Associate Director - Pharmacy Contract Strategy & Negotiation

About the Organization

Optum is a globally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing health outcomes by integrating advanced technology with healthcare. The team focuses on connecting individuals with essential care, pharmacy benefits, data, and resources to promote better health. The company fosters a diverse and inclusive culture, supports professional growth, and offers comprehensive benefits. Employees based in the Republic of Ireland enjoy a hybrid working model, splitting their time between the Dublin office and remote work from home.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with payers to support pharmacy-related initiatives.
• Interpret intricate contract language to evaluate financial, operational, and legal impacts of changes requested by payers or pharmacies.
• Analyze contract proposals to assess their effects on costs and the performance of payers and pharmacies.
• Oversee financial performance of providers to identify improvement opportunities and enhance payer relationships.
• Maintain awareness of market competitors’ landscape, including rates, market share, products, and networks.
• Lead and be accountable for performance outcomes across multiple management levels and senior leaders.
• Coordinate with internal teams like finance, legal, and operations to align strategies and ensure smooth execution.
• Mentor and guide junior team members responsible for contract execution and relationship management.
• Engage extensively with senior leadership internally and externally to resolve complex business challenges affecting key functions.
• Drive initiatives that impact financial outcomes through skilled negotiation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience within the healthcare sector.
• Extensive proven leadership experience in healthcare contracting environments such as medical, pharmacy, pharmaceutical, or health insurance organizations with accountability for business outcomes and complex stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with executive leadership and external stakeholders effectively.
• Strong understanding of financial concepts and capacity to communicate detailed financial data clearly.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Background or qualifications in finance or analytics.
• Experience in pharmacy benefit management or pharmaceutical contracting.
• Proven track record in managing high-stakes, large-scale negotiations.
• Expertise in creating and delivering presentations, including verbal communication and PowerPoint skills.

Additional Information

Applicants must be eligible to work in Ireland without restrictions and able to provide proof upon request. UnitedHealth Group is strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all qualified individuals receive fair consideration regardless of gender, civil or family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, or related protected characteristics. The company is also a drug-free workplace, committed to environmental responsibility and health equity.