Associate Counsel Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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 General Counsel, Client Contracting is an experienced attorney responsible for negotiating, drafting, and advising on complex client contracts involving pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services and related healthcare offerings. This role provides legal support for significant client relationships and serves as a trusted advisor to business partners across Sales, Account Management, Finance, Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, and Operations.
The position requires substantive experience in commercial contracting, sound legal judgment, solid risk assessment capabilities, and the ability to balance legal and business considerations in a fast-paced environment. The attorney is expected to independently manage a substantial portfolio of contracting matters while collaborating with senior legal leaders on highly complex, precedent-setting, or enterprise-significant issues. This role operates with a meaningful degree of autonomy and is expected to proactively identify legal and business risks while supporting Optum Rx's business objectives and client relationships.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
Contract Leadership & Negotiation

• Serve as supporting attorney on complex client contracts, including PBM agreements, amendments, renewals, implementation documents, statements of work, and related healthcare services agreements
• Draft, review, and negotiate contractual terms involving financial guarantees, pricing arrangements, audit rights, performance standards, indemnification obligations, limitation of liability provisions, confidentiality requirements, and regulatory compliance obligations
• Support negotiations involving significant client relationships and increasingly complex contractual arrangements
• Advise business stakeholders on interpretation, administration, amendment, renewal, and termination of client agreements
• Assist in resolving contractual disputes, escalation issues, and interpretation questions

Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Provide legal counsel regarding contractual, operational, regulatory, and business risks
• Evaluate contract structures and proposed business arrangements to identify and mitigate legal exposure
• Communicate legal risks and recommendations effectively to business stakeholders and management
• Develop practical, business-oriented legal solutions that facilitate growth while managing risk appropriately
• Escalate novel, complex, or enterprise-wide legal issues as appropriate

Business Partnership & Collaboration

• Partner closely with Sales, Account Management, Finance, Operations, Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, and Product teams
• Support proposal development, RFP responses, implementation activities, and ongoing client relationship management efforts
• Collaborate with attorneys and legal professionals across Optum Rx and UnitedHealth Group on cross-functional initiatives
• Assist business partners in navigating legal and contractual challenges associated with client relationships

Professional Contribution

• Serve as a knowledgeable legal resource for PBM contracting and healthcare commercial transactions
• Support development of contract templates, playbooks, guidance documents, and contracting best practices
• Share knowledge with legal colleagues, contract professionals, and business stakeholders
• Participate in departmental initiatives designed to improve legal operations, contracting efficiency, and risk management processes

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:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 5+ years of legal experience involving complex commercial contracting within healthcare, PBM, managed care, health insurance, healthcare services, or a related industry
• Experience negotiating and drafting sophisticated commercial agreements
• Proven deep understanding of contract law and commercial risk allocation concepts
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple legal matters and client relationships
• Proven excellent written, verbal, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Proven ability to develop collaborative relationships with business and legal stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of legal experience supporting healthcare, PBM, managed care, health insurance, specialty pharmacy, or healthcare services organizations
• Experience negotiating PBM agreements, healthcare services agreements, employer contracts, health plan agreements, or other complex commercial arrangements
• Familiarity with healthcare regulatory requirements impacting PBM operations, including HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, state insurance laws, and related healthcare regulations
• In-house legal experience supporting commercial transactions or client contracting functions
• Experience supporting RFP responses, implementation activities, and strategic client relationships
• Demonstrated ability to provide practical legal advice in a dynamic business environment

Competencies & Success Factors

• Solid Legal Analysis: Demonstrates sound legal judgment in evaluating contractual, business, and regulatory issues.
• Effective Negotiation Skills: Successfully negotiates complex commercial agreements and contractual disputes.
• Business Acumen: Understands business objectives and aligns legal advice with operational needs.
• Client Focus: Builds effective working relationships with internal business partners and stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Clearly communicates legal concepts and risk assessments to varied audiences.
• Judgment & Accountability: Exercises appropriate judgment under pressure and manages competing priorities effectively.

Level & Scope

• The position has significant impact on client relationships, contractual obligations, and business operations.
• Regularly handles complex and high-value client agreements with meaningful legal and financial implications.
• Exercises substantial independent judgment within established legal and business frameworks.
• Supports strategic contracting initiatives and client relationships while partnering with senior legal leaders on enterprise-level matters.
• May provide informal guidance and mentoring to less experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and contracting personnel but generally does not have direct management responsibilities.

*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 to $230,800 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.