Associate Director, Digital Paid Media

Job ID: 102918279264Posted: 2026-11-06Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United StatesSalary: $112,700 - $193,200/yearJob Area: Marketing and AdvertisingCompany: UnitedHealth GroupAt UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and optimized. Ready to make a difference? Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.The Associate Director of Digital Paid Media is responsible for leading planning, processes, performance analysis, and opportunity identification across UnitedHealthcare's integrated paid digital media programs. This role will translate business and marketing objectives into actionable digital media plans across paid search, paid social, programmatic display, online video, CTV, native, and affiliate marketing.Working closely with the Senior Director of Digital Media, Digital Channel Leads, channel managers, specialists, analytics and measurement teams, and external media partners, the Associate Director will help connect channel strategies, drive consistent planning and operating processes, and find opportunities to improve media performance and efficiency.The ideal candidate combines broad digital media expertise with strong business acumen and analytical thinking and can influence a highly matrixed organization. This individual will be comfortable leading planning processes, evaluating performance and investment across the media portfolio, managing complex initiatives, and communicating recommendations to marketing and business leaders.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 integrated paid digital media planning process across paid search, paid social, programmatic display, video, CTV, native, and affiliate marketing in alignment with business and marketing objectivesTranslate broader marketing and paid media strategies into actionable plans, investment approaches, testing priorities, measurement frameworks, and optimization opportunitiesPartner with Digital Channel Leads and paid media channel leads to align channel plans, priorities, performance, and opportunities. Collaborating with internal stakeholders, agencies, platforms, publishers, and technology partners as neededEvaluate performance across channels and develop recommendations to improve media effectiveness, efficiency, consumer acquisition, engagement, and return on media investmentPartner with analytics, measurement, data, and technology teams to advance campaign measurement, attribution, incrementality and audience strategyLead budget and forecasting processes across paid media, including investment planning, pacing, and financial management, working with channel leads to monitor investment against established goals and recommend adjustments as neededIdentify opportunities to improve digital media performance and capabilities through channel learnings, innovative technologies, data sources, automation, AI-enabled solutions, and industry best practicesDevelop and improve paid media processes, governance, documentation, and quality controls to support consistent and scalable media planning and executionSynthesize and present paid media performance, insights, opportunities, risks, and recommendations to the Senior Director of Digital Media, marketing leaders, and cross-functional stakeholdersStay current on changes across the digital advertising ecosystem, including media platforms, consumer behavior, privacy, measurement, data, technology, brand safety, and regulatory developments, and assess their impact on paid media programsYou'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:7+ years of digital media, digital marketing, advertising experienceExperience developing and managing integrated paid media programsDemonstrated experience across multiple digital paid media channels, including paid search, paid social, programmatic display, online video, CTV, and/or affiliate marketingExperience developing integrated digital media strategies and plans that connect business objectives, audiences, channels, investment, measurement, and optimizationSolid understanding of performance media strategy and the digital advertising ecosystem, including brand, acquisition, engagement, conversion, media buying platforms, audience/data platforms, ad serving, brand safety, verification, and privacy considerationsDemonstrated experience analyzing media and marketing performance data and applying measurement, attribution, testing, and optimization approaches to develop business and investment recommendationsExperience managing digital media budgets, forecasting, pacing, and investment planning across multiple channelsAdvanced analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, including advanced proficiency with Excel and PowerPointPreferred Qualifications:Experience within healthcare, financial services, insurance, or another highly regulated industryExperience working within an in-house digital media organization and managing relationships with agencies, platforms, publishers, affiliates, technology providers, and other external media partnersExperience with digital advertising, data, and measurement technologies such as DSPs, Campaign Manager, Adobe Analytics, LiveRamp, DoubleVerify, FreshPaint, Invoca, DOMO, Tableau, or similar platformsExperience with advanced measurement approaches, including incrementality, attribution, media mix modeling, experimentation, and full-funnel measurement, as well as the use of first-party data and audience strategies in digital mediaExperience using automation and AI-enabled tools to improve digital media planning, activation, optimization, measurement, analysis, or operational efficiencyDemonstrated ability to lead complex processes and initiatives through collaboration and influence within a highly matrixed organizationEffective communication and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex digital media concepts and performance data into clear recommendations for business and marketing leaders*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter PolicyPay 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 to $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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.