Director of Communications -Eden Prairie, MN Preferred/Remote Considered

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.

Role Overview
The Senior Director, Executive Communications & Thought Leadership will serve as a lead communications advisor to the Optum Health CEO and select members of the Optum Health C‑suite. This highly visible role will develop and lead an integrated executive communications and thought leadership strategy that elevates the Optum Health brand, strengthens leadership visibility and credibility, and reinforces Optum Health's unique integrated value‑based care narrative.

The Senior Director will translate Optum Health's business strategy, clinical expertise, market insights, and impact into clear, compelling narratives for priority external and internal audiences. The individual will define the issues and conversations on which Optum Health and its leaders can credibly lead, develop distinctive executive platforms, and identify the moments and channels that will create the greatest strategic value.

This role requires both a senior communications strategist and an exceptional executive writer. The successful candidate will build trusted relationships with the CEO and select senior leaders, learn and authentically reflect each executive's voice, and produce high‑quality communications across formats. The Senior Director will own the strategy and lead execution with support from across the communications organization.

The role will establish the discipline, governance, and prioritization needed to focus executive communications on opportunities that best advance Optum Health's strategy and reputation. This includes providing direct counsel, exercising sound judgement, and redirecting requests that do not align with agreed priorities.

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

Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the Optum Health CEO and select C‑suite leaders, providing counsel on positioning, messaging, executive presence, tone, and engagement

Develop and lead an integrated executive communications strategy aligned with Optum Health business priorities, the broader Optum narrative, and enterprise reputation objectives

Build a deep understanding of the CEO's leadership style, perspective, and voice and translate it into communications that are authentic, distinctive, and credible

Develop differentiated communications platforms for select C‑suite leaders, defining each leader's priority topics, audiences, role, voice, and engagement approach

Translate complex business, clinical, operational, market and policy priorities into clear, compelling executive narratives

Anticipate communications needs, stakeholder questions and potential scrutiny; provide proactive counsel and real‑time support in high‑stakes situations

Exercise strategic judgement in evaluating requests and opportunities, redirecting work that does not align with organisational priorities

Ensure executive communications elevate Optum Health and reinforce a coherent, enterprise‑aligned Optum narrative

Thought Leadership Strategy

Develop and own the Optum Health thought leadership strategy, with primary emphasis on elevating the external visibility, influence and reputation of Optum Health and, ultimately, the Optum brand

Identify priority issues and areas of expertise on which Optum Health and its leaders have a credible, differentiated right to lead

Establish a focused portfolio of thought leadership platforms aligned with business strategy, stakeholder needs, market dynamics and reputation opportunities

Define target audiences, desired outcomes, narratives, proof points, executive voices, channels and activation strategies for each platform

Develop an annual roadmap connecting executive engagement, speeches, earned media, bylined content, social media, proprietary insights, industry events, convenings and partnerships

Monitor the healthcare, policy, competitive, cultural and media landscape for emerging issues, whitespace opportunities and reputational risk

Elevate clinical, operational, business and other subject‑matter experts when their expertise strengthens credibility and reach

Recommend when Optum Health should lead, contribute, partner or intentionally remain outside a public conversation

Narrative, Evidence and Message Development

Develop and steward a differentiated Optum Health narrative and message architecture connecting purpose, strategy, capabilities, expertise, outcomes and impact

Work with key communications partners to create and maintain executive messaging platforms, core narratives, approved proof points, audience‑specific messages and issue positioning

Partner with business, clinical, strategy, policy, research, analytics, finance, legal, compliance and other experts to identify and validate evidence, outcomes, case studies and stories

Ensure consistency across audiences and channels while preserving each leader's authentic voice

Apply rigorous editorial judgement so content is clear, accurate, credible, relevant and substantive rather than promotional

Executive Visibility, Engagement and Content

Develop an external visibility strategy for the CEO and select C‑suite leaders that advances Optum Health narratives and reputation objectives

Establish criteria for evaluating speaking, media, social, convening, partnership, podcast, award and other opportunities

Proactively identify high‑value forums, audiences, relationships and moments; recommend where leaders should invest their time and voice

Determine the most credible leader or expert to represent each priority narrative or issue

Working with key partners, develop integrated activation plans that extend the value of major engagements before, during, and after each moment

Prepare, brief, rehearse and coach executives for speeches, media interviews, industry events, employee engagements, customer meetings and other high‑profile opportunities

Write and oversee speeches, keynote remarks, talking points, opinion pieces, presentations, social content, video scripts, briefing documents and employee communications

Provide strategic and editorial direction to media, storytelling, creative and content partners while retaining accountability for final executive content

Strategic Internal Engagements

Lead communications strategy and content development for select internal engagements where executive participation is critical to advancing strategy, strengthening trust or aligning employees

Develop executive communications for major organisational moments, including town halls, leadership meetings, business updates, strategic announcements and periods of significant change

Connect internal and external narratives so employees understand Optum Health's direction, priorities, impact and role within Optum

Use internal engagements selectively and strategically, focusing capacity on moments with the greatest leadership and organisational significance

How You'll Work

Own the Optum Health executive communications and thought leadership strategy within the broader enterprise communications framework

Work directly with the CEO and select C‑suite leaders, building trust and access to anticipate needs and provide effective counsel

Operate as both a senior strategist and hands‑on practitioner

Lead through influence across a highly matrixed organisation, mobilising capabilities from across the communications team

Partner closely with Strategic Communications, Business Campaigns, Writing, Content, Storytelling, Media Relations, Public Affairs, Social Media, Brand, Marketing, Events, Employee Communications and Channels

Build solid relationships with clinical, business, strategy, analytics, research, finance, legal, compliance and policy partners

Travel approximately 25% to support executive engagements, leadership meetings, events and other business needs

Required Qualifications

Significant progressive experience in executive communications, corporate communications, thought leadership, public affairs, reputation management or a related field

Demonstrated experience advising a CEO, C‑suite executive or comparably senior leader

Proven ability to develop and execute executive communications and thought leadership strategies tied to business and reputation priorities

Proven exceptional executive writing and editing skills across speeches, presentations, long‑form, digital, social, video and briefing formats

Demonstrated ability to learn, develop and consistently capture an executive's authentic voice

Experience working successfully in highly matrixed organisation

Ability to translate complex business, clinical, technical, policy or financial information into clear and compelling narratives

Demonstrated solid business acumen and ability to lead through influence in a complex, highly matrixed organisation

Ability to manage high‑profile priorities, tight deadlines, sensitive information and ambiguity with discretion and composure

Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25%

Preferred Qualifications

Healthcare industry experience, particularly in healthcare services, care delivery, health benefits, technology or a diversified health organisation

Understanding of patient, consumer, clinician, employer, health plan, health system, policymaker and industry stakeholder perspectives

Experience developing evidence‑based thought leadership using clinical outcomes, research, data, market insights or proprietary expertise

Experience supporting multiple C‑suite leaders while maintaining differentiated platforms and a cohesive organisational narrative

Experience building governance, operating models, editorial standards and measurement frameworks

Key Capabilities

Enterprise and strategic mindset

Executive counsel and presence

Exceptional writing and storytelling

Thought leadership expertise

Editorial judgement

Healthcare fluency

Audience orientation

Issues anticipation

Cross‑functional leadership

Agility, discretion and composure

Strategic execution

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 labour markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programmes, 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 $159,300 - $273,200 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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, colour, 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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