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UnitedHealth Group
Phoenix, Arizona · Remote OK

Associate Director, Behavioral Health Value Creation (Remote)

Behavioral HealthFull-Time

Listed compensation

$73k-$130k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

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.

As an Associate Director, Behavioral Health Value Creation, supporting Optum Behavioral Health Solutions, you will support development, implementation and ongoing management of programs that optimize quality and reduce behavioral health cost through partnership with payer accounts, Optum Behavioral Health Solutions and enterprise stakeholders.

The role improves member experience, reduces unnecessary or ineffective care, and optimizes provider performance and value.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

Overall responsibility to develop a pipeline of initiatives, coordinate execution, manage or provide oversight for ongoing implementation, and measure value in alignment with OBHS strategy to improve benefit expense and clinical quality outcomes

Responsible for creation of project plans, operational processes, and workflows to support program development, successful implementation, and ongoing oversight based on internal business and customer needs

Ensure all BH policies, procedures and processes are optimally configured and integrated into daily practice to maximize value for members and the enterprise

Identify and engage key stakeholders for support and expertise relevant to program success

Collect information, input, data, and subject matter expertise, relevant to customer needs and system capabilities

Collect, analyze, and report on data, metrics, and information to support program development, cost, and outcomes metrics

Create benchmarks and metrics for evaluation of processes and outcomes to determine potential business impact

Analyze program model fidelity and implement strategies to enhance program performance based on experience and outcomes

Partner with growth and solutioning teams to deliver and articulate program goals and benefits, including innovative solutions for new and existing accounts

Develop and maintain trusted matrixed relationships, including national and local teams

Communicate potential impacts and risks associated with implementing proposed solutions to business partners and relevant stakeholders

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

  • 5+ years of experience working within a managed care organization or health insurer
  • 5+ years of experience working with diverse teams, with a proven track record of collaboration for innovative solutions
  • Proven track record of accomplishing work and influencing through others during times of ambiguity
  • Proven exceptional problem solving and critical thinking skills
  • Proven experience leveraging data and insights to drive strategies and solutions
  • Demonstrated track record of cross-functional, system thinking leadership and execution of complex, organization-wide initiatives. Includes driving functional dependencies outside of immediate control to align to shared objectives
  • Experience delivering results with large-scale, cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed organization
  • Experience managing and prioritizing multiple projects to ensure quality and on-time delivery
  • Proven experience meeting/exceeding client expectations

Preferred Qualifications

  • Solid financial acumen
  • Solid data analysis skills
  • Experience with development and/or operation of behavioral health programs
  • Experience in behavioral healthcare or behavioral health insurance

*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 make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes.

We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is 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 is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Director will develop and manage programs to optimize behavioral health quality and reduce costs through partnerships with payer accounts and enterprise stakeholders. They are responsible for creating project plans, operational workflows, and analyzing data to drive program performance and clinical outcomes.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least 5 years of experience in a managed care organization or health insurer and a proven track record of cross-functional leadership. Strong problem-solving skills, financial acumen, and the ability to leverage data to drive strategies are essential for this role.

Key Skills

Project managementStakeholder managementStrategic planningPerformance metrics

Behavioral Health Career Context

UnitedHealth Group holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 76/100, 1,189 active listings.

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 20% are remote, 25% have no call, 68% require no weekends — this position is remote.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 19.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks14 jobs

401k / retirement match
100% this job
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
7%

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Work-life snapshot

4.5/ 10
Listing-based score
  • Remote
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About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive benefits package
Incentive and recognition programs
Equity stock purchase
401k contribution