Lead Rhode Island DSNP and Medicaid provider network strategy, ensure network adequacy and regulatory compliance, monitor and improve access, quality, cost, and provider experience, partner with enterprise contracting and cross-functional teams, support RFPs and market growth, and drive provider engagement and value-based initiatives.
Requisition Number: 2369862
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
The Director, Network Strategy & Performance, is responsible for leading provider network strategy, performance, and operational oversight for the Rhode Island DSNP and Medicaid lines of business. This role is accountable for ensuring the health plan delivers a high-performing, compliant, and competitive provider network that meets access, affordability, and quality expectations.
This leader will partner closely with UnitedHealthcare National (UHN) network and contracting teams to influence network development and execution, while maintaining full accountability for market-level outcomes.
If you are able to travel to Rhode Island office at least 10% of the time based on business needs, you will have the flexibility to work remotely*, as well as work in the office as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities:
Network Strategy & Market Leadership
Network Adequacy & Regulatory Oversight
Network Performance & Improvement
Enterprise Partnership (Network Contracting)
Provider Experience & Engagement
Cross-Functional Leadership & Growth
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:
Preferred Qualifications:
*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 $134,600 - $230,800 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. #UHCPJ
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.
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
The Director, Network Strategy & Performance, is responsible for leading provider network strategy, performance, and operational oversight for the Rhode Island DSNP and Medicaid lines of business. This role is accountable for ensuring the health plan delivers a high-performing, compliant, and competitive provider network that meets access, affordability, and quality expectations.
This leader will partner closely with UnitedHealthcare National (UHN) network and contracting teams to influence network development and execution, while maintaining full accountability for market-level outcomes.
If you are able to travel to Rhode Island office at least 10% of the time based on business needs, you will have the flexibility to work remotely*, as well as work in the office as you take on some tough challenges.
Primary Responsibilities:
Network Strategy & Market Leadership
- Lead development and execution of Rhode Island DSNP/Medicaid network strategy
- Identify network gaps and prioritize provider recruitment, expansion, and growth opportunities
- Align market strategy with enterprise network direction while ensuring local competitiveness
Network Adequacy & Regulatory Oversight
- Ensure compliance with federal and state network adequacy standards (e.g., time/distance, provider ratios)
- Lead audit readiness, regulatory submissions, and RFP-related network performance
- Serve as the accountable market leader for network compliance and access outcomes
Network Performance & Improvement
- Monitor network performance across access, quality, cost, and provider experience
- Drive action plans to address network gaps, provider access issues, and performance risks
- Partner with enterprise teams to advance value-based and performance-driven strategies
Enterprise Partnership (Network Contracting)
- Partner with UHN and contracting teams to influence provider recruitment and network build priorities
- Guide contracting strategy by translating Rhode Island market needs into actionable priorities
- Ensure alignment between enterprise execution and local network strategy
Provider Experience & Engagement
- Lead provider engagement strategy to improve satisfaction and ease of doing business
- Identify and address provider friction points and escalation trends
- Strengthen provider advocacy and support models in partnership with enterprise teams
Cross-Functional Leadership & Growth
- Lead network-related initiatives across health plan, clinical, compliance, and enterprise partners
- Support DSNP growth strategy and market expansion efforts
- Ensure a competitive, locally differentiated network aligned to Rhode Island market needs
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:
- 8+ years of healthcare experience, including provider network management
- 5+ years of leadership experience in a matrixed organization
- Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives
- Medicaid and/or DSNP programs
- Provider network strategy and performance
- CMS and state regulatory requirements
- Ability to travel to the Warwick office at least 10% of the time based on business need
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a model partnering with enterprise network/contracting teams (UHN/PROS)
- Experience supporting RFPs, network builds, or new market expansion
- Experience with Rhode Island Medicaid and/or DSNP programs
- Background in value-based care or provider performance management
*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 $134,600 - $230,800 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. #UHCPJ
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.
Similar Jobs at Optum
Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software • Analytics
Build and deploy AI-powered, LLM-based solutions in client environments: implement integrations, develop production-ready code, support cloud deployments, prepare data and prompts, troubleshoot, and collaborate with client and cross-functional teams while documenting and transferring knowledge to enable sustainable production adoption.
Top Skills:
APIsAWSAzureClaudeCodexData PipelinesDistributed SystemsGCPJavaLlmsPrompt EngineeringPythonSQL
Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software • Analytics
Partner with healthcare clients to discover, design, and deliver production-grade AI/LLM solutions. Architect cloud-native systems, build and deploy ML/LLM applications, prototype rapidly, troubleshoot distributed systems, and lead client engagements to drive measurable business outcomes while collaborating across product, platform, and engineering teams.
Top Skills:
APIsAWSAzureClaudeCodexGCPLlmsMachine LearningPrompt Engineering
Artificial Intelligence • Big Data • Healthtech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software • Analytics
Partner with healthcare clients to design, prototype, and deploy production-grade AI/LLM solutions. Lead discovery, architecture, cloud integration, and delivery while troubleshooting distributed systems and driving measurable client outcomes.
Top Skills:
APIsAWSAzureClaudeCloud-NativeCodexDistributed SystemsGoogle Cloud Platform (Gcp)LlmsMachine LearningModel DeploymentPrompt Engineering
What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene
Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.
Key Facts About Boston Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
- Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories

