VP, Financial Protection Operations – UHC Operations & Experience

At UnitedHealthcare, we’re simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and equitable. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

In this role, you will oversee E2E operations functions in support of our ~4 million members across 11 different Financial Protection products. You will be responsible for strategic planning, P&L ownership, and delivering year-over-year operating cost reductions. You will support a global, cross-matrix team of 400+ across both front and back-office functions.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Ownership & Transformation

• P&L Accountability: Own and manage a P&L with full accountability for financial performance, cost per unit, and operational ROI. Drive margin expansion through strategic cost levers and experience-led transformation.
• Shift-Left Strategy: Lead the design and execution of shift-left initiatives that reduce avoidable contacts, improve digital containment, and elevate member and provider satisfaction.
• Experience Innovation: Champion a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, leveraging VOC insights, journey analytics, and digital capabilities to reimagine service delivery.

Enterprise Operations Leadership

• Front & Back Office Integration: Oversee integrated operations across intake, service, claims, and fulfillment. Ensure seamless coordination and performance across all operational touchpoints.
• Capability Enablement: Build and scale operational capabilities through automation, AI, and workforce transformation. Lead portfolio and program governance to accelerate delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Digital Execution: Influence the digital roadmap in partnership with business, operations, technology and product teams. Prioritize investments that enable self-service, intelligent routing, and proactive outreach.

Performance & Governance

• Operational Stewardship: Lead monthly and quarterly business reviews, ensuring transparency of performance, risks, and opportunities. Develop and maintain robust analytics and reporting frameworks to inform executive decision-making.
• Vendor Strategy & Optimization: Own strategic vendor relationships, including contract negotiation, performance management, and alignment to enterprise goals. Drive vendor innovation and accountability.
• Quality & Compliance: Establish a proactive quality framework that ensures regulatory compliance, minimizes risk, and drives first-time-right outcomes.

Organizational Leadership

• Talent Strategy: Build and lead a high-performing, future-ready operations leadership team. Foster a culture of accountability, agility, and empowerment.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Collaborate with Business, Finance, Product, Technology, and Experience teams to align operational strategy with enterprise priorities.
• Change Leadership: Serve as a visible change agent, guiding the organization through transformation with clarity, empathy, and purpose.

Enterprise Strategy & Market Alignment

• Strategic Direction & Influence: Provide enterprise-level strategic direction across Financial Protection businesses partnering with business CEO, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and market dynamics. Serve as a key thought partner to executive leadership in shaping the future of the business.
• Product & Go-to-Market Strategy: Influence and obtain operational alignment on product and go-to-market strategies for the Financial Protection businesses. Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Sales, and Experience teams to ensure operational readiness and scalability of new offerings. Translate market insights and operational capabilities into actionable strategies that drive growth, differentiation, and member value.
• Voice of Operations: Represent the operational voice in enterprise planning forums, ensuring that operational feasibility, cost implications, and experience impacts are embedded in product and market decisions.

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions 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 business enablement, operations management, and related disciplines
• 3+ years of experience in Healthcare Financial Protection Operations
• 3+ years of experience in managing P&L and driving financial stewardship
• 3+ years of experience in driving digital roadmap development and execution
• 3+ years of experience in strategic partner management
• 2+ years of experience delivering innovative, strategic solutions
• 5+ years of experience working with cross-functional, matrixed teams and diverse stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in deploying AI/ML solutions
• Experience in managing the full administration lifecycle of Life, Leave Management, and Supplemental Health products
• Proven track record of success in strategic planning, financial management, and operational excellence
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive high-performing teams and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels  

CLL– Key Skills and Capabilities:

• Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges, learn from feedback, and continuously seek opportunities for growth and improvement
• Leveraging Innovation: Drive innovation by exploring new ideas, technologies, and approaches to enhance business performance
• Driving High-Performing Teams: Build and lead high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results and drive business success

• Organizational Agility: Adapt quickly to changing business needs and market conditions, ensuring the organization remains competitive and 

  responsive

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

For all hires within 30 minutes of an office in Minnesota or Washington, D.C., you’ll be required to work a minimum of four days per week in-office.

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 $196,600 to $337,100 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.