Director, Payment Network Partnerships – Optum Financial – 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. 

Combine Fintech and Healthcare, two of the fastest-growing fields on the planet, with a culture of performance, collaboration, and opportunity and this is what you get – leading edge technology that is improving the lives of millions. Here, innovation is not about another gadget; it is about providing advanced, state-of-the-art payment solutions to help those we serve be healthier, happier, and more productive.

Careers at UnitedHealth Group®, offer a unique and exciting opportunity to create large-impact, market-leading payments, and financial technology innovations, while delivering on the mission of improving the health and wellbeing of tens of millions of Americans. 

Our industry-leading S3® payments platform is integrated at 66,000+ retail locations and supports some of the largest benefits and rewards programs in the world by offering value to consumers and directing the spending of funds to approved health-enhancing products and services. This advanced technology has led to Optum’s rapid ascent to market leadership in healthcare benefits and has broader applicability across numerous other industries.

Working within a FinTech powerhouse, Optum team members enjoy a culture of performance and collaboration, along with the resources and technology of a Fortune 5 company that comes with being a part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses. Our teams work in close partnership with the largest and most forward-thinking companies in America including Aetna, Anthem, CVS, General Mills, Kroger, UnitedHealthcare, Walmart, Walgreens and more. 

Optum Financial is seeking a Head of Strategic Partnerships to lead and optimize relationships with key partners in the payments ecosystem, including payment networks, partner banks, payment processors, bill pay providers, and others. This individual will play a critical role in powering the largest healthcare-focused payments network.

In this role, the leader will define and execute the strategy for network partnerships across all Optum Financial businesses (payer, employer, and commercial) to ensure alignment with enterprise objectives and drive financial optimization. As the architect of the payments network strategy, this leader will guide decisions on which partners to engage, negotiate optimal terms, and oversee high-value relationships that drive business growth and innovation.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Define and execute Optum Financials’ network partnerships strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals across payer, employer, and commercial segments
• Oversee major partnerships with payment networks, partner banks, payment processors, and bill pay providers, collaborating with operations teams on day-to-day management
• Lead negotiations and deal structuring in partnership with legal and finance teams to secure optimal terms and ensure alignment with financial and strategic objectives
• Develop a framework for evaluating and selecting partners, ensuring the right solutions, pricing, and capabilities are leveraged for each initiative
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, technology, and business leaders to ensure partnerships drive innovation, scalability, and growth
• Engage with executive leadership and industry stakeholders to provide updates, influence joint initiatives, and identify new partnership or M&A opportunities
• Establish governance and performance management by leading quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with key partners and ensuring continuous optimization of partnerships

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:

• 15+ years of experience in payments, financial services, or fintech, with deep expertise in partner strategy, network relationships, and commercial negotiations; preferably with Visa and Mastercard
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across operations, product, legal, and finance to execute strategic partnerships
• Experience negotiating partnership agreements
• Solid background in contract negotiation and deal structuring, with the ability to work closely with legal and finance teams
• Proven track record of managing executive-level partnerships, particularly with payment networks, sponsor banks, and financial institutions
• Demonstrated ability to drive both financial and strategic value through partnerships, while optimizing operational execution
• Demonstrated exceptional executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of the sales process and trusted advisor for account team
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit natural leadership qualities and business maturity
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit prior and current technical expertise in web technology and the ability to learn new technology
• Demonstrated solid attention to detail, time management skills and the ability to multitask in a fast paced, demanding environment
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, mentor, teach, and explain concepts at multiple levels with the capability to extract the business value related to the proposed solutions
• Demonstrated solid written and verbal communication skills with the ability to write error-free, professional proposals and executive summaries for retail partners
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed business deadlines established
• Demonstrated solid presentation and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain connections
• Demonstrated solid business acumen, including solid problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and self-initiative

*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.