies
  • Lead executive business reviews and strategic planning sessions
  • Identify opportunities to increase revenue, deepen partnerships, and improve client outcomes
  • Build and maintain relationships with client executives, consultants, and industry stakeholders
• Financial & Business Performance
  • Maintain accountability for portfolio revenue, profitability, retention, and growth targets
  • Monitor business performance and address emerging risks
  • Support renewal strategy, contract negotiations, and pricing discussions
  • Ensure achievement of segment and enterprise financial objectives
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, coach, and develop directors, senior directors, and strategic account executive teams
  • Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures
  • Drive succession planning, talent development, and organizational effectiveness
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Client Experience & Operational Excellence
  • Oversee resolution of complex client escalations and service issues
  • Partner with operations, product, clinical, technology, and implementation teams to improve client outcomes
  • Drive process improvements and adoption of technology, automation, and AI-enabled solutions
  • Ensure consistent execution of service strategies and operational standards
• Strategic Partnership & Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Collaborate with sales, product, operations, finance, legal, and clinical leadership
  • Influence enterprise strategy through client and market insights
  • Represent the organization at industry events, advisory boards, and executive forums
  • Support strategic initiatives that improve competitive positioning and customer value

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:

• 7+ years of leadership experience in account management, pharmacy benefits management, healthcare, client services, consulting, or related field
• 5+ years of PBM/Managed care pharmacy industry, including evolving market dynamics, pricing, and contract modeling
• Experience managing large, complex client portfolios
• Experience engaging with C-suite and executive stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to lead leaders and develop high-performing teams
• Proven solid financial, operational, and strategic business acumen

Preferred Qualifications:

• Registered Pharmacist or PharmD
• PBM, health plan, healthcare, or employer-market experience
• Experience leading large-scale transformation, growth, or retention initiatives
• Knowledge of healthcare benefits, pharmacy management, and consulting environments

Success Measures:

• Client retention and renewal performance
• Revenue growth and profitability
• Client satisfaction and executive relationship strength
• Team engagement and talent development
• Operational efficiency and service quality
• Strategic initiative execution
• Consultant and market influence

Leadership Competencies:

• Executive Presence
• Strategic Thinking
• Client Centricity
• Business Acumen
• Talent Development
• Change Leadership
• Collaboration & Influence
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Results Orientation
• Decision Making Under Complexity

*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 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.