Director, Advisory Services - Payer Strategy and Management Consulting - Remote

Job ID: 99356735248Posted: 2026-08-18Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United StatesSalary: $134,600 - $230,800/yearJob Area: OptumInsight ConsultingCompany: UnitedHealth GroupOptum Insight is improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, and ultimately consumers. Our deep expertise in the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management, quality and revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.The Director, Advisory Services has overall responsibility and authority across high-complexity, multi-workstream strategy and management consulting engagements serving payer clients and oversees engagement managers and project teams. The Director has overall responsibility to own, coordinate, and harmonize the overall project approach and final deliverable quality - ensuring cohesive analysis, evaluation, and compelling recommendations are aligned to the client's unique business situation and needs. The Director must possess relevant strategy, management consulting, and healthcare industry and payer knowledge to serve as a trusted advisor to C-suite payer client executives. The Director must be able to help clients identify strategic priorities, improve financial and market performance, rationalize services, improve customer experiences, and address their specific business challenges. The Director serves as a key point of contact with the seniormost clients with client delivery and is expected to be a driving force with new lead generation and end-to-end business development efforts with new and existing payer client executives. The Director plays a critical role in team member mentorship and professional development, practice development, and strategic thought leadership.You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.Primary Responsibilities:Overall project lead across high-complexity, multi-workstream strategy and transformation focused consulting engagements for payer clientsBuild consensus among senior client stakeholders who play a critical role in the client's ability to successfully implement the identified solutionsOversees the day-to-day engagement manager(s) of projects and sets direction for development of key deliverablesServe as a subject matter expert in one or more areas (e.g., health plan operations, enterprise strategy, organizational redesign and transformation, AI enablement, GTM approaches, product strategy, administrative cost management, and life sciences)Provide subject matter expertise to other Optum Advisory and Optum/UnitedHealth Group Company business units as it relates to strategy development and addressing client issuesKey point of contact for the most senior project client executive and helps establish optimal communication cadence with C-Suite executivesCritical role in developing project team manager and direct reports to expand their core consulting skillsAccountable for budget. Focuses on project economics and directs team to follow practices needed to ensure both quality and profitability including close monitoring of actual vs. expected team utilizationAccountable for meeting delivery timelinesCommunicate effectively and accurately in writing and verbally to prospects, clients, and other staffDemonstrate strong client relationship management skills, ability to handle challenging interpersonal situations, and executive presenceDrive and contribute to end-to-end business development efforts - both extensions of existing work as well as new business. Lead writing of proposals to prospect for additional work either with existing clients or greenfield ones. Create and generate new leads.Experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, generative AI platforms, AI-driven analytics) as part of day-to-day delivery and team workflow; model AI-first behaviors for the broader practiceManage and grow a book of business, cultivating long-term relationships with senior payer client buyers to drive sustained sales and revenue growthContribute to internal practice initiatives including shaping product / offering development and strategic thought leadership beyond client project workYou'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:5+ years of experience in management consulting (McKinsey-BCG-Bain / Big 4 / Boutique)4+ years of experience in strategy and/or healthcare consulting4+ years of experience with project management, developing and presenting deliverables to C-suite executives4+ years of experience leading strategy work and/or strategic initiatives2+ years of experience building, developing, and managing high-performing strategy consulting teams leveraging AI; ability to coach managers and senior consultants to create delivery leverage2+ years of business development experience and success selling in the payer and life sciences commercial (for-profit and non-profit) market generating at least $1M+ annually in new salesDemonstrated familiarity with variety of problem-solving approachesProficiency in MS Office Suite - Word, PowerPoint, ExcelDemonstrated proficiency in AI-enabled productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, AI-driven analytics platforms) to drive day-to-day delivery and team workflowsDemonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaborate effectively in team settingsDemonstrated ability to drill down to the root cause of issues and be creative in problem solvingProven solid written and verbal communication skillsWilling or ability to travel domestically, up to 50% when requiredPreferred Qualifications:10+ years of professional experience preferably in healthcareExperience working in and successfully navigating a matrixed environmentExperience or subject matter expertise in: Health plan operations, organizational redesign and transformation, administrative cost management, growth and market entry strategy, AI enablement, and/or life sciencesExperience successfully driving end-to-end sales and business development life cycle in a consulting environment (e.g., lead generation, proposal development, RFP response)Hands-on experience designing or deploying agentic AI tools or automation solutions within a consulting or operational contextBackground in healthcare consulting and ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams within a consulting project environmentDemonstrated active network of senior buyer relationships within U.S. health plans (inclusive of any of the following: national, regional, mission-driven non-profit, or for-profit)*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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.