Associate Director Finance - Remote

Requisition Number: 2393632
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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Optum Care is seeking an Associate Director of Finance to lead the Optum Care West Region Shared Services SG&A finance team. This role will provide financial leadership for shared services costs managed on behalf of the Total West Region, with responsibility for forecasting, annual planning, month-end reporting, financial analysis, chargeback management, cost allocation, department transfers, workforce planning, and executive-level financial support.
This leader will directly manage two FP&A managers and will serve as the primary finance partner for West Region leadership, sub-region finance teams, accounting, and national finance organizations. A significant focus of the role will be understanding national and enterprise chargebacks, challenging cost and allocation assumptions, identifying savings opportunities, and driving accountability for cost reductions.
The role requires solid technical FP&A capabilities, people leadership, executive communication, and the ability to operate across a complex, matrixed organization. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading through change, improving financial transparency, establishing scalable processes, and translating complex shared services and chargeback activity into clear business insights and actions.
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:

• Lead the Optum Care West Region Shared Services SG&A finance team, including direct management, coaching, and development of two FP&A managers
• Own forecasting, budgeting, annual planning, month-end reporting, variance analysis, and financial performance management for West Region Shared Services and assigned chargeback cost areas
• Partner with national and enterprise finance teams to understand chargeback methodologies, guidance, cost drivers, service volumes, and forecast changes; challenge assumptions and advocate for appropriate West Region outcomes
• Identify, quantify, and advance chargeback savings and cost reduction opportunities by analyzing trends, service utilization, unit costs, PMPM/PEPM metrics, and other relevant business drivers
• Lead the allocation of West Region Shared Services costs to sub-regions and markets, including governance of allocation methodologies, maintenance of allocation percentages, communication of changes, and validation that costs are fully and appropriately distributed
• Provide Total West Region chargeback reporting, high-level bridges, forecast explanations, and executive insights that clearly explain cost performance, key changes, risks, opportunities, and required actions
• Oversee month-end activities for shared services and chargebacks, including early estimates, actual-to-forecast reviews, issue resolution, accounting coordination, and reconciliation across financial reporting systems
• Lead financial support for department and organizational transfers within the West Region and between West, national, enterprise, and corporate organizations, ensuring accurate financial structures, forecasts, allocations, and stakeholder communication
• Oversee workforce planning, census and headcount reviews, requisition finance approvals, GL string governance, and related financial analysis for supported shared services functions
• Develop, refine, and maintain recurring reporting packages, forecast models, allocation tools, chargeback analyses, and management routines that improve visibility, consistency, accuracy, and accountability
• Drive process improvement, reporting standardization, automation, and simplification opportunities to reduce manual effort and strengthen financial controls
• Serve as a key finance partner to West Region leaders, sub-region FP&A teams, accounting, national finance teams, and cross-functional stakeholders on shared services, chargebacks, allocations, and strategic cost management
• Lead special projects, cost deep dives, business cases, and ad hoc financial analyses tied to broader Total West Region and Optum Care SG&A priorities

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 higher in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, accounting, finance, or related financial leadership roles
• 3+ years of people leadership experience, including coaching, developing, and directing the work of finance professionals
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, month-end reporting, variance analysis, financial modeling, and performance management processes
• Solid understanding of SG&A, shared services, cost allocations, intercompany or intersegment chargebacks, cost center management, and financial governance
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to organize, analyze, reconcile, and summarize large datasets
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex cost structures, identify savings opportunities, challenge financial assumptions, and influence outcomes across a matrixed organization
• Demonstrated solid executive communication skills with the ability to develop clear financial commentary, presentations, and recommendations for senior leaders
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholder needs in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional relationships, influence without direct authority, and drive accountability across regional and national teams
• Demonstrated proactive mindset with a willingness to improve processes, build scalable structures, and take ownership of complex or evolving workstreams

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, CPA, CFA, or other advanced finance, accounting, or business credential
• Experience supporting regional or enterprise shared services, corporate finance, SG&A, operating costs, chargebacks, or allocation-based financial processes
• Experience partnering with national or enterprise functions to manage service costs, develop savings initiatives, and evaluate chargeback or allocation methodologies
• Experience developing recurring leadership reporting packages, forecast models, allocation tools, dashboards, or standardized financial views
• Experience driving process improvement, reporting automation, standardization, or finance transformation initiatives
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and presenting financial results, business drivers, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions
• Healthcare finance, managed care, provider organization, or other large matrixed organization experience
• Knowledge of financial systems and reporting tools such as Essbase, PeopleSoft, Planful, Spotlight, Power BI, and Excel

Work Environment & Culture

• This role will operate within Optum Care and lead financial support for West Region Shared Services SG&A and assigned chargebacks on behalf of the Total West Region
• The team partners across West sub-regions and national finance organizations, creating an opportunity to strengthen cost management, allocation governance, standardization, scalability, and financial transparency
• Success in this role will require leadership, collaboration, curiosity, adaptability, accountability, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset

*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 $112,700 - $193,200 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.