Director, Advisory Services - Payer Strategy and Management Consulting - Remote

About the Role

Optum Insight is improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, and ultimately consumers. Our deep expertise in the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management, quality, and revenue growth.

The Director, Advisory Services has overall responsibility and authority across high-complexity, multi-workstream strategy and management consulting engagements serving payer clients. The Director oversees engagement managers and project teams, ensuring cohesive analysis, evaluation, and compelling recommendations aligned to the client's unique business needs. This role serves as a trusted advisor to C-suite payer client executives, helping clients identify strategic priorities, improve financial and market performance, rationalize services, and address specific business challenges.

The Director plays a critical role in team member mentorship, professional development, practice development, and strategic thought leadership. You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S., though hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Responsibilities

• Overall project lead across high-complexity, multi-workstream strategy and transformation-focused consulting engagements for payer clients.
• Build consensus among senior client stakeholders to successfully implement identified solutions.
• Oversee day-to-day engagement manager(s) of projects and set direction for development of key deliverables.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in one or more areas (e.g., health plan operations, enterprise strategy, organizational redesign and transformation, AI enablement, GTM approaches, product strategy, administrative cost management, and life sciences).
• Provide subject matter expertise to other Optum Advisory and Optum/UnitedHealth Group Company business units related to strategy development and addressing client issues.
• Act as the key point of contact for the most senior project client executive and establish optimal communication cadence with C-Suite executives.
• Develop project team managers and direct reports to expand their core consulting skills.
• Accountable for project budget, economics, and profitability, including monitoring team utilization.
• Ensure meeting delivery timelines.
• Communicate effectively and accurately in writing and verbally to prospects, clients, and staff.
• Demonstrate strong client relationship management skills, ability to handle challenging interpersonal situations, and executive presence.
• Drive and contribute to end-to-end business development efforts, including lead generation, proposal writing, and new business development.
• Leverage AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, generative AI platforms, AI-driven analytics) as part of day-to-day delivery and team workflows; model AI-first behaviors.
• Manage and grow a book of business, cultivating long-term relationships with senior payer client buyers to drive sustained sales and revenue growth.
• Contribute to internal practice initiatives, including shaping product/offering development and strategic thought leadership.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in management consulting (McKinsey-BCG-Bain / Big 4 / Boutique).
• 4+ years of experience in strategy and/or healthcare consulting.
• 4+ years of experience with project management, developing, and presenting deliverables to C-suite executives.
• 4+ years of experience leading strategy work and/or strategic initiatives.
• 2+ years of experience building, developing, and managing high-performing strategy consulting teams leveraging AI; ability to coach managers and senior consultants.
• 2+ years of business development experience and success selling in the payer and life sciences commercial (for-profit and non-profit) market generating at least $1M+ annually in new sales.
• Demonstrated familiarity with a variety of problem-solving approaches.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Demonstrated proficiency in AI-enabled productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, AI-driven analytics platforms).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaborate effectively in team settings.
• Demonstrated ability to drill down to the root cause of issues and be creative in problem-solving.
• Proven solid written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing or able to travel domestically, up to 50% when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience, preferably in healthcare.
• Experience working in and successfully navigating a matrixed environment.
• Subject matter expertise in: health plan operations, organizational redesign and transformation, administrative cost management, growth and market entry strategy, AI enablement, and/or life sciences.
• Experience successfully driving end-to-end sales and business development lifecycle in a consulting environment (e.g., lead generation, proposal development, RFP response).
• Hands-on experience designing or deploying agentic AI tools or automation solutions within a consulting or operational context.
• Background in healthcare consulting and ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams within a consulting project environment.
• Demonstrated active network of senior buyer relationships within U.S. health plans (national, regional, mission-driven non-profit, or for-profit).

Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase, and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

Pay

The salary for this role will range from $134,600 to $230,800 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications.