Director, External Audiences and Channels - Hybrid in MN or Remote

Join Optum Communications

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.
This role will be responsible for leading Optum Communications' approach to external audiences and channel activation, ensuring stories, campaigns and enterprise priorities reach the right audiences through the most effective owned and shared channels, platforms and digital experiences.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities

Audience & Channel Strategy

Develop audience and channel strategies that support enterprise priorities, campaigns and storytelling initiatives
Identify the most effective channels, formats and distribution approaches for key audiences
Lead audience segmentation, targeting and channel planning
Partner with teams across the enterprise that manage external channels and digital platforms

Owned & Shared Channel Activation

Lead publishing, distribution and amplification strategies for priority stories, campaigns and executive communications
Coordinate content activation across social, digital and other external communications channels
Optimize content for channel performance, audience engagement and user experience
Monitor audience trends, sentiment and engagement
Analyze performance and translate insights into actionable recommendations
Drive continuous improvement through testing, experimentation and emerging technologies, including AI

Team Leadership & Capability Building

Lead, coach and develop a team focused on audience engagement and channel effectiveness
Establish priorities, goals and operating rhythms aligned to communications objectives
Build capabilities in digital engagement, analytics and audience strategy
Drive adoption of new tools, technologies and best practices

What Success Looks Like

Stories, campaigns and enterprise priorities consistently reach the right audiences
Increased awareness, engagement and content effectiveness
Communications decisions informed by audience and performance insights
Solid partnerships that maximize the impact of enterprise-owned channels and digital experiences
A high-performing team recognized for audience expertise and channel effectiveness
Key Capabilities

Expertise in audience behavior, digital engagement and content consumption trends
Solid understanding of social, digital and emerging channel ecosystems
Ability to translate data and insights into actionable communications strategies
Experience optimizing content distribution and audience engagement
Proven people leadership, coaching and team development skills
Solid collaboration and influence skills within complex, matrixed organizations
Excellent prioritization, project management and stakeholder management capabilities
Curiosity and adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital and AI landscape
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

10+ years of experience in communications, digital strategy, social media, audience engagement or related fields
5+ years of people leadership experience
Experience developing audience, channel or content distribution strategies within large, complex organizations
Experience overseeing content publishing, distribution and performance optimization
Experience using audience and performance insights to drive communications decisions
Experience working across multiple teams and stakeholders in a matrixed environment
Preferred Qualifications

Experience in healthcare, technology or other highly regulated industries
Experience leading enterprise social, digital or audience engagement programs
Experience building or scaling audience and channel capabilities
Experience leveraging emerging technologies to improve communications effectiveness
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). The salary for this role will range from $134,600 - $230,800 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.
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.