The Director of Advisory Services - Business Performance has overall responsibility and authority across high-complexity, multi-workstream engagements and oversees the engagement manager of the project. Overall responsibility is to own, coordinate, and harmonize the overall project approach and final deliverable quality - ensuring a cohesive analysis and evaluation and compelling recommendations aligned to the client's unique business situation and needs. The Director serves as a key point of contact with the seniormost client and helps establish optimal communication cadence with C-Suite executives. They also scan and seek out additional opportunities with the client or with adjacent senior executives. The Director contributes to practice business development through achieving sales goals individually and for the practice. Additionally, the Director plays a critical role in team member mentorship and professional development, practice development and thought leadership.
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: - Overall project lead across high-complexity, multi-workstream engagements
- Build consensus among senior client stakeholders who play a critical role in the client's ability to successfully implement the identified solutions
- Oversees the day-to-day engagement manager(s) of the project
- 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 as it relates to strategy development and addressing client issues
- Key point of contact for the most senior project client executive and helps establish optimal communication cadence with C-Suite executives
- Critical role in developing project team manager and direct reports to expand their skills
- Accountable for budget. Focuses on project economics and directs team to follow practices needed to ensure both quality and profitability including close monitoring of actual vs. expected team utilization
- Accountable for meeting delivery timelines
- Communicate effectively and accurately in writing and verbally to prospects, clients, and other staff
- Demonstrate solid relationship management skills and ability to handle challenging interpersonal situations
- Drive and contribute to end-to-end business development efforts - both extensions of existing work as well as new business. Lead writing of proposals to prospect for additional work either with existing clients or greenfield ones. Create and generate new leads.
- Experience leveraging AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, generative AI platforms, AI-driven analytics) as part of day-to-day delivery and team workflow; model AI-first behaviors for the broader practice
- Manage and grow a book of business, cultivating long-term relationships with senior client buyers to drive sustained sales and revenue growth
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: - 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 consulting teams leveraging AI; ability to coach managers and senior consultants to create delivery leverage
- 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
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Demonstrated familiarity with variety of problem-solving approaches
- Ability to drill down to the root cause of issues and be creative in problem solving
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite - Word, PowerPoint, Excel
- Demonstrated proficiency in AI-enabled productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, AI-driven analytics platforms) to drive day-to-day delivery and team workflows
- Ability to travel domestically, up to 20%
Preferred Qualifications: - 10+ years of professional experience preferably in healthcare
- Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams within a consulting project environment
- Experience working in and successfully navigating a matrixed environment
- Hands-on experience designing or deploying agentic AI tools or automation solutions within a consulting or operational context
- Experience or 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
- Demonstrated active network of senior buyer relationships within U.S. health plans (inclusive of any of the following: national, regional, mission-driven non-profit, or for-profit)
*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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.
