Associate Director of Research

United Health Group is a health care and well-being company that's dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, United Healthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The United Health Group Center for Health Care Research (CHCR), based in Washington, D.C., seeks an outstanding and experienced Research Analyst to join a high-performing team of innovative health care researchers and analysts within a dynamic, mission-driven, results-oriented organization.

The Center's research advances UHG's commitment to the development of a next-generation health system through socially responsible, actionable, practical, and timely policy and market solutions that promote affordability, access to coverage, improved patient and physician experiences, and better health outcomes.

CHCR's work is critical to advancing understanding of key health care market dynamics and strategic opportunities among senior UHG leadership. The Center's research also supports Corporate Communications and Federal and State Government Affairs teams as they engage with the public, media, and policymakers.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of health care policy and market dynamics. This individual will demonstrate sound judgment, a passion for health care transformation, and the ability to contribute to and execute robust research initiatives that advance UHG's business objectives and policy priorities.

The successful candidate will have a broad range of analytical and operational responsibilities related to producing, managing, and disseminating UHG research. This role informs and accelerates the work of senior researchers while providing opportunities for professional growth and increasing ownership of research initiatives over time.

Targeted Background Research

• Produce targeted background research that aggregates and synthesizes publicly available literature, policy analyses, and data to inform the development of UHG-generated research products and deliverables
• Advance early-stage research strategy by identifying key trends, evidence, and knowledge gaps that help advance projects from concept development through analysis and insight generation

Collaborative Drafting and Analysis

• Lead analytical collaboration across research projects by contributing to the design, drafting, editing, and refinement of UHG-generated research briefs and publications
• Facilitate the efficient advancement of multiple concurrent work streams while maintaining consistency, accuracy, and quality across deliverables

Quality Assurance

• Conduct rigorous and timely reviews of research products developed by lead researchers, serving as a key contributor to quality assurance efforts
• Ensure high standards of accuracy, precision, consistency, and analytical rigor in all UHG-generated research

Process Management

• Lead the documentation, optimization, and continuous improvement of research and communication workflows
• Maintain detailed and accessible records of review processes to support transparency, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness
• Preserve institutional knowledge and facilitate seamless coordination among internal researchers and external partners

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Build and maintain solid partnerships with teams across UHG to secure access to relevant data, analyses, and subject matter expertise
• Foster collaborative relationships that strengthen CHCR's research capabilities and support project execution

Research Amplification

• Partner with communications teams to maximize the visibility and impact of research findings through internal and external dissemination strategies
• Support stakeholder engagement and broaden awareness of key research insights among priority audiences

Executive Engagement Support

• Partner with senior team leaders to aggregate, organize, and prepare materials and deliverables for engagements with senior executives
• Develop work products that support informed decision-making by ensuring materials are clear, complete, accurate, and strategically aligned

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an…