Director,External Relations

The Director of External Relations is responsible for developing and executing Optum California’s strategic plan for public policy, government relations, community and media engagement. Topics will likely include:

• Working with UHG External Affairs and Optum Regulatory Affairs enterprise teams to develop and define local California strategy and engagement approach

• Developing a structured community relations program to create links into local communities where Optum California serves

• Managing PR agencies in developing and executing on media and press coverage for the business

The individual will be building a new muscle for Optum California and this role will call for independent development of a key function, interfacing directly with senior executives across Optum California. The Director will have ownership for external relations strategy and execution and provides management and guidance related to external relations including employee involvement and corporate support related to government, business, community, and trade association engagement. This is a role with a strong bias to action and accountability (not just thought partnership). Through their work, the Director will gain a strong understanding of the business and significant exposure to senior leaders. We envision this role as the first step in developing a strong external relations function within Optum California and the opportunity to build something special in a large, successful organization. This is a unique opportunity to have an impact that matters, and to be part of an organization that continues to grow and invest in its teams.

Essential Functions:

• Consistently exhibits behavior and communication skills that demonstrate our company’s commitment to superior customer service, including quality, care and concern with each and every internal and external customer

• Uses, protects, and discloses our patients’ protected health information (PHI) only in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards

• Public Affairs & Government Relations:

  • Partner with UHG External Affairs and Optum Regulatory Affairs teams and be the primary liaison for Optum CA to build and execute on advocacy and government relations strategy

  • Monitor and maintain awareness of relevant bills, laws, regulations, and trends that may impact Optum California businesses and educate Optum CA senior leadership on said issues

  • Support senior executives in preparing for meetings and other events with key government officials or other relevant stakeholders

• Community and External Relations:

  • Develop and execute on a community/external relations engagement strategy with key Optum CA stakeholders and leaders

  • Identify and leverage existing relationships to enrich outreach with community leaders, business leaders, non-profit organizations, and trade association leaders

  • Identifies and facilitates opportunities for Optum CA’s senior leaders to participate on community boards and organizations

  • Create and manage process to engage internal leaders and stakeholders to create strong community and local business ties

  • Maintains and facilitates strong, productive relationships with key community partners

  • Develop strategies to determine community needs and actionable area of focus

  • Identify opportunities for local funding needs and external charitable events participation as well as membership to professional, business, and social service organizations

• Public Relations & Communications:

  • Partner with Marketing and External Communications to determine respective areas of responsibility, develop, and implement a comprehensive media engagement strategy to align with promoting Optum CA awareness

  • Manage issue and crisis situations including social media/online crisis scenarios and guide positioning on controversial topics. Draft messaging and manage enquiries from press and related external organizations

  • Partner with Marketing to provide oversight and strategic direction to our PR agency to ensure effective management of brand PR agencies

  • Partner with External Communications to support social media strategy and elevate brand of senior executives

  • Develop and maintain relations with key media outlets and journalists

• Others:

  • Develops and manages budget for External Relations

• Performs additional duties as assigned

Education:

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college and/or a professional certification requiring formal education beyond a two-year college
Preferred: Master’s Degree, MBA

Experience:

Minimum: Over 5 years in a leadership role with external affairs, communications/PR, or advocacy
Preferred: Over 7 years in a leadership role with external affairs, communications/PR, or advocacy

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong issues/crisis communications knowledge and experience; ability to deal with ambiguity, display good judgment and composure

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; both verbal and written with proven expertise in using different styles to reflect the nature of the stakeholder, audience, and message

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work effectively with senior management teams

• Strong project management skills with the ability to execute and track programs with speed, accuracy and efficiency

• Strong sense of accountability; passion for owning projects and driving them to completion

• Team player with the ability to sell change effectively and influence others

• Ability to effectively drive multiple projects

• Ambitious and pro-active with strong team leadership skills and drive to “get stuff done”

Careers with Optum. Here’s the idea. We built an entire organization around one giant objective; make health care work better for everyone. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, brings together some of the greatest minds and most advanced ideas on where health care has to go in order to reach its fullest potential. For you, that means working on high performance teams against sophisticated challenges that matter. Here you’ll find incredible ideas in one incredible company and a singular opportunity to do your life’s best work.(SM)

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum and its affiliated medical practices are Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum and its affiliated medical practices is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.