Associate Finance Director- Salt Lake City, UT or Remote

Optum

USremote country$113k-$193k/yrPosted Jul 15, 2026
Posting intelligenceActively listed

Skills

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About the role

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.

The Associate Finance Director is responsible for providing overall financial leadership to the UT External Public Sector team. This position will have one direct report. Primary functions include business analytics for decision support, financial reporting, annual and long-term strategic planning, quarterly forecasting and supporting the execution of contractual finance requirements unique to the Utah market. This leader will be accountable for the day-day and overall financial performance of the UT market relative to our strategic goals and objectives.

This leader will work with key senior leaders to ensure the business is operating effectively, with sound financial analysis and appropriate financial and operating controls.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Associate Finance Director will have broad responsibilities, including:

Finance owner that oversees the finance obligations associated with two separate Utah Behavioral Health contracts, partnering with the Executive Director and the local leadership team to meet the growth and profitability objectives of the business

Role will oversee a limited amount monthly journal entry preparation associated with monthly PMPM revenue, provider payments, etc.

This role is customer facing and will meet regularly with the customers to discuss developing trends within the market and regulatory affairs. Developing and fostering strong relationships with each of the customers in the UT market is key

Each of the external contracts within the UT market are managed independently and include separate financial reporting deliverables for both Medicaid and NON-Medicaid funding sources

This role will work with multiple shared services teams (i.e., actuaries, controllership, underwriting, healthcare economics, IT/Reporting, quality assurance, etc.) to account for costs and update and maintain financial forecasts as well as monthly accounting/reporting

Frequent analysis of benefit expense results in partnership with actuaries, premium yields, operating expenses, identifying trends, variances, and potential performance opportunities and/or concerns at the account level

Lead development of business/financial case for strategic initiatives and/or capital investments

Collaborate with both the customer and/or behavioral health providers within the local market to help develop viable billing models for innovative services

Develop and execute strategies and implement controls to support these goals/objectives

This role will meet with a designated Optum underwriter throughout the year to review the annually Medicaid rate setting process along with communicating benefit expense trends occurring within the local markets and then work with the customer to negotiate annual rates changes with UT Medicaid to cover both the anticipated medical costs and corresponding administrative expenses

Proactively seek opportunities to improve processes

This role will be expected to assist on occasion RFP development and implementations post award, as well as other existing contract reviews and rate negotiations outside of the UT market

Models and promotes the core values of the Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake County Division of Behavioral Health Services and Optum Salt Lake County

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:

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related area

7+ years progressive financial planning and analysis experience in a corporate setting with career progression leading to increased financial responsibility and strategic planning oversight

Sound working knowledge of financial systems, statements and reports

Demonstrated communication skills and success partnering with, leading, and influencing multiple teams responsible for complex operations

Proven ability to perform a wide array of situational based financial analysis

Proven ability to complete complex projects and influence change in a fast-paced, matrix environment

Preferred Qualifications:

MBA and/or CPA (active or inactive)

3+ years of experience of Medicaid behavioral health

Experience working with Federal block grants and State grants

Experience leading a team of finance professionals

Working knowledge of Essbase, Peoplesoft and Hyperion Planning

Competencies:

Work in a self-directed manner and navigate less structured, more complex issues

Interact frequently with Directors and above across the organization in an effective and positive manner

Partner with cross-functional teams (HCE, actuarial, revenue, financial systems) effectively

Manage multiple tasks and requests simultaneously and prioritize efficiently

Apply solid analytical and organizational skills to solve moderately complex problems and conduct moderately complex analyses

Develop innovative approaches to improve how work is completed

Proven effective communicator at all levels in the organization with solid oral and written skills

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 a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Compensation

This Finance role pays $113k-$193k/yr. Within typical range for finance roles in United States.

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