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 a Senior Account Manager, Client Services supporting Optum's Payment Network (S3 directed spend), you will own executive level merchant and partner relationships, drive network growth, and orchestrate cross functional execution across product, network integration, legal, operations, and analytics. You'll translate client goals into measurable outcomes-improving authorization rates, expanding benefit acceptance, and elevating the end to end merchant experience in a complex payments ecosystem. (For @context, S3 is a closed loop directed spend network that adjudicates transactions-including at SKU level-across integrated retail and digital channels.)
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities:
Own a portfolio of strategic merchants/partners: serve as primary executive contact; lead QBRs/MBRs; build multi year account plans tied to growth, performance, and experience outcomes
Drive measurable network performance across core KPIs such as transaction volume/value, authorization rate, settlement time, uptime/incident resolution, merchant activation and retention, chargeback/dispute rates, and adoption of value added services
Lead cross functional delivery with the Payment Network Integration team for merchant certification, POS/gateway/processor coordination, and change management (e.g., version upgrades, new BIN enablement), ensuring on time, high quality launches and post go live support
Translate client business objectives into product and operational roadmaps, prioritizing items that unlock spend coverage, compliance reporting, and member experience improvements; maintain a clear view of dependencies and risks
Partner with Legal/Compliance and Network Operations on agreement updates (e.g., Network Rules/MSAs), CMS alignment, and issue management; ensure clean governance and auditable decisions
Run disciplined account health routines: scorecards, action trackers, and readouts that highlight performance, risks, opportunities, and decisions needed; drive closure on actions
Advocate for the voice of the merchant with internal stakeholders; identify and remove friction in onboarding, reporting, billing, and support flows
Mentor peers and contribute to playbooks that scale best practices across the Client Services organization
Success measures (examples)
Merchant activation/retention and adoption of value added capabilities
Reduction in incident frequency and MTTR; improved NPS from merchant and plan members stakeholders
Delivery of committed roadmap milestones (e.g., certifications, version upgrades) on plan
Growth in spend coverage and program revenue across assigned accounts
These measures align with the standard network and merchant success metrics used in our account reviews
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 in enterprise client services or account management within payments, fintech, retail tech, or similar networked ecosystems
5+ years of managing operational and financial KPIs, including preparing executive-level readouts and driving data-driven decisions
6+ years of leading complex, multi-stakeholder programs involving merchants, processors, gateways, and product/engineering teams
3+ years of working with payment networks, merchant onboarding, or integration processes
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with network agreements/MSAs, merchant onboarding, and compliance/PCI considerations in healthcare or regulated environments
Prior responsibility for top tier retail/digital accounts and running structured MBR/QBR cadences with scorecards and action trackers
Work location & travel
Location: (Remote)
Travel: ~10-20% for merchant onsite reviews, industry events, and team onsites
Compensation & benefits (include per posting norms)
Salary Grade: SG 28 (internal classification)
Compensation: Target base $150,000 (final posted range may vary by location and applicable pay transparency requirements; include bonus/incentive eligibility as appropriate)
Comprehensive Optum/UnitedHealth Group benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, etc.)
*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 $89,900 to $160,600 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.
