Collections Specialist Lead -Hybrid in Eden Prairie, MN

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.  

Quality at Optum means striving for excellence in everything we do in order to help us achieve our Mission. Simply put, it’s in our DNA and why we’re in business – to help people. Our Mission serves as our why; our Values unite us around how we will achieve it. Because when we follow our Mission and live our Values, we deliver Quality.

We offer 1 week of on-the-job training which will be on site at our 1 Optum Circle Eden Prairie, MN, 55344 location. You will be expected to come into the office at a minimum of once a month. The hours of training will be aligned with your schedule. Training will be conducted onsite for the first week of training.

This isn’t your standard collection team.  The Collections Specialist Lead position is on the AR Solutions Team where you’ll resolve obstacles that prevent customers from paying Optum.  As a Collections Specialist Lead, you’ll work with an entrepreneurial spirit as you navigate the customer’s payment process to ensure invoices are approved and paid timely.  When disputes arise, you’ll work directly with Billing, Cash Application, Client Management and Legal to address the issues.  You’ll also work directly with the Accounting Department to explain bad debt risks associated with invoices.

If you are located in Eden Prairie, MN, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collect on high profile lines of business
• Resolve collection issues independently
• Deliver fine-tuned presentation skills
• Identify areas for process improvements
• Mentor grade 25 team members
• Taking on additional tasks and special projects 
• Participate in User Acceptance Testing
• Collection and AR Subject Matter Expert
• Maintain B2B collection portfolios within business standards
• Resolving all aspects of outstanding receivables
  • Including but not limited to
    • Collection of past due invoices 
    • Resolution of credit balances
    • Continual reduction of past due aging
    • Research and resolve invoice discrepancies
    • Achieve collection metrics
• Reconcile payment applications 
• Provide bad debt reserve recommendations
• Respond timely to individual and shared mailboxes
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers
• Provide aging reports and other data requested to business users
• Collaborate with internal partners to resolve unpaid balances
• Work independently and prioritize workload
• Lead AR Review meetings
• Analyzing aged receivables
• Utilize reporting tools
• Update manager with relevant business information
• Document and maintain appropriate internal controls
• Work within department service level agreements (SLAs) 
• Adhere to company values

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:

• High School Diploma / GED
• 3+ years of Business-to-Business Collection experience
• Experience with Complex Payment Reconciliations
• Experience in large scale ERP environment
• Experience in a metric driven environment
• Experience in collections, primarily through phone and email communication
• Microsoft Excel user at an intermediate level (Pivot Tables, Sorting Data, and Reconciling experience)
• Ability to work onsite two times per month at 1 Optum Circle Eden Prairie, MN, 55344, with flexibility to work onsite full time for the first week of training

Preferred Qualifications:

• GetPaid OR PeopleSoft Collection Software experience
• Collection Software tool experience
• Accounting Software experience
• Experience working in a global organization
• Accounting Bad Debt Reserve Knowledge
• Business Bankruptcy Knowledge

Telecommuting Requirements:

• Reside within two hours from Eden Prairie, MN
• Ability to keep all company sensitive documents secure (if applicable)
• Must live in a location that can receive a UnitedHealth Group approved high-speed internet connection or leverage an existing high-speed internet service

Soft Skills:

• Solid negotiation, problem solving and resolution skills
• Excellent communication skills with a diverse population
• Quick learning agility, resourceful, self – motivated, and works independently

*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 $58,800 to $105,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.