Associate Director, Affordability Portfolio & Governance

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At UnitedHealthcare, we are transforming how affordability opportunities move from idea to implementation. We are seeking a highly motivated leader to drive complex affordability initiatives from concept through governance, deployment, and value realization. This role is ideal for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces accountability, and is energized by solving complex business problems. You will partner across Clinical, Non-Clinical, Operations, Finance, Legal, Technology, Analytics, and Executive Leadership teams to ensure affordability opportunities are evaluated, governed, deployed, and measured effectively. The role serves as an end-to-end concept owner, helping move initiatives through the Affordability governance process while maintaining exceptional quality, stakeholder alignment, and execution discipline. Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin or Letterkenny office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.

Portfolio Leadership Own affordability concepts from intake through deployment and value realization Maintain accountability for concept progression, stakeholder alignment, governance readiness, implementation planning, and realization of expected outcomes Manage multiple initiatives simultaneously while balancing competing priorities and deadlines Governance & Execution Lead concepts through Affordability governance gates from ideation through to Implementation and value realization Ensure concepts meet governance standards, readiness criteria, and quality expectations prior to progression Prepare and deliver executive-ready governance materials, business recommendations, and decision support documentation Cross-Functional Leadership Partner closely with Clinical, Non-Clinical, Legal, Finance, Technology, Network, Operations, Communications, and Analytics teams Identify risks, dependencies, stakeholder concerns, and implementation barriers early and proactively drive resolution Facilitate alignment across a highly matrixed organization Operational Excellence Track portfolio health, risks, actions, dependencies, decisions, and governance outcomes Ensure approved concepts successfully progress to deployment and measurable value realization Support continuous improvement of affordability operating models, governance processes, and portfolio management practices You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience Proven solid experience in healthcare, managed care, affordability, reimbursement policy, healthcare operations, payment integrity, consulting, program management, or related business environments Proven solid experience leading cross-functional programs, portfolios, strategic initiatives, or business process transformations Demonstrated success managing work across multiple stakeholder groups within highly matrixed environments Proven experience developing executive-level presentations, governance materials, and business recommendations Proven