Senior Vice President, OptumRx Strategy - Market Intelligence & Strategic Planning

Role Scope (What Strategy Owns) Market Assessment & Foresight (market forces, competitors, regulatory shifts, customer needs, trends) Enterprise Strategic Planning (LRP, ABP, strategic investment themes) Opportunity Identification & Prioritization (whitespace, adjacencies, growth vectors; partnership/M&A pipeline support) External Thought Leadership for executives (market/regulatory/competitor synthesis to prepare for opportunity and risk) Cross-functional Alignment across Product, Capabilities, Finance, Program Management, and COE/Enablement to ensure strategy is reflected in investment and execution mechanisms Success Profile The successful leader is externally oriented and market-curious, with the ability to convert complex competitive and regulatory signals into clear strategic choices. They are confident operating with ambiguity, influencing across a matrix, and ensuring enterprise planning and prioritization reflect market reality while enabling leaders to move faster with more conviction. Primary Responsibilities 1) External Market Intelligence & Competitive Strategy (Primary Focus) Establish a market intelligence capability that continuously monitors competitors, client expectations, payer/employer dynamics, pharmacy services trends, and regulatory signals to inform strategic choices and risk posture Deliver clear, executive-ready perspectives on what is changing externally, what it means for Optum Rx, and where leadership should act (invest / accelerate / partner / divest / stop) Own Optum Rx's enterprise-level competitive positioning narratives and strategic implications for portfolio direction 2) Enterprise Strategic Planning (LRP / ABP / Investment Themes) Lead development of Optum Rx enterprise strategy and translate it into planning cycles including Long Range Planning (LRP) and Annual Business Planning (ABP), ensuring tight linkage between external realities and internal commitments Define strategic investment themes and choices that guide prioritization discussions across the enterprise 3) Opportunity Identification, New Growth Vectors, and Business Incubation Identify and prioritize whitespace opportunities, adjacencies, and new growth vectors that may translate into future product concepts or capability needs Shape early business cases and strategic framing for high-value opportunities, partnering with Finance and enterprise stakeholders as needed Support evaluation of strategic partnerships and M&A opportunities by coordinating strategic rationale, market context, and executive decision framing 4) Strategic Input to Product & Enterprise Prioritization Partner with Product leaders to inform ideation, prioritization, and roadmap direction based on market intelligence and leadership priorities Ensure strategy is consistently reflected in downstream investment and governance mechanisms through coordination with Product, Capabilities, Finance, Program Management, and COE/Enablement partners 5) Cross-Organizational Alignment & Executive Advisory Serve as an enterprise integrator and neutral strategic "quarterback" for cross-Optum Rx priorities that span multiple lines of business, ensuring decision clarity, alignment, and momentum Influence senior leadership and cross-functional partners with evidence and data Drive ideas through execution by resourcing project appropriately and influencing both directly and indirectly Provide executive advisory support through concise synthesis, decision memos, and strategic options framing tied to market and competitive reality 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 provided development for other roles you may be interested in. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree 15+ years of progressive experience in strategy, market intelligence, business planning, consulting, or related leadership roles (healthcare/pharmacy preferred) Demonstrated ability to build and apply external market insights (competitive positioning, market trends, customer needs, regulatory environment) to drive enterprise decisions Solid executive communication skills (written/verbal), including facilitation and senior stakeholder influence Superior analytical and strategic problem-solving capability, including experience translating complex inputs into clear executive guidance Comfort operating in highly matrixed environments; proven ability to lead without authority and drive cross-functional alignment Deep familiarity with PBM / pharmacy services market dynamics and healthcare value chain economics Preferred Qualifications Advanced degree (MBA, MHA, or similar) Experience supporting partnership and M&A strategy, including market diligence framing and executive decision materials Healthcare/Pharmacy industry experience Hybrid in MN/DC: This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week. Remote work freedom is available from anywhere within the U.S. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. Salary range: $225,000 to $375,000 annually based on full-time employment. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401(k) contribution (subject to eligibility). All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements. UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. 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. UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr UnitedHealth Group