Associate Director, M&A Communications - Remote

Requisition Number: 2389558
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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
As an Associate Director, M&A Communications at Optum, you will lead and execute communications strategies for M&A transactions, ensuring accurate, timely, and well-coordinated messaging across stakeholders during critical deal milestones from pre-close through close. In this strategic leadership role, you will own the development of high-impact deal communication materials, direct cross-functional alignment across HR, Legal, Executive Leadership, Content, and Integration teams, and establish repeatable frameworks and templates to optimize future deal executions.
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:

• Lead the strategy, development, and execution of comprehensive communication plans for transaction milestones (pre-sign, pre-close, close)
• Own transaction-specific messaging and communication materials, including deal announcements, executive leadership messaging, FAQs, and enterprise employee communications
• Direct cross-functional alignment and messaging coordination across HR, Legal, business leaders, Content, and Executive Communications teams
• Translate complex transaction strategy into clear, accurate, consistent, and compliant communications tailored across diverse stakeholder groups
• Manage high-pressure communication timelines, deliverables, and dependencies across multiple deal workstreams simultaneously
• Provide strategic counsel and leadership readiness support to executive leadership, developing key messages, talking points, and briefing materials
• Build and maintain standardized templates, tools, frameworks, and repeatable playbooks for future deal communications
• Partner with Integration Specialists to ensure a seamless transition from transaction communications to post-close integration messaging

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:

• 7+ years of progressive corporate communications, executive communications, or strategic communications experience
• 3+ years of experience managing communications in fast-paced, high-stakes M&A transactions, corporate restructurings, or enterprise-level change initiatives
• Demonstrated track record of providing strategic communications counsel to executive leadership
• Proven ability to write, edit, and deliver clear, concise, and compliant communications under tight transaction timelines
• Proven solid organizational and project management experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder workstreams simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading communications within a large, highly matrixed healthcare or health services enterprise
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, drive alignment, and maintain high accuracy in rapidly evolving deal environments

*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 $112,700 - $193,200 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.
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.
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.