Sr Communications Specialist (External Channels - Optum Insight) - Remote

Job ID: 102568780608Posted: 2026-10-28Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United StatesSalary: $72,800 - $130,000/yearJob Area: CommunicationsCompany: UnitedHealth GroupOptum 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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. This role will lead external channel strategy and execution for Optum Insight, helping ensure its priorities, expertise and stories reach the right audiences and strengthen reputation.The role will manage how Optum Insight activates content across external owned channels, including the Optum newsroom and social media. It will also bring an external audience lens into communications planning by monitoring conversations, trends, sentiment and channel performance and translating those signals into recommendations for content and channel strategy.The person in this role will partner closely with Optum Insight communications teams, storytelling, media and enterprise channel teams to connect business priorities with external audiences and opportunities.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:External channel strategy and activationLead external channel strategy and execution for Optum Insight across the Optum newsroom, social media and other relevant owned digital channelsDevelop channel plans that translate Optum Insight communications priorities into effective external activationRecommend the right channels, formats, timing and distribution approach for priority stories, campaigns and communicationsManage publishing, distribution and amplification of Optum Insight content across external channelsOptimize content for audience engagement, discoverability and channel performanceCoordinate with enterprise channel teams to ensure Optum Insight priorities are effectively represented across broader Optum channelsAudience and reputation insightMonitor external conversations, trends, audience behavior and sentiment relevant to Optum Insight, its businesses and reputationIdentify emerging opportunities, issues and areas of noise across external channelsTranslate external signals and channel insights into actionable recommendations for communications teamsPartner with communications and media teams on strategies to address reputation challenges, strengthen understanding and reinforce priority narrativesUse channel and content performance data to recommend what Optum Insight should do more of, less of or differentlyContent and channel partnershipPartner with storytelling and editorial teams to ensure content is designed for external audiences and the channels where it will appearBring audience and channel insights into planning early so external activation is considered as communications strategies and stories are developedPartner with media teams to align owned and earned communications opportunitiesSupport coordinated activation of priority campaigns, thought leadership, executive and subject-matter-expert contentIdentify opportunities to extend the life and reach of strong Optum Insight content across channelsOptimization and measurementTrack channel and content performance and translate results into clear recommendationsTest formats, approaches and distribution strategies to continuously improve audience reach and engagementStay current on changes in social platforms, audience behavior, digital discovery and emerging technologies, including AIWhat Success Looks Like:Optum Insight priorities and expertise consistently reach relevant external audiencesExternal channel decisions are informed by audience behavior, conversations and performance dataCommunications teams have a clearer understanding of what external audiences are seeing, saying and responding toEmerging reputation opportunities and challenges are identified early and translated into actionNewsroom and social activation are coordinated rather than treated as separate distribution activitiesChannel performance continuously improves through insights, testing and optimizationKey Capabilities:Strong understanding of social media, digital publishing and external audience engagementAbility to translate business and communications priorities into channel strategies and activation plansStrong understanding of audience behavior, social conversations and digital content consumptionAbility to interpret data, sentiment and external signals and turn them into practical communications recommendationsStrong editorial judgment and understanding of what makes content effective across different external channelsExperience managing social and digital content in a complex organizationStrong collaboration and stakeholder management skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities and move work from strategy through executionCuriosity about evolving platforms, digital discovery, AI and audience behaviorYou'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:3+ years of experience in communications, paid social media, digital channels, audience engagement or related fieldsExperience developing and executing social or digital channel strategiesExperience managing content publishing and distribution across social and digital platformsExperience using audience, social listening or performance insights to inform communications decisionsExperience working across multiple teams and stakeholdersPreferred Qualifications:Experience in health care, technology, business-to-business communications or another complex industryExperience with social listening, reputation monitoring or audience intelligenceExperience working with newsroom, editorial or thought-leadership contentExperience using emerging technologies to improve communications effectiveness*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.Pay 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 $72,800 - $130,000 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.