Location: Washington, DC
Date Posted: 07/22/2026
## UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well‑being company dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. Our Federal Government Affairs team plays a critical role in advancing that mission—engaging with policymakers, shaping public policy, and advocating for solutions that improve health care for millions of people.
We are seeking a Director of Federal Government Affairs focused on the Administration to serve as a key representative of the company before federal executive branch policymakers and stakeholders, with particular emphasis on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and related federal agencies. This individual will help develop and execute advocacy strategies on the company’s highest‑priority federal health care issues while building trusted relationships across the Administration, federal agencies, and the broader health policy community.
This role is ideal for an experienced health care policy professional, skilled advocate, strategic thinker, and relationship builder who understands how federal agencies operate and is passionate about advancing meaningful policy solutions that help improve health care in America.
You’ll be part of a high‑impact Federal Government Affairs team working at the intersection of policy, regulation, and health care—helping advance solutions that improve lives at scale. In this role, you’ll directly represent one of the nation’s leading health care companies before executive branch policymakers and help shape the federal policy and regulatory conversations that influence the future of health care.
If you are located in Washington, DC, you will follow a hybrid schedule with four in‑office days per week.
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## Primary Responsibilities
### Represent the company before federal executive branch policymakers
– **Executive Branch Advocacy** — Educate Administration officials, translate complex health care issues into compelling messages, and build understanding and support for the company’s priorities.
– **HHS & CMS Engagement** — Serve as a primary advocate for UnitedHealth Group with HHS, CMS, and other federal executive branch policymakers.
– **Stakeholder Relationship Building** — Build, strengthen, and maintain trusted relationships with key Administration officials, agency staff, and health policy stakeholders.
– **Professional Representation** — Represent the company’s priorities with professionalism, credibility, and integrity in every engagement.
### Shape and advance Administration‑focused advocacy strategies
– **Advocacy Strategy Development** — Develop and execute executive branch advocacy strategies that advance and protect the company’s federal policy objectives.
– **Regulatory Monitoring** — Anticipate, monitor, and influence regulatory, sub‑regulatory, and administrative developments that may impact the company.
– **Comprehensive Advocacy Campaigns** — Help drive advocacy campaigns leveraging direct agency engagement, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, coalitions, research, and external partnerships.
### Drive health policy and regulatory engagement
– **Executive Briefing Development** — Develop timely and compelling content including briefing materials, talking points, regulatory summaries, agency engagement materials, presentations, and leadership updates.
– **Policy Issue Distillation** — Distill complex health care policy and regulatory issues into clear recommendations and persuasive messaging.
– **Regulatory Awareness** — Stay current on evolving Administration priorities, agency actions, regulatory developments, health policy trends, and stakeholder perspectives.
### Partner across the enterprise
– **Cross‑Functional Collaboration** — Collaborate with business leaders, policy experts, legal and regulatory colleagues, and External Affairs teammates.
– **Executive Engagement Facilitation** — Facilitate executive engagement with Administration officials, agency staff, and federal health policy stakeholders.
– **External Partnerships** — Partner with consultants, industry organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders to maximize advocacy effectiveness.
– **Congressional Alignment** — Coordinate with congressional‑facing colleagues to ensure alignment with broader federal advocacy strategies.
### Strengthen how we operate
– **AI‑Driven Productivity** — Leverage AI and emerging technologies to improve productivity, accelerate research, and enhance advocacy effectiveness.
– **Continuous Improvement Culture** — Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.
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## Required Qualifications
– **Health Policy Experience** — 7+ years in health care policy, Executive Branch, federal agencies, government relations, public policy, advocacy, or related fields.
– **Regulatory Strategy Execution** — Experience developing and executing successful regulatory, policy, or advocacy strategies.
– **Federal Program Knowledge** — Solid knowledge of HHS, CMS, federal health care programs, and regulatory processes.
– **Professional Representation** — Proven track record of representing an organization with professionalism and integrity.
– **Communication & Negotiation** — Outstanding written and verbal communication, presentation, project management, and negotiation skills.
– **Policy Navigation** — Ability to navigate complex health care policy, regulatory, and stakeholder environments.
– **Washington, DC Residency** — Reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and able to work in a hybrid environment.
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## Preferred Qualifications
– **Federal Agency Experience** — Experience at HHS, CMS, OMB, the White House, or other federal agencies.
– **Health Industry Background** — Health care industry experience.
– **Program Expertise** — Experience with Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, pharmacy, health insurance, value‑based care, or delivery policy.
– **Senior Stakeholder Engagement** — Experience building relationships with Administration officials and senior health policy stakeholders.
– **Regulatory Comment Development** — Experience developing regulatory comments, agency engagement strategies, or policy analysis.
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## Compensation & Benefits
Pay is based on several factors including local labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications. In addition to salary, UnitedHealth Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase, and 401(k) contribution (subject to eligibility requirements). The salary range for this role is **$134,600 to $230,800 annually** based on full‑time employment. The company complies with all applicable minimum wage laws.
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## Commitment to Equity & Inclusion
UnitedHealth Group believes everyone—of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location, and income—deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Many barriers to good health disproportionately affect people of color, historically marginalized groups, and those with lower incomes. The company is committed to mitigating environmental impact and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes.
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## Equal Employment Opportunity
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, 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.
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