Director, Pharma Business Development - 3PL and Specialty Distribution

Optum 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. Optum is seeking a Director, Pharma Business Development based in Etna, Ohio (Columbus market). This role offers a hybrid work arrangement and requires travel to client sites, industry conferences, and manufacturer meetings as needed. This role is a senior individual contributor specifically responsible for driving new manufacturer client acquisition and revenue growth through strategic business development activities for Optum's specialty distribution and third-party logistics (3PL) services. This role blends strategic sales leadership with operational expertise in both pharmaceutical and 3PL domains, requiring a mix of market insight, regulatory knowledge, and relationship building skills to drive growth in a highly regulated, high value industry. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of the Pharma 3PL landscape, along with demonstrated success in U.S. pharmaceutical commercialization, and strategic alliance management. Success will require solid commercial acumen, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to translate strategy into measurable revenue growth. This role will play a key role in building and scaling a business that sets a new standard for distribution. If you are located in Ohio, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges.

Market & Client Development - Develop and execute market development strategies aligned with Optum Specialty Distribution and 3PL growth objectives Identify emerging pharmaceutical and biotech opportunities, prioritize target segments, and establish market engagement plans that expand manufacturer partnerships and revenue growth Sales Strategy & Execution - Lead complex commercial negotiations, including pricing strategy, contractual terms, service scope development, and executive stakeholder alignment through contract execution Solution Design - Leverage expertise in pharmaceutical storage, handling, and compliance to create tailored proposals highlighting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance Relationship Building - Build and maintain executive-level relationships with senior leaders across commercial, market access, trade, supply chain, operations, and business development functions within pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations Cross Functional Collaboration - Work with operations, industry relations, and account management teams to refine offerings, ensure smooth onboarding, and ongoing management of client agreements Commercial Leadership - Develop account strategies for priority manufacturer opportunities to build and manage a robust multi-million-dollar sales pipeline Maintain accurate forecasting to achieve and exceed annual revenue growth objectives Enterprise Influence - Own the commercial strategy and execution for complex opportunities, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across operations, legal, finance, and compliance to develop solutions, structure agreements, negotiate contracts, and deliver commercially viable outcomes 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.

8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical distribution, manufacturer services, specialty pharmacy, healthcare supply