Associate Director Network Pricing - Remote

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 talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities.

Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum Rx is looking for a curious, adaptable, and self-motivated analyst to be part of our Network Pricing team. This is an intermediate analytics role where you will learn the business fundamentals of drug pricing and client performance management, the underlying data flows, and the tools and systems used in this type of financial analysis. The person in this role will work with and have regular exposure to analysts and projects in our global data science and network pricing teams.

In addition, solid communication skills are important as this role partners with other departments including Underwriting, Legal, Account Management, Operations, and Clinical to effectively oversee client performance management.

Supports and validates Provider Network (physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, ancillary facilities, etc.) contracting and unit cost management activities through financial and network pricing modeling, analysis, and reporting. Conducts unit cost and contract valuation analysis in support of network contracting negotiations and unit cost management strategies. Manage unit cost budgets, target setting, performance reporting, and associated financial models

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:

• Develop a new health plan pricing offering with collaboration of clients, development teams and finance leadership
• Lead and perform financial analysis and modeling as it relates to setting prescription drug prices and managing client and pharmacy financial performance
• Concisely summarize and communicate statistical findings and conclusions across key internal and external stakeholders
• Set team direction, resolve issues and provides guidance to members of own team
• Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges
• Work alongside data scientists and business stakeholders to implement models from end to end, including data ingestion and preparation, analysis, modelling, performance tracking and documentation
• Identify potential areas and quantify impact for prescription drug cost improvements and alternative pricing strategies
• Weekly communicating and consulting with clients directly
• Translate highly complex concepts in ways that can be understood by a variety of audiences and secure buy in to adopt recommendations
• Support the development of strategic initiatives aimed at reducing the total cost of care
• Predict emerging customer needs and develop innovative solutions to meet them
• Partner with other departments including Underwriting, Legal, Operations, Clinical, and Account Management to effectively oversee client performance management

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:

• 8+ years of analytical experience in financial analysis, healthcare pricing, network management, healthcare economics, or related discipline
• 6+ years of experience in creating and using financial modeling tools, spreadsheets, and information acquisition tools including experience in interpreting and/or displaying financial modeling results to inform actionable decisions
• 2+ years management experience
• Experience interacting with clients and internal leaders
• Advanced proficiency in performing financial impact analysis, risk…