Associate Director, Healthcare Economics (Remote)

Requisition Number: 2375288
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 Associate Healthcare Economics Director (Network Pricing & Analytics) is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving provider reimbursement analytics, network pricing strategy, financial forecasting, and healthcare cost management initiatives across the organization. This leader will oversee large-scale analytical programs and work closely with executive leadership, provider contracting, clinical operations, finance, actuarial, and technology teams to support data-driven decision making.
This position plays a critical role in supporting California market operations, including complex provider reimbursement strategies, IPA network models, healthcare economics forecasting, and provider contract analytics. The ideal candidate thrives in a highly matrixed environment and brings deep expertise in managed care analytics, provider reimbursement, and healthcare financial modeling.
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:
Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead enterprise network pricing and reimbursement analytics strategies aligned with organizational and financial objectives
• Partner with executive leadership to establish provider reimbursement strategies, pricing targets, and healthcare cost management initiatives
• Drive strategic decision making through advanced analytics, market intelligence, and financial performance reporting
• Provide thought leadership regarding provider market dynamics, reimbursement benchmarks, and network optimization opportunities

Provider Reimbursement & Financial Analytics

• Oversee provider reimbursement methodologies, pricing models, contract analytics, and financial forecasting activities
• Lead financial impact assessments supporting provider negotiations and network contracting initiatives
• Analyze reimbursement trends and convert findings into actionable forecasting insights for business leaders
• Work closely with Optum Health Network, provider contracting teams, and clinical partners to monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for improved outcomes

Network & Healthcare Economics

• Support California market provider network strategies, including IPA and value-based care arrangements
• Advise market leaders on reimbursement structures, network performance, and provider relationship strategies
• Evaluate healthcare cost trends and develop recommendations that balance affordability, provider engagement, and network growth
• Collaborate with risk strategy, growth, and finance teams to support enterprise healthcare economics initiatives

Analytics & Data Transformation

• Lead teams responsible for healthcare data management, coding, dashboard development, and advanced reporting solutions
• Oversee modernization efforts related to business intelligence, reporting automation, and analytical infrastructure
• Partner with technology teams during ongoing claims and data platform migrations resulting from multiple organizational acquisitions
• Ensure analytical tools and data assets are scalable, accurate, and aligned with business needs

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing healthcare economics and analytics professionals
• Foster collaboration across a broad network of internal stakeholders, including finance, accounting, clinical leadership, provider contracting, and executive teams
• Create a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation

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 in finance, Economics, Healthcare Administration, Data Analytics, Business, Statistics, or related field
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing analytical, pricing, or healthcare finance teams
• Experience leading enterprise analytical initiatives, reporting modernization, or automation programs
• Deep expertise in healthcare reimbursement methodologies, provider contracting, claims analytics, and network pricing strategies
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, business intelligence tools, financial modeling, and large-scale healthcare data environments
• Demonstrated ability to influence strategic business decisions and executive-level initiatives
• Demonstrated solid leadership, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale initiatives in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of post-high school education or equivalent
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing healthcare analytics, pricing, reimbursement, or healthcare finance teams
• 5+ years of experience in managed care analytics
• 5+ years of experience supporting provider reimbursement strategy, network pricing, or provider contract analytics
• Experience developing financial models and working with large-scale healthcare datasets
• Demonstrated experience influencing executive-level business decisions
• Deep understanding of healthcare reimbursement methodologies, provider contracting, claims analytics, and network pricing models
• Advanced proficiency with SQL and business intelligence/reporting tools
• Demonstrated solid communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

*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 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.