UnitedHealth Group - Vice President, Media Affairs for Policy & Regulatory

The Vice President of Media Affairs for Policy and Regulatory is a high‑visibility leader responsible for protecting and advancing the reputation of a Fortune 3 integrated health care enterprise. The role focuses on navigating the intersection of national policy, insurance regulation and clinical care delivery, architecting the narrative for the company’s most complex legislative and regulatory challenges and serving as the primary voice in Washington for a multi‑billion‑dollar organization.

Hybrid schedule – four in‑office days per week in Minnesota or D.C.

Primary Responsibilities

• Enterprise Strategic Leadership
  • Narrative Architecture : Design and lead a multi‑year media strategy aligned with federal and state policy goals.
  • Integration : Bridge Government Affairs, Legal and Clinical leadership to ensure a unified external posture on issues such as Medicare Advantage, drug pricing and care equity.
• Elite Media & Public Affairs
  • High‑Stakes Spokesperson : Act as the primary on‑record voice for the company on sensitive national policy issues; manage top‑tier inquiries and editorial board briefings.
  • Power Network : Build and maintain relationships with bureau chiefs, senior editors and influential columnists at outlets such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Politico.
  • Political Intelligence : Translate complex legislative language into compelling, plain‑language narratives that shift public and political sentiment.
• Organizational Excellence
  • Team Building : Mentor a high‑performing team of media professionals and agency partners.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience at the highest levels of media relations, public affairs or senior government service (e.g., White House, Cabinet‑level agency or Leadership on the Hill).
• Proven success navigating the complexity of a massive, publicly traded organization or a Tier‑1 global agency.
• Direct experience managing media for a company during a major federal investigation or transformative merger.
• An existing, bipartisan network of contacts within the D.C. press corps and policy think tanks.
• Master Communicator : Ability to distill 1,000‑page regulations into a three‑sentence pitch that lands on the front page.
• Diplomatic Instincts : Exceptional EQ with the ability to influence C‑suite peers and maintain composure in a 24/7 news cycle.
• Crisis Hardened : Track record of successfully mitigating existential brand threats through strategic media placement.

Compensation – Pay is based on several factors including local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications and more. The annual salary range for this role is $200,400 to $343,500, plus a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase, and 401(k) contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

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, 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.