Director, Pharmacy Contract Strategy and Negotiations

Requisition Number: 2349715
Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Optum is seeking a dynamic Director, Pharmacy Contract Strategy & Negotiations, you will spearhead negotiations and management of agreements with external payors, ensuring competitive pricing, compliance, and sustainable partnerships that foster affordability and access for patients. You will be responsible for drafting and maintaining contract frameworks, overseeing performance metrics, and cultivating productive, long-term relationships with external pharmacy partners. Your strategic direction will be key in identifying opportunities to enhance value, strengthen partnerships, and support Optum's broader pharmacy growth agenda.
About the team:
The Pharmacy Network Contracting team leads the end to end contracting strategy and execution for Optum's pharmacy network. We negotiate and manage agreements with external payors, ensuring solid commercial outcomes and alignment to enterprise goals. Our team is responsible for drafting and maintaining contract frameworks, overseeing performance against agreed upon terms, and cultivating productive, long term relationships with external pharmacy partners. In addition, we drive the strategic direction of our pharmacy network, identifying opportunities to enhance value, strengthen partnerships, and support Optum's broader pharmacy growth agenda.
Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin or Letterkenny office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.
What you will do:

• Contract Analysis: Assess complex contract language to evaluate financial, operational, and legal implications of proposed changes
• Contract Strategy: Ensure contracts comply with reimbursement structures and process controls
• Negotiation: Lead negotiations with payors to secure terms that align with organizational goals and regulatory requirements
• Market Intelligence: Monitor competitor landscape, reimbursement trends, and regulatory changes to inform strategy
• Financial Modeling: Use advanced financial and pricing models to evaluate proposals and predict impact on performance
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with finance, legal, operations, and external payors to ensure objective alignment and execution
• Performance Monitoring: Oversee pharmacy performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed
• Team Leadership: Guide and mentor a high-performing team responsible for contract execution and relationship management

You will 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 providing development for other roles you may be interested in.
What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Proven extensive experience in pharmacy or healthcare contracting, with proven success in complex negotiations
• Demonstrated solid financial acumen and ability to interpret and apply pricing models
• Proven experience engaging with senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated solid presentation and communication skills
• Proven experience leading a team of direct reports
• Proven background in pharmacy benefit management or pharmaceutical contracting
• Demonstrated familiarity with large-scale agreements and multi-billion-dollar negotiations

What We Offer:

• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive and supportive team culture
• Key benefits: private health insurance, wellness programs, matching pension contribution, lunch provided by the company, training opportunities, employee donations matching and others

Interview Process:

• Recruiter screening
• Interview with HM and one more team member
• Interview with Senior Leader and HM (face to face)

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.
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