Senior Director of Medicaid Policy - Minnesota or Washington, D.C. preferred

At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers to quality care. The work you do here impacts the lives of millions of people for the better. Come build the health care system of tomorrow, making it more responsive, affordable and optimized. Ready to make a difference? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As Senior Director of Medicaid Policy, this role serves as the enterprise leader responsible for translating complex and evolving Medicaid policy into actionable strategy that advances member outcomes, strengthens external partnerships, and supports sustainable growth. 

This role is central to advancing key enterprise priorities, including:

• Implementation of federal requirements (e.g. community engagement requirements, cost share)
• Eligibility and enrollment modernization (including 834 standardization)
• Strengthening partnership with FQHCs and community providers
• Enhancing consistency in Medicaid program design and delivery across states
• The role operates at the intersection of strategy, external influence, and enterprise enablement, ensuring the organization is proactively shaping Medicaid policy in partnership with states, providers, and national stakeholders

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: 
Enterprise Policy Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Define and lead a coordinated Medicaid policy strategy aligned to enterprise priorities, including eligibility reform, use of artificial intelligence in Medicaid program, Medicaid rate setting processes, Medicaid managed care program design 
• Translate federal and state policy developments into clear strategic direction for health plans and executive leadership
• Ensure consistency in policy interpretation and application across markets
• Ensure strong collaboration with key matrix partners in National Regulatory Affairs, Government Affairs, Compliance and Legal teams.

External Influence & Partnership 

• Lead enterprise engagement with national trade associations, policy coalitions, and external stakeholders to shape Medicaid policy direction
• Convene and guide external advisory groups and FQHC/provider partnerships to inform policy positioning and program innovation
• Represent the organization with Medicaid Directors, other regulators, policymakers, outside policy experts and select advocacy organizations

Position Development

• Proactively develop advocacy positions grounded in business and data insights that address emerging trends and policy developments at the federal and state level  
• Advance strategies that support health outcomes, whole-person care models and sustainability within Medicaid programs 
• Partner with stakeholders, including FQHCs and community organizations, to promote approaches that improve access, trust, and outcomes for underserved populations

Thought Leadership & Enterprise Enablement

• Lead development of policy insights, trend analysis, and thought leadership content for internal and external audiences 
• Establish communication channels that ensure leaders are informed of emerging policy risks and opportunities
• Translate complex issues into clear, actionable messaging for executives and markets

Team Leadership & Execution Model

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of policy SMEs
• Establish scalable processes, prioritization, and accountability mechanisms
• Build a measurement approach that demonstrates policy influence and enterprise impact

General Job Profile

• Company thought leader who drives organizational strategy nationally
• Leads team of professional SMEs with in-depth policy experience
• Functional SME and resource to senior leadership and external partners
• Develops pioneering approaches to emerging industry trends that advance the way Medicaid serves beneficiaries