Associate Medical Director, Population Health & Quality

Optum CA is seeking an Associate Medical Director to join our team in San Jose, CA. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the way clinicians work and live.

As a member of the Optum Care Delivery team, you'll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

At Optum, you'll have the clinical resources, data and support of a global organization behind you so you can help your patients live healthier lives. Here, you'll work alongside talented peers in a collaborative environment that is guided by diversity and inclusion while driving towards the Quadruple Aim. We believe you deserve an exceptional career, and will empower you to live your best life at work and at home. Experience the fulfillment of advancing the health of your community with the excitement of contributing new practice ideas and initiatives that could help improve care for millions of patients across the country. Because together, we have the power to make health care better for everyone. Join us and discover how rewarding medicine can be while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Associate Medical Director (AMD) is a member of the clinical leadership team who provides leadership to support the development of infrastructure and ongoing performance management on population health and medical management initiatives and programs for the San Jose region. They will also be responsible for maintaining and establishing a network of high-quality providers within the market. In partnership with operational leadership, they will develop and ensure ongoing relevance of clinician compensation structure. The AMD will support the hiring and performance management of employed clinicians and oversee community physician leaders.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Schedule: Full-time, 40 weekly hours onsite in San Jose. Business hours M-F 8am-5pm
• Functions in a fully non-clinical, administrative capacity with no direct patient care responsibilities
• Oversees both physician leaders and clinicians across both IPA (Independent Physician Associate) and Employed/Group sites
• Drives regional performance against value-based care metrics, including Medicare Risk Adjustment (HCC coding), CMS STARs, HEDIS quality measures, utilization management, inpatient metrics, and patient satisfaction
• Supports cost-efficiency strategies including inpatient management, high-risk member management, and optimal site-of-service selection for specialists
• Works with local leadership to address practice variations, manage clinical grievances, conduct peer reviews, and implement immediate corrective action plans for quality-of-care issues
• Meets in-person with clinical groups and individual clinicians to deliver performance data, share actionable insights, and drive regional improvement
• Acts as the primary liaison for communication with physicians, hospitals, and other providers in the community to support network alignment
• Engages actively in regional committees including quality improvement, peer review, specialty networks, contracting, and credentialing
• Participates in recruitment efforts for employed physicians and specialty services to ensure the region is adequately staffed to serve its membership
• Partners closely with an operations dyad collaborator to execute strategic goals set by senior leadership, focusing on access, affordability, and clinical quality

Compensation & Benefits Highlights:

• Competitive starting salary and bonus options
• 401k with match, Executive Savings Plan, and UHG Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, Vision, & Dental
• Life insurance
• CME time and dollars
• Continued professional growth & leadership opportunities

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 provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• MD or DO degree with an active, unrestricted license in CA
• Current board certification in IM/FM
• 5+ years of experience in an outpatient clinic setting
• Solid willingness and capability to learn and execute value-based care strategies, including Quality/HEDIS metrics, Utilization Management, and complex IPA/Group practice structures
• Proven solid written and oral communication skills
• Proven leadership qualities: collaborative, empowering others
• Commute to local sites within San Jose/Santa Clara County and occasionally to other regional meetings within California

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in a leadership role within a managed care or IPA environment.
• Proven presentations skills

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 $248,500 to $373,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.'

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.