Director Communications, Optum Health East Region – Remote

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. 

 

The Director of Communications leverages communications expertise, business acumen and interpersonal skills to design and deliver communication plans, strategies and messaging for Optum Health’s East Region Care Delivery organization. This position will develop and implement comprehensive external communications plans that support business objectives and create positive sentiment in the marketplace. This position will support key projects to advance OH business priorities through proactive communications campaigns that include value-based care, product innovation, thought leadership, and message platform/narrative development. This position is part of the OH communications team and reports to the Senior Director of Optum Health East Region.

 

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. 
 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Create proactive, multi-channel communications strategies for the Optum Health East Region.
• Develop and manage relationships and effectively interact with a range of stakeholders, including senior executives, to create and execute proactive public relations plans.
• Manage PR agencies and work closely with them to ensure message consistency across all communications channels. 
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to ensure messaging consistency and alignment. 
• Develop local media relationships and pitch stories to them.
• Serve as a media spokesperson.
• Collaborate across communications and the business to story mine patient/member stories to supplement the proactive storytelling strategy.
• Support in the execution of a business-wide proactive media strategy, utilizing a variety of traditional and innovative media tactics, including paid, earned, social and owned. 
• Conduct media training, establish a cohort of media-trained spokespersons, and prep and staff media interviews 
• Support issues and crises management in partnership with internal communications.
• Partner with the vice president of communications for Optum Health on enterprise-wide narratives and projects, including the enterprise position on value-based care, investor conference, and earnings. 
• Build relationships with key stakeholders as needed and support internal peers’ relationships with their respective stakeholders.
• Embody and promote UHG corporate values and ethics and demonstrate exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail.

 

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: 

• 8+ years of communications experience within a matrixed organization
• 7+ years of experience with the full suite of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• 5+ years of professional writing and editing experience
• External communications experience
• Experience working and consulting with senior executives
• Experience working with and managing agency support
• Integrated communications experience 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Agency communications experience
• Social media experience (i.e. developing blogs, social media campaigns, podcasts, etc.)
• Preference for candidate to be based in New York or Boston 

 

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

 

The salary range for this role is $124,500 to $239,400 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.   

 

 

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.