The Business Development Associate serves as a commercial growth partner supporting the OptumInsight Provider Market organization. Working with a high degree of independence, this role combines disciplined lead generation, market intelligence, customer-needs assessment, and early-stage pipeline execution to identify opportunities and advance growth priorities with U.S.-based hospitals and health systems in the Central region.
The Business Development Associate partners with Regional Sales Leaders, Solution Sales Executives, Account Executives, Sales Readiness, Sales Operations, Product Go-to-Market, Marketing, Finance, and other matrix partners. The role interprets market and customer information, develops actionable recommendations, coordinates outreach, and enables well-documented handoffs throughout the client and sales lifecycle.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities: Targeting, Lead Generation and Market Intelligence- Independently identify and prioritize high-potential provider prospects, accounts, decision-makers, and growth opportunities using Salesforce, market intelligence platforms, internal analytics, dashboards, and market research
- Plan and execute structured prospecting and outreach activity, including campaign follow-up, conference and webinar lead management, client research, and contact identification
- Assess provider-market dynamics, competitor activity, industry trends, client challenges, and Optum capabilities to inform targeting strategy and pipeline priorities
- Translate research and data into concise account profiles, outreach plans, call-preparation materials, and actionable recommendations for sales teams and leaders
Pipeline Qualification and Sales Partnership- Partner with Solution Sales Executives, Account Executives, Growth Leaders, and business development teams to shape outreach strategy, prepare for discovery, and advance early-stage opportunities
- Engage marketing-generated and inbound leads in a timely manner through phone, email, and other approved channels to assess fit, timing, stakeholders, customer needs, and next steps
- Interpret prospect responses and available information to determine appropriate qualification, follow-up, escalation, or handoff actions
- Document qualified opportunities and coordinate seamless handoffs to Solution Sales Executives and Account Executives in alignment with established pipeline-stage guidelines
- Independently manage follow-through across assigned prospecting, pipeline, campaign, and client-related initiatives while adapting to changing account priorities
CRM Discipline, Reporting and Operational Execution- Maintain accurate prospecting activity, lead progress, customer research, opportunity status, and next steps in Salesforce or other designated tools
- Analyze activity and pipeline information to identify risks, gaps, trends, and recommended actions
- Reinforce CRM data quality, operating cadence, action tracking, and process consistency across business development activities
- Solve moderately complex operational issues and coordinate resolution across appropriate business partners with minimal guidance
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Client Support- Serve as a coordination point across Sales Operations, Marketing, Market Solutions, Customer Success, Value Management, Product, Finance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders
- Assess stakeholder and customer requests, clarify requirements, and identify practical solutions or next steps for non-standard needs
- Provide clear explanations, recommendations, and status updates on complex or sensitive issues to sales partners and other stakeholders
- Coach and share guidance, tools, and effective practices with colleagues who have less experience
Analytics, AI Enablement and Continuous Improvement- Use enterprise-approved AI tools, internal analytics, dashboards, and market intelligence resources to improve research, targeting, outreach quality, and pipeline execution
- Apply judgment to validate AI-generated or analytical insights before incorporating them into business recommendations or customer-facing work
- Identify opportunities to streamline manual tasks, improve workflows, strengthen field-facing resources, and translate new concepts into repeatable business practices
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: - 2+ years of experience in business development, sales, account management, sales support, commercial operations, healthcare consulting, healthcare technology, revenue cycle management, provider services, or a related customer-facing commercial function
- 2+ years of experience supporting lead generation, prospecting, pipeline management, client research, account planning, campaign follow-up, or opportunity qualification
- Experience assessing customer or prospect needs, interpreting business information, and recommending appropriate actions or solutions
- Experience independently managing multiple priorities, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments in a fast-paced or matrixed environment
- Experience using a CRM platform, such as Salesforce, to manage activities, document opportunities, and maintain data quality
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize information and deliver clear, actionable recommendations
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information and build relationships across organizational levels
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and SharePoint
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, navigate ambiguity, adapt to changing priorities, and work with minimal guidance
Preferred Qualifications: - Experience supporting hospitals, health systems, physician groups, or other healthcare provider organizations
- Experience with revenue cycle management, healthcare financial operations, patient access, revenue integrity, claims, denials, healthcare technology, or related provider-market functions
- Experience supporting commercial growth, market expansion, strategic account planning, or client acquisition initiatives
- Experience using healthcare market intelligence, sales analytics, customer insights, or enterprise business development tools
- Experience coordinating across Sales, Operations, Marketing, Product, Finance, Legal, and other cross-functional stakeholders
- Experience using enterprise-approved AI-enabled productivity, research, analytics, or workflow tools
*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 $72,800 - $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: 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.
