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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start **Caring. Connecting. Growing together.** Optum Insight strives to be the nation's largest enabler of value-based performance, helping risk-bearing entities (payers, at-risk providers, ACOs, aggregators, and health systems) achieve outcomes across population health, VBC performance, affordability, quality optimization, and risk adjustment performance with its platform of technology, expertise, and managed services and partnering around outcomes-focused financial arrangements. The Sr. Director, Value Based Contracting will be responsible for driving the growth of Optum Insight’s covered lives under management contracting on behalf of a network of participating providers. The Sr. Director will define the contracting strategy, initiate negotiations with payers, and ensure contract terms position the organization for successful financial performance, and over time build out a team of contractors to support these functions. The ideal candidate will have significant experience negotiating value-based contracts with both national and regional payers in multiple markets and have exemplary negotiating skills. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. **Primary Responsibilities:** + Lead the strategic direction and vision for the value-based care contracting function, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry trends + Develop and implement strategies to optimize payer contracts, monitor performance, and deliver measurable value + Build and develop a team of high-performing business development professionals to execute the value-based contracting strategy + Serve as the primary contact for high-stakes negotiations, ensuring favorable terms and outcomes for both the organization and its partners. + Establish and maintain solid relationships with payer representatives, resolving contract-related issues and fostering collaboration + Evaluate contract proposals for financial viability, operational feasibility, and strategic alignment. + Guide the creation and tracking of quality metrics, KPIs, and process improvements to enhance contract performance + Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather insights, align contract terms, and address operational challenges + Provide expert knowledge of managed care and value-based care innovations to inform decision-making and strategy development 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:** + 10+ years of experience in managed care network development, managed care, provider relations, or contracting management + 7+ years of experience serving as the primary contact for high-stakes negotiations, ensuring favorable terms and outcomes for both the organization and its partners + 7+ years of experience establishing and maintaining solid relationships with payer representatives, resolving contract-related issues, and fostering collaboration + 7+ years of experience evaluating contract proposals for financial viability, operational feasibility, and strategic alignment + 7+ years of experience providing expert knowledge of managed care and value-based care innovations to inform decision-making and strategy development + 5+ years of experience guiding the creation and tracking of quality metrics, KPIs, and process improvements to enhance contract performance + 5+ years of experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather insights, align contract terms, and address operational challenges + 3+ years of experience building and developing a team of high-performing business development professionals to execute the value-based contracting strategy + Ability to travel up to 25% **Preferred Qualifications:** + Proven executive leadership experience with expertise in value-based care contracting and payer negotiations + Proven exceptional communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results + Proven solid analytical skills with a track record of developing and implementing process improvements and strategic initiatives + Demonstrated deeep understanding of budget management, resource allocation, and managed care principles *All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy. The salary range for this role is $150,200 to $288,500 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. 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._ _Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law._ _UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment._