Assoc Dir Marketing

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Director, Event Sourcing for UnitedHealth Group's Events Center of Excellence team will partner cross-functionally within a matrixed organization and lead a team of up to 2 sourcing specialists. This role is responsible for managing RFPs (Request for Proposal) phase for any UHG Events Center of Excellence events to ensure consistency with brand and corporate requirements (governance) across enterprise incentive travel programs, conferences, and strategic client events. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a desire to drive successful and productive outcomes on a consistent basis.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of sourcing specialists with effective people leadership through effective coaching, feedback, and people management practices
• Manage end-to-end complex conference/event/incentive venue sourcing and negotiations on behalf of business partners and stakeholders to identify viable event venues.
• Partner with UHG Corporate Security to analyze venue risk
• Develop, streamline, and create standards of excellence in designing and executing RFPs and viable venue proposals while keeping the business goals, event budgets and policies in alignment
• Review and manage relationships with existing and potential vendors, ensuring mature utilization of existing tools and roadmap development
• Provide ongoing work direction to Sourcing Specialists regarding venue proposals and scorecards
• Understand and keep up with the latest industry trends and emerging technologies in both live and virtual environments. Be a resource and subject matter expert the team can rely on
• Maintain and build solid collaborative relationships with cross-functional peers while adhering to established RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) / workstream guidelines for core teams accountable for conferences/events
• Partner with key stakeholders to understand the goals and objectives of the events

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:

• 10+ years of experience sourcing and contracting venues in a corporate setting; specific to events (sourcing hotels/venues/transportation providers/event elements)
• 10+ years of experience in a deadline driven environment
• 5+ years recent experience with event technology (Cvent); must have experience with Cvent's Supplier Network, Meeting Request Forms and RFPs
• 2+ years of proficiency in Microsoft office suite including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft PowerPoint, Teams; specifically intermediate to advanced skills with PowerPoint and Excel
• Proven pronounced negotiation skills specific to hotel room rate negotiation + all commercial terms within a hotel contract (rate, food & beverage minimums, room rental, concessions, comp room ratios, attrition clauses, rebook and resell clauses)
• Willing or ability to travel 20% of the time for event venue inspections and industry conferences; mainly within the United States but there will be non-domestic venues under consideration for incentive travel programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) Certification
• Experience in a strategic meeting management function within a Fortune 500 firm
• Demonstrated experience in preparing senior-level presentations and reports; ability to communicate and present information to internal and external customers.
• Proven ability to create and use pivot tables in Excel
• Proven highly motivated and decisive individual who is self-directed yet works well in a team
• Proven high EQ and solid relationship building skills

Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, manage projects and be highly organized
• Able to assess complex situations and make decisions and/or recommendations across departments and functions
• Confident in verbal and written communication with all levels of an organization, external partners, and vendors

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or Washington Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $104,700 to $190,400 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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