Director of Communications -Eden Prairie, MN Preferred/Remote Considered

Responsibilities

• Executive Communications Strategy and Counsel - Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the Optum Health CEO and select C-suite leaders, providing counsel on positioning, messaging, executive presence, tone, and engagement
• Develop and lead an integrated executive communications strategy aligned with Optum Health business priorities, the broader Optum narrative, and enterprise reputation objectives
• Build a deep understanding of the CEO's leadership style, perspective, and voice and translate it into communications that are authentic, distinctive, and credible
• Develop differentiated communications platforms for select C-suite leaders, defining each leader's priority topics, audiences, role, voice, and engagement approach
• Translate complex business, clinical, operational, market, and policy priorities into clear, compelling executive narratives
• Anticipate communications needs, stakeholder questions, and potential scrutiny; provide proactive counsel and real-time support in high-stakes situations
• Exercise strategic judgment in evaluating requests and opportunities, redirecting work that does not align with organizational priorities
• Ensure executive communications elevate Optum Health and reinforce a coherent, enterprise-aligned Optum narrative
• Thought Leadership Strategy - Develop and own the Optum Health thought leadership strategy, with primary emphasis on elevating the external visibility, influence, and reputation of Optum Health and, ultimately, the Optum brand
• Identify priority issues and areas of expertise on which Optum Health and its leaders have a credible, differentiated right to lead

Requirements

• Significant progressive experience in executive communications, corporate communications, thought leadership, public affairs, reputation management, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience advising a CEO, C-suite executive, or comparably senior leader
• Proven ability to develop and execute executive communications and thought leadership strategies tied to business and reputation priorities
• Proven exceptional executive writing and editing skills across speeches, presentations, long-form, digital, social, video, and briefing formats
• Demonstrated ability to learn, develop, and consistently capture an executive's authentic voice.
• Experience working successfully in highly matrixed organization
• Ability to translate complex business, clinical, technical, policy, or financial information into clear and compelling narratives
• Demonstrated solid business acumen and ability to lead through influence in a complex, highly matrixed organization
• Ability to manage high-profile priorities, tight deadlines, sensitive information, and ambiguity with discretion and composure
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25%

Preferred

• Healthcare industry experience, particularly in healthcare services, care delivery, health benefits, technology, or a diversified health organization
• Understanding of patient, consumer, clinician, employer, health plan, health system, policymaker, and industry stakeholder perspectives
• Experience developing evidence-based thought leadership using clinical outcomes, research, data, market insights, or proprietary expertise
• Experience supporting multiple C-suite leaders while maintaining differentiated platforms and a cohesive organizational narrative
• Experience building governance, operating models, editorial standards, and measurement frameworks

Benefits

• a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements)