Director, Principal Consultant, Value and Evidence Solutions, HEOR – 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 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.

At Optum Life Sciences, we connect data, insights, and the broader healthcare ecosystem to drive innovation and measurable impact. Our Value and Evidence Solutions (VES) team empowers life sciences organizations to generate trusted, actionable evidence that demonstrates the real-world value of therapies and interventions. With a client base that includes most of the world’s top 20 biopharmaceutical companies, VES is recognized globally for excellence in consulting, econometrics, and outcomes research. We offer access to some of the largest secondary data assets available and leverage the full resources of our parent company to deliver unique research opportunities.

We are searching for a Principal Consultant, HEOR (Health Economics and Outcomes Research) to join our VES team.  This role is ideal for a strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset—someone who thrives on innovation, leads with confidence, and builds strong relationships. You will guide clients through evidence generation strategy and lead research initiatives from protocol development to dissemination. You’ll also play a key role in mentoring teams, shaping new offerings, and driving business growth.

Job Components:

• Provide and promote scientific thought leadership across the VES organization
• Support project teams in research design and innovation across therapeutic areas
• Support key clients in using Optum data for research through consultation on research strategy, study design, analysis and dissemination

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 designated area of Optum’s VES HEOR and consulting business 
• Oversee execution of retrospective database, survey, chart abstraction, and other primary data collection research studies within your area of responsibility
• Advance dissemination of results via manuscript, reports, and conference presentations 
• Manage client relationships for a key set of clients (2-4)
• Conduct business development activities (including, but not limited to, development of proposals and face-to-face client engagement) to support pharmaceutical and device manufacturer client needs 
• Advise clients on strategy and evidence generation planning
• Grow VES business through client relationships, new service offerings, and a reputation of consistently superior customer service and quality
• Grow VES capabilities by working collaboratively across Life Sciences and Optum to develop and deliver new solutions
• Mentor and train new research staff as needed
• Participate in leadership of VES operations
• Present in public forums on key topics of expertise in the VES space

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 the pharmaceutical industry, health economics or health outcomes research OR minimum 10+ years of data driven research experience in another field
• 10+ years of experience in all aspects of research studies, including design development, project management and completion 
• Experience with secondary data assets for research: administrative claims databases or electronic medical record data
• Experience in business development (client facing meetings, responding to RFPs, presenting proposals, developing budgets, etc.)
• Experience setting therapeutic area or disease area evidence generation strategies. 
• Experience authoring research protocols or analysis plans and working with a technical team to operationalize
• Solid knowledge of real-world observational study design and advanced statistical methods
• Record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations in HEOR or related fields
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Solid interpersonal savvy and the ability to build relationships both internally and with external customers 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience navigating complex client dynamics and driving impact
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Solid attention to detail and commitment to high-quality research
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for solving complex challenges
• Skilled communicator with the ability to engage diverse audiences

Travel Requirements:

• 4-5 trips to customers and/or conferences annually – domestically within the United States

*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 $132,200 to $226,600 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.